Student Spotlight – Lilly Angel
Meet UCLA undergraduate researcher Lilly Angel!
Lilly Angel majors in American Literature and Culture and minors in Chicano/Central American Studies and is in our Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF)! The title of her project is “Radical Love & Solidarity: Reading the Families of the Incarcerated.” She focuses on how her research will help change the way society looks at the incarcerated and the practices within the prison industrial complex. Her best piece of advice is to do what sets you off, not what people “think” you should do.
How did you first get interested in your research project?
Through AAP’s summer transfer program; shout out to Professors San Juan and Huehls.
What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?
Seeing it come to life. I went from thinking I could never do research or even understand HOW research in English could exist to now slowly create connections and applying it to a project close to my heart.
What has surprised you about your research or the research process?
How non linear it truly is! I’m use to having things set up in a plan, but I’ve had to learn to be comfortable with not knowing and enjoying the process.
What is one piece of advice you have for other UCLA students thinking about doing research?
Do what sets you off. Follow that path, don’t go for what people “think” you should study.
What effect do you hope your research has in your field, at UCLA, in your community, or in the world?
I hope my research in addition to being the basis for continuing into graduate school will help change the way society looks at the incarcerated and their incarcerated in addition to the practices within the prison industrial complex.
