Emory College of Arts and Science’s Department of Sociology rewrote the definition of research for Maria Jose Silva, an anthropology and human biology major.
Before enrolling in sociology coursework, Silva had thought a career in research was limited. She envisioned only a handful of positions waiting for her, including college professor, laboratory scientist or pharmacist conducting clinical trials.
But the sophomore now sees research possibilities in every post-college position, including her future goal of working in the medical field.
“I thought it was more about looking at cells and things like that,” Silva said. “Here at Emory, they emphasize it’s not just about getting in a lab and titrating. It’s about looking at the whole world. You really analyze everything.”
Undergraduate research experiences such as Silva’s were the centerpiece of the 44th annual SouthEastern Undergraduate Sociology Symposium (SEUSS), a joint effort between Emory University and Morehouse College held on Emory’s Atlanta campus this spring.
The Morehouse Department of Sociology and Emory College’s Data and Decision Sciences Department also joined the symposium to shine a light on the academic benefits and impact on society that undergraduate work in sociology can have.
The two-day event included a banquet — featuring Emory alumnus Steven Foy as keynote speaker — and sociological research presentations from students at universities across the Southeast. Emory and Morehouse take turns hosting the symposium each year.
SEUSS offers students the chance to present original sociological research in 12-15 minute presentations before their peers and faculty, said Megan Reed, co-chair of the symposium and an assistant professor of sociology at Emory. During the presentations, students lay out their research questions and explain their conclusions. The event — which was open to students in sociology as well as other majors — also helped them hone critical public speaking skills.
According to Reed, “SEUSS is a cherished tradition here at Emory.”
Participating students hailed from Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech, the University of Tennessee, Columbus State University, Spelman College, Georgia Tech, Agnes Scott College, Rhodes College and Morehouse. Six students represented Emory.
Foy, who graduated from Emory in 2007 and is now a professor of sociology at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, told students that the study of sociology is critical to understanding how society works.
Foy quoted sociology giant C. Wright Mills, saying, “By the fact of living, we contribute, however minutely, to the shaping of this society and to the course of its history, even as we are made by society and its historical push and shove.”
He encouraged students to challenge themselves and to be open to constructive criticism from professors. Foy recalled that when he presented at the symposium, he faced tough questions, which initially shook his confidence.
But after careful thought, Foy, who is also co-director of the Texas Alliance for Research on Sociological Issues, embraced the feedback.
“The reason why I got hard questions was because people took my work seriously,” he said. “They cared.”
Joe Crespino, interim dean of Emory College, told those gathered at the banquet that sociology students are not just recipients of knowledge, but producers of it.
“Sociology, perhaps more than any other discipline, asks us to look closely at the world that we inhabit, to examine the structures, its equities, solidarities and its contradictions, and to do so with vigor and with care,” said Crespino, who is also the Jimmy Carter Professor of History.
Thien Nguyen, a senior majoring in both sociology and economics, agreed. Emory helped him develop qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills, both of which will be critical to his future goal of becoming a professor. But Nguyen also learned the importance of listening and authenticity in research.
His symposium presentation addressed how first-generation college students manage additional work responsibilities on top of their schoolwork and the subsequent mental health effects.
“There are structural barriers that shape how different students experience the consequences of work-school conflict,” said Nguyen.
Gabriel Vu shared that Emory is the best place to learn these lessons because the college ensures that students have direct contact with professors.
“Having that one-on-one mentorship helps in understanding what I need to do and what my responsibilities are,” said Vu, who is studying sociology with a minor in data science. “That direct feedback is really helpful.”
Hera Oh, a senior majoring in sociology with a minor in religion, credited Emory with helping her develop public speaking skills, creativity and the confidence to choose the right research project. For her, that project addressed the relationship between political affiliation and mental health. The more articles she read during her research, the more efficient she became at deciding what information was relevant and what wasn’t.
Madison McConnell, a junior human health major, said Emory’s strength is in helping students think beyond their work as individuals.
The sociology program also encourages students across majors to work together, as she did with Silva. At the symposium, the pair presented “Contact and Criticism: How Serious Illness Shapes Perception of NHS Performance” as a team.
“I truly think that Emory's undergraduate program has fostered a good community for undergraduates to be able to collaborate on different aspects that fully encompass Emory as a whole,” McConnell said.