Undergraduate Wins First Prize in Sociological Research Contest
MADISON, NJ—Marshfield, Massachusetts, resident Shannon Daley took
first place in the Eastern Sociological Society’s annual undergraduate
research awards. Daley’s project focused on the racial identities of
U.S. immigrants. She beat out 37 other college-aged researchers for
the honor.
“My research focused on two identities that are frequently adopted
by black, Caribbean immigrants—‘black American’ and ‘ethnic,’” said
Daley, a junior sociology major. “When reading about the topic, I
found that most prior research ignored the reasons why members of the
second generation would adopt a racial identity or an ethnic one.”
Adhering to the scientific method, Daley’s research began with a
question: What influences a minority immigrant’s decision to embrace
his or her racial identity? The findings are four-pronged: residential
location, socio-economic status, perception of racial discrimination
and understanding of the racial hierarchy.
Daley’s paper and winning poster grew out of work in two of her
sociology classes: Sociology of Immigration with Dr. Caitlin Killian
and Race & Ethnicity with Dr. Kesha Moore. “Shannon’s project shows
her skill using sociological research and analysis to address important
questions about immigrant identities.” said Assistant Professor of
Sociology Susan Rakosi Rosenbloom, who organized the students’ trip to
the conference. “Her big win at the ESS meeting is a credit to the
sociology faculty’s talent for mentoring and inspiring future scholars.
We want our students to be well-prepared for graduate school where
ability to perform rigorous research is expected.”
Daley wasn’t the only Drew student to present research at the ESS
event. Senior Melissa Toner also shared her project with members of
the society. Under the guidance of Dr. Susan Rakosi Rosenbloom and Dr.
Jonathan Reader, also of Drew’s sociology department, Toner focused her
research on media portrayals of single mothers.
“Drew’s participation in February’s Annual Meeting gave our 10
student conference-goers the motivation to pursue or continue their own
research,” concluded Rosenbloom. “Our students understand that the
skills and ideas they learn in the classroom have implications for the
social world in which they live. They saw firsthand how sociological
research is shared and scrutinized at a professional conference. I
expect more Drew students to become engaged in research projects with
our supportive faculty.”
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Posted: March 4, 2008
