For Undergraduate Research Week, we’re featuring interviews with our senior honors thesis students about their work in progress.
What encouraged you to get involved in research?
I wanted to be able to immerse myself in a topic I had a lot of interest in (especially one that relates to my personal heritage), as well as synthesize my own thoughts to have a conversation with the scholars of that field. Research lets me do both of those things.
Briefly, what is your research about?
I am researching the film Water for its content and controversy and more broadly studying the use of widows as political objects by colonialist powers and modern Hindu Nationalists.
What do you like most about your work?
I like studying history and learning about the activism of those before me, as well as exploring facets of my own heritage and culture.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from this experience (so far)?
From my research, I’m coming to understand the truth behind the statement “history repeats itself”, as I am seeing themes of my research reflected in modern times. Also, to write down every fleeting thought I have regarding my research, no matter how unimportant I think it is, because they usually turn out being extremely helpful to me when writing.
What has been the most difficult part of your research experience (so far)?
Writing, and trying to put down my abstract thoughts in a way that others can understand on paper.
What do you want to do as a career, and do you think you might want a career that involves research?
I would like to have a career in medicine, but I always envision myself conducting research in the future.
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