Research Symposium

BIO

Hi everyone! I'm Shabely and I am a transfer student from Miami, FL! Some of my research interests include social neuroscience and cultural sociology! In the near future, I hope to be a PhD student doing research in the field to help us better understand how our interactions with others shape us! While I am very passionate about psychology, I also believe it's important to recognize the influences of the people and social world around us. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading books, playing music, listening to podcasts and spending time with my family!

En Busca de Communidad: Finding "Home" in Scholarly Fields

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the pool of faculty and staff members working in higher education has diversified. With this increase in diversity in scholarly institutions comes amplified voices for underrepresented communities. However, with the stressors found in these institutions, it is difficult for marginalized peoples to find community in these often rigid spaces — particularly for Latina scholars. In recent years, Latina women working in academic spaces have had to forge their own place within fields established by predominant narratives. This is not only true for academics, but also for those who work in proximity or within museums. Centered in ethnographic research and secondary literary analysis, this study focuses on Latina women’s experiences in scholarly institutions. Fostering a sense of community and expanding upon knowledge is essential for Latinas to have their place in these fields. By building community amongst Latina scholars, young Latinas are shown that they belong in these spaces, and that representation goes a long way.

Keywords: community, latina, scholar, placemaking, belonging