From Scotland Street to the World: Student researchers reflect on Fall 2021 events

By Caroline Mahoney ’22

In the midst of changing circumstances due to the pandemic, GRI aimed to maintain high-quality research and learning experiences for students. One key part of the Institute’s approach involved hosting hybrid events, which allowed students to attend guest lectures, Q&A sessions, book talks, and other internationally-focused events virtually or in-person. 

This hybrid model accommodated attendees’ preferences and comfort, while giving students the agency to define how they want to engage in ten different events throughout the Fall 2021 semester. Former PIPS Fellow Lauren Boyes ’22 — who attended IJL Nexus events — said that initiatives like this help fortify students’ decision-making abilities, keep the community safe, and expose students to new and enriching information. The IJL Nexus series, for instance, invites International Relations scholars from around the country to share their research and engage William & Mary students in a Q&A.

“It’s a really important thing for undergraduates to feel empowered and cared for in their learning and in their research,” Boyes said. “I think students care more about … what they’re doing when they feel like they have a say in it, or they feel like they’re being treated like adults. I think GRI gives that space to undergraduates to really grow and find their passion so that they can take that with them to their career.”

Consistent with GRI’s mission, events such as the Nexus talks help students with their career discernment by demonstrating  the practical applications of class concepts.

“That’s always a really cool thing to get to experience,” Boyes said. “It’s always good to see more abstract theoretical things that you learn in class get applied to the real world. Getting to experience more real-world research or applied research with people who have been in the field for a long time takes it from theory to what people actually do.” 

Students are not only instrumental members of the audience at GRI events, but are also helpful in identifying potential speakers to invite to campus. GRI Innovation Fellow Caroline Morin ’22 suggested a collaboration between the Institute and geoLab, where she serves as a Senior Program Manager. The resulting event featured a Q&A session with Jon Pelson, author of Wireless Wars: China’s Dangerous Domination of 5G and How We’re Fighting Back.

“I’ve also been grateful to have a forum where I can both attend and host these speakers,” Morin said. It has really been a pleasure to see other students learn about new things.”

Engaging with GRI’s guest speakers — whether virtually or in-person — can spark curiosities and propel students toward new inquiries in research.

“The Pelson talk provided me with insights on China’s strategy in the 5G realm,” Morin said. “These insights have encouraged me to consider other perspectives when analyzing China’s foreign policy. The perspectives, insights, research, and policy highlighted in the GRI’s speaker events give students the opportunity to leave their potentially narrow research field and comprehend how a phenomenon is conceptualized outside of or in a different part of the ivory tower.” 

An expanded awareness of key global policy challenges is also a takeaway of working at GRI for Sarah Larimer ’23, a Research Assistant in AidData’s Research and Evaluation Unit. During the Fall 2021 Research Showcase event, Larimer presented to an in-person audience of 35 and a virtual audience of about 20. She began in her role during the pandemic, so the Showcase was a special time for her to connect with peers, share what she’s been working on, and learn how other student researchers tackle problems.

“I wanted to feel more connected to the GRI community and also hear about the other work,” Larimer said. “I know for me personally, [GRI] has been a great way to apply the skills I’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations and problems.” 

Modifying the traditional in-person events to accommodate a virtual audience has allowed GRI to remain a stable part of students’ college experiences, despite other uncertainties that have taken hold. 

“GRI gives students the necessary context for classes by providing students with opportunities to engage in meaningful research,” Morin said. “I cannot imagine my college experience being solely limited to learning in the classroom, and luckily for me, I don’t have to because of GRI.”

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