UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #1151 | Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement

Submission information

Submission Number: 1151

Submission ID: 20351

Submission UUID: 4d81488b-6430-433a-9f8c-2202cff5340c

Submission URI: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal

Submission Update: /urop-research-mentor-project-submission-portal?token=vftVTepDRayD2O4w48bhUIJcjPvyvZVztlgG4t3zkAQ

Created: Thu, 08/14/2025 - 08:05 PM

Completed: Thu, 08/14/2025 - 08:05 PM

Changed: Mon, 08/25/2025 - 01:24 PM

Remote IP address: 76.101.105.36

Submitted by: Anonymous

Language: English

Is draft: No

Webform: UROP Project Proposal Portal

Submitted to: UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal

Research Mentor Information

Primary Research Mentor Name Santiago Reyes

Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

When potential research assistants are reaching out via email, what is your preferred honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) sr20n@fsu.edu

Position Title Graduate Student

Faculty Advisor Name Sindy Chapa

Faculty Advisor's FSU Email schapa@fsu.edu

FSU College (if applicable) Communication and Information

FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation Florida State University

Headshot (optional) {Empty}

Additional Research Mentor(s)

Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above) Alessandra Noli Peschiera

Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) anolipeschiera@fsu.edu

Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable) {Empty}

Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns {Empty}

Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific? {Empty}

Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated) {Empty}

Overall Project Details

Title of the Project Defining Cultural Credibility: Consumer Perceptions of Authenticity in Brand Campaigns

Project Keywords Cultural identity, Branding, Advertising, Marketing

Are you currently looking for research assistants? Yes

Number of Research Assistants Needed 2

Relevant Research Assistant Major(s) Open to all majors

Project Location: On FSU Main Campus

If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation? Yes

Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s): In-person

Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work? 5

Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work? Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)

Overall Research Project Description In an era where brands seek cultural alignment to build trust and relevance, cultural authenticity and “credibility” has become a key component of successful branding strategies. However, while brands often borrow from multicultural aesthetics, consumers are increasingly critical of inauthentic or performative representation. The study investigates the cues that signal authenticity such as storytelling, representation, and collaboration, and how audiences distinguish between cultural appreciation and appropriation. Drawing on theories of social identity, symbolic convergence, and reception, the project aims to uncover what makes a person or campaign feel genuinely representative, and how cultural icons are constructed and validated in the eyes of the consumer.

Research Tasks Literature review, data analysis, conducting focus groups

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Recommended: familiarity with field of study, qualitative data analysis
Required: Written communication, Attention to detail

Mentoring Philosophy I believe in building a respectful, trusting relationship where mentees feel safe to learn, ask questions, and make mistakes. My approach focuses on understanding each person’s goals and strengths, encouraging ownership of their work, and providing guidance through shared experiences. I aim to inspire growth by offering both support and challenges, fostering the skills and confidence needed for long-term success.

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable): https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=M5TkGkUAAAAJ&hl=en

Please add any additional information here (if applicable): {Empty}

Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable? No

Roundtable times and Zoom links {Empty}

UROP Program Elements

Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication Yes

UROP Performance Evaluation Yes

Materials Grant Yes

UROP Poster Presentation Yes

Faculty Advisor Confirmation Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series? Yes

{Empty}

Year 2025