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Student Spotlight – Frank Godinez

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Meet UCLA undergraduate researcher Frank Godinez!

Frank majors in Sociology and Political Science and is a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow. The title of his project is “Police, Nonprofits and the Carceral Web.” Frank studies critical theory, Marxist theory, carceral capitalism, and the police state, and is using his research to employ a critical approach in advocating for/creating epistemologies that dignify and assert the agency of those harmed by—and who’ve resisted—systems of oppression. His best piece of advice is to read about a topic that interests you and don’t be so strict about the research process.

How did you first get interested in your research project?

I took a methods course that came really easy to me, and one day, I came across a section on ethnography. I remember thinking, “Wow, this is research?” Over the break, I read a book mentioned in our textbook, Sudhir Venkatesh’s Gang Leader for a Day. Being from South Central and system-impacted, I remember having so many critiques of the project. So, when I took Dr. Jason Sexton’s Sociology of Crime course, and the final project was a research project, I knew what I was going to do. I conducted a small ‘ethnography’ documenting the oral histories of (former) gang members, reconciling their narratives with larger sociohistorical and political-economic trends. At the same time, I connected with Dr. David Turner and joined his Abolition and Youth Organizing lab on campus, where we have been researching the Police Free Schools Campaign throughout LA County. Dr. Turner recommended that I apply to an SR-EIP program, and so I did. I got into UChicago’s Summer program and spent nine weeks in Chicago working with Dr. Robert Vargas on an independent project that looked at police philanthropy (private funding of police departments). After the summer, I decided I wanted to turn my project into a senior thesis and was encouraged by Dr. Vargas to work with Dr. Chris Herring at UCLA on my project. Since then, I’ve been admitted into the Mellon Mays Program while also working as a Bunche Research Fellow for Dr. Turner. I’ll continue multiple projects over my next quarters at UCLA.

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

I love falling into rabbit holes. And I love it when I find a source that is right on the money of the question/topic I’m interested in exploring. Specifically, I study critical theory, Marxist theory, carceral capitalism, and the police state. I also view my interest in the politics of abolition as a large, interconnected struggle, and seeing how there are so many different angles people have taken or that I can take in interrogating social life and institutions gives me hope. I also really enjoy that my research is grounded in a commitment to my community, and I would never want my research to be divorced from topics that are informed by my own personal experiences and identities.

What has surprised you about your research or the research process?

Probably just how iterative and creative you can be with it. I think there are specific recipes for what ‘traditional’ (social) science research looks like, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. It doesn’t have to be a step-by-step process like a controlled life sciences study. So, I try to be as creative as possible when I piece together what different authors have said about topics like carceral capitalism or what it even means. You’ll find that people trained differently (e.g., geographers/sociologists/public health) will offer different, interdisciplinary perspectives. This produces really complex and complicated pictures/answers to a lot of the social problems pressing us today. So, I try to unlearn a lot of strictly binary ways of thinking and or understanding things, especially social life.

What is one piece of advice you have for other UCLA students thinking about doing research?

Just read. Read about a topic that interests you and try to develop a question. It doesn’t have to be precise. Not unless you’re committing to a research program or something. Also, don’t be so strict with the process. Research is so iterative that you can approach it from so many different angles. Be it qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods – the choice is yours. That’s also why reading what other people have read can be a good starting point.

What effect do you hope your research has in your field, at UCLA, in your community, or in the world?

I am optimistic that I can someday become a leading scholar in urban sociological research with expertise in various specialized topics (policing, youth organizing, gangs, law, and policy) supplemented by my own lived experience to influence policy and the critical analysis of social and political institutions. I recognize that as a system-impacted male of color, I offer a lens that is highly underrepresented in the academy. My lived experience inspires me to employ a critical approach in advocating for/creating epistemologies that dignify and assert the agency of those harmed by—and who’ve resisted—systems of oppression.

Student Spotlight – Madison Lee

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Meet UCLA undergraduate researcher Madison Lee!

Madison majors in Sociology and minors in Mathematics for Teaching and Education Studies. The title of her project is “What factors dissuade/compel HASS faculty to mentor undergraduate researchers at UCLA?” Her work explores how to expand HASS research opportunities for undergraduates at UCLA by increasing faculty mentorship and the benefits of conducting HASS research. Madison’s best piece of advice is to pursue what you are passionate about and persevere in the face of adversity.

How did you first get interested in your research project?

When I came to UCLA, I knew that I wanted to do research, but I struggled with finding a mentor. I developed a research project and asked numerous faculty members to be my mentor, but most of them declined because they were preoccupied with other duties. When I was offered a chance to do research over the summer on factors that affect faculty willingness to mentor undergraduates, I was excited at the opportunity to conduct research on a topic that had affected me directly.

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

After a few months of research, I and two other UCLA undergraduate researchers were selected to join the Council on Undergraduate Research’s Scholars Transforming Through Research (STR) Program. Through STR, we traveled to Washington, D.C., to talk to education representatives from Senator Alex Padilla’s, Representative Ted Lieu’s, and Representative Nanette Barragán’s offices. We advocated for increasing HASS undergraduate research opportunities nationwide so that other HASS students can benefit from research experiences. It was exciting to explore Washington, D.C., and the Capitol, and this experience opened my eyes to the possibilities of HASS research and the power I have as a UCLA undergraduate.

What has surprised you about your research or the research process?

I was surprised to find out how little people know about HASS research. Before this year, I did not know much about HASS undergraduate research opportunities, and I never imagined myself as capable of conducting research as a project lead. When conducting a literature review, I was also surprised to discover little existing literature on HASS research and its impact on participants. Although I started out not knowing much, this experience has helped me grow as a person and opened my eyes to the possibilities of HASS research. The freedom associated with doing HASS research has increased my self-efficacy and confidence in my abilities as a sociologist.

What is one piece of advice you have for other UCLA students thinking about doing research?

Find a topic you are passionate about, and do not give up on it. My research has taught me that if you can’t find a mentor, it is not a reflection of your abilities or potential as a researcher. Instead, it is an unfortunate outcome of the lack of compensation or support for HASS faculty to mentor undergraduates. We need more HASS researchers, so keep reaching out to faculty. Even if they are unable to be a mentor, they can help you improve your proposal as you search for a different mentor. If you are not sure what to research yet, apply for URC–HASS programs to dip your toes into research.

What effect do you hope your research has in your field, at UCLA, in your community, or in the world?

I hope to increase HASS research opportunities for undergraduates so that more students can benefit from the experience. I also hope to help people understand the importance and value of HASS fields. Our society places a bigger emphasis on STEM fields, which delegitimizes people who are interested in HASS fields. However, everyone has their own contributions to the world, and we should not base people’s values on their interests. I hope to change people’s perspectives on the STEM-HASS divide and inspire more interdisciplinary work because both types of work are valuable.

Student Spotlight – Rachel Peterson

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Meet UCLA undergraduate researcher Rachel Peterson!

Rachel Peterson is a Keck Fellow majoring in Sociology and enrolled in the UCLA Sociology Departmental Honors Program. The title of her project is “Faith and Fact: Evangelical Christian Networks and Belief Compatibility with Conspiracy Theories.” Her work explores the potential belief compatibility of Christian doctrine and conspiracies in conjunction with social networks. Rachel’s best piece of advice is to go for it because there is no better way to learn than just doing it!

How did you first get interested in your research project?

As a Sociology major, I am fascinated by reification. The idea is that if humans believe something is real, it is real in its consequences. This concept is especially relevant to conspiracy theories. In recent years, I became aware of increased theories surrounding American politics and the pandemic. While conspiracy theories range in extremity and may seem harmless, they have the power to motivate human action which can produce dire consequences. I began to be interested in researching the spread of conspiracies when finding out that people I knew ascribed to these theories as facts. They believe powerful conspiring agents hide the truth that only a select few uncover. Additionally, I saw religion being used to support conspiracy worldviews. As I became aware of conspiracies spreading among my own Christian acquaintances, I knew this was a topic I wanted to research. While not all conspiracies are directly religious in nature, some scholars have found a positive correlation between Christian religiosity and the endorsement of conspiracy theories. My research expands on existing scholarship by examining the potential belief compatibility of Christian doctrine and conspiracies in conjunction with social networks.

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

One of the most interesting aspects of my research has been conducting ethnographic fieldwork and interviews in an evangelical community. For three months I attended a small church where I documented interactions with church members and transcribed the sermons. This was a nerve-racking but rewarding experience. After my initial apprehension of being undercover for the sake of research, I found a way of being in a space that felt true to myself. Being immersed in the world I was researching provided me with essential insight into the social network of the church. The sermons and conversations also gave me the context to frame my future interview questions. The people I met at church seemed more open to interviews because of my fieldwork. While I used to think interviewing was straightforward, the process of facilitating a good interview is more work than it may seem. To collect relevant data the interviewer must prepare while also improvising when things don’t go to plan. Not only is preparation involved but one must be sure not to lead participants in any direction through expression, tone, or the questions asked. It has been an exciting process of honing my interview skills and seeing the results. I have found that even if I think I know where the interview is going, so often I’m surprised. Humans are complex beings. That’s part of the fun of studying the social world.

What has surprised you about your research or the research process?

I didn’t expect my own experience to be essential to my research. Throughout the research process, I have been very aware of my own connection to conspiracies and religion. My project was birthed out of seeing people I knew become consumed by conspiracy theories. Additionally, I grew up in a Christian household. When conducting my research I wanted to be aware of any biases and assumptions I had so that they would not interfere. Yet, as I was doing ethnographic fieldwork and interviews I realized I had an important insight into the mindsets of those I was studying. I can decipher what might seem incomprehensible to those outside of a religious context because that used to be my reality. Additionally, I have the framework to ask unassuming yet critical questions in my interviews. Rather than deluding myself into thinking I could be completely unbiased, I have come to understand that my lived experience is an asset to my research. Furthermore, I have been able to gain various perspectives on my data from my graduate student and faculty mentors. I am no longer afraid of researching a topic that connects to me.

What is one piece of advice you have for other UCLA students thinking about doing research?

I would advise students thinking of doing research to go for it. I was apprehensive to undertake a year-long independent research project because I didn’t think I had enough pew-requisite knowledge. Many students limit themselves because of self-doubt. One of the main purposes of undergraduate research is to equip students with the skills needed. There is no better way to learn than just doing it. You are not alone. I would also recommend asking many questions and being persistent in advocating for the help and resources you need.

What effect do you hope your research has in your field, at UCLA, in your community, or in the world?

I hope that my research can bring a more intricate understanding of a complex topic. While conspiracies are not new, with easy access to information via the internet, conspiracy movements have gained traction. These ideologies are not just relegated to ideas but influence action. This is evident in the indecent known as “Pizzagate” where a man broke into a pizzeria with an AR-15 because he thought kids were being imprisoned by a covert group of traffickers for satanic sacrifice. Explanations for events like these can not be reduced to one characteristic or affiliation. My work can add to scholarship surrounding the spread of conspiracies which can be useful for preventing misinformation. Though my research focuses on a specific community of people, much can be learned about ideologies propagated by Christian institutions that may be compatible with conspiracy beliefs. Sociologists have found that people are more likely to accept new beliefs if they are compatible with previously held worldviews and if they are shared by someone that person is closely connected to. My research is investigating how a close-knit religious network, with shared spiritual and often political views, could be conducive to conspiracy beliefs. I hope that my work adds to existing scholarship on conspiracy theories and be a launching point for further investigations.

Student Spotlight – Sophia Han-Yun Chang

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Meet UCLA undergraduate researcher Sophia Han-Yun Chang!

Sophia Han-Yun Chang majors in Sociology and is in our Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. The title of her project is “Performative Political Engagement on Twitter in the Generation of Cancel Culture.” Her work explores how people interact on Twitter under polarization and cancel culture, and how Twitter leads people to behave in such a way. Her best piece of advice is to make a doable time management plan and stick to it.

How did you first get interested in your research project?

My interest in this project stemmed from my daily conversation and experience with social media, particularly Twitter. As the largest microblogging platform, Twitter became a primary medium for political communication and a motivator for political engagement. The cancel culture I observed on Twitter made me wonder how Twitter, as an online social platform shapes political discourse. Also, applying Goffman’s theory, just as in-person social interaction, mediated interaction may involve impression management in which people perform particular political views to construct a digital identity. It is interesting to investigate how people interact on Twitter under the polarization and cancel culture, and how Twitter leads people to behave in such a way.

What has been the most exciting aspect of your research so far?

The most exciting part was learning through interviewing people. As a novice in the field of interviews, I made many mistakes that I should have avoided, such as switching topics too frequently. Although I learned the rules and tips for interviews through the class, the real-life experience was not the same as what the books wrote. Therefore, I was stressed about interviewing people at the beginning. However, as time passed, the interview memos of the previous interviews helped me improve my interview skills effectively. Gradually, I found myself enjoying doing interviews. It became the most exciting part of the research process as I was excited to become a better interviewer and explore the research topic by collecting data.

What has surprised you about your research or the research process?

I was surprised by people’s polarized experiences with Twitter despite using the same platform. I started the research assuming people might have similar experiences. Still, it turned out that the experiences varied depending on the user’s habits, and there was certainly a pattern behind them. I am excited to analyze the fascinating and surprising data to learn about social media’s influence on mediated interactions.

What is one piece of advice you have for other UCLA students thinking about doing research?

I would like to say making a doable time management plan and following the plan is very helpful to researchers. After a quarter of research, I realized that time management was essential to researchers. Time passes surprisingly fast when it comes to research, and each step might take longer than you expected. For instance, I thought recruiting interviewees might take just a few weeks, but I ended up needing more interviewees in the first quarter. Unexpected outcomes like this may lead to difficulties in time management. Also, it is a challenging task to manage time when we have many other responsibilities at school and personal life.

What effect do you hope your research has in your field, at UCLA, in your community, or in the world?

Given the lack of qualitative research and small data analysis on social interactions on Twitter, I hope my research could contribute to existing scholarship on the influence of social media on social justice by discovering the nuance of mediated social interaction in political engagement. Also, by exploring the hidden side of social media, I hope my research can bring new insight into our daily use of social media.