English Student & Faculty Research

English majors can choose a variety of capstone experiences, including student-faculty research. Students often travel to undergraduate conferences to present the results of their work.

Recent Research Projects:

ENG 430 Multimedia Feature Writing (Spring 2019) and Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lebanon: “Feature Writing on Veterans”

Students worked collaboratively with Professor Jaime Fettrow-Alderfer and local veterans to interview and capture their experiences. This opportunity allowed students to hone their interviewing skills while learning to weave descriptive storytelling into their nonfiction writing. The goal was to provide local veterans with the opportunity to share their unique stories and experiences and to foster connections and a better understanding of how “service” experience shapes the lives of the individual. According to the Center, through “sharing veteran stories that highlight life experiences that otherwise might not be told,” this collaboration meaningfully resulted for veterans in: “improved mood, support of strength and resilience, decreased sense of being alone, and an increased sense of self-worth and connection.” The publication was distributed to all participating veterans and is now housed in the Lebanon Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Rachael Speck ’20: “Public-ation: Poetry in Everyday Spaces”

Based on ongoing interdisciplinary research and creative productions developed across a number of English courses, Rachael has presented her work on what she has called “public poetics” at multiple national conferences. In November 2019, she will travel to the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association in San Diego, California, to share her most recent research, which focuses on the intersection of poetry and film within expanded cinema.

Megan Finlan ’21: “#BlackGirlPower: Black Women and Their Impact on Social Media through Social Movements”

A continuation of research which began as part of the Black Lives Matter Undergraduate Research Symposium at LVC. She was chosen to present her work at the 17th Annual Undergraduate Research at the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg in spring 2019.

Claire Fitzgibbons ’20: “Beyond the Laces: Feminist Sneaker Culture & The Politics of Style”

She presented her research at the Popular Culture Association’s (PCA’s) National Conference in Washington, D.C. in spring 2019.