Researching Your Roots: What's at Stake When Conducting Hometown Research
| dc.contributor.author | Roberts, Evelyn | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2015-08-24T15:45:18Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2015-08-24T15:45:18Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2014-10-17 | |
| dc.date.gradyear | 2015 | en_US |
| dc.date.issued | 2015-08-24 | |
| dc.description.abstract | In the past sixty years in the United States, many sports teams at the high school and university level have switched from their Native American mascots to something less controversial. After two years of debate, in 2009, Natick, Massachusetts, (my hometown) was added to the list of towns that relinquished their high school mascot: the Natick Redmen. These decisions are rarely easy, often dividing communities between political and personal beliefs. Interested in the ties between identity, memory, and community, I chose to conduct independent research this summer on Natick’s mascot debate. Researching in my hometown, however, was more complicated than I anticipated. My experience this summer has left me reflecting on the question: in what ways can personal identity influence your role as a researcher? | en_US |
| dc.description.panabstract | When you look forward to a summer conducting research or starting an internship, do you anticipate that your identity will shape your experience? Although we are often taught to keep personal and professional lives separate, these four panelists found that their racial/ethnic identities and hometowns were actually sources of inspiration when seeking internship opportunities or developing research topics.“Good research” is often judged on the basis of the researcher’s ability to remain objective from beginning to end. But, is it possible to “leave your identity at the door” when beginning an internship or conducting independent research? | en_US |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10166/3725 | |
| dc.language.iso | en_US | en_US |
| dc.rights.restricted | public | en_US |
| dc.title | Researching Your Roots: What's at Stake When Conducting Hometown Research | en_US |
| dc.title.alternative | Leave Your Bags at the Door: Navigating Personal and Home Identities | en_US |