University of Mississippi Launches Groundbreaking Summer Research Program Examining Race and Politics in the American South
The University of Mississippi is set to launch a groundbreaking summer research program in 2024 that will focus on the intersection of race and politics in the American South. Titled the Interdisciplinary Study of the Politics of Place, this undergraduate research experience is made possible by a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation. What sets this program apart is its unique focus on examining the relationships between race, power, and place in the American South, making it the first and only program of its kind in the country.
Starting in May, undergraduate students from various colleges and universities will converge on the University of Mississippi’s campus for a period of 10 weeks. Here, they will have the opportunity to learn and apply the basic principles of social scientific research design and methodology.
The co-directors of this exciting research experience are Simone Delerme, associate professor of Southern studies and anthropology, and James M. Thomas, associate professor of sociology. Both Delerme and Thomas are committed to guiding and supervising the participating students throughout their research journey.
The origins of this program can be traced back to a successful pilot research program conducted by several faculty members at the University of Mississippi in the summer of 2021. This pilot program, titled Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Race, Power, and Placemaking, received support from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Encouraged by its success, the faculty members applied for and secured a grant through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in 2022.
Participating students will have the opportunity to contribute to a range of research projects centered in the U.S. South. Some examples of these projects include studying the incorporation of immigrants into communities that are not traditional migration destinations, examining the impact of Mississippi’s cultural, political, and religious context on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ Mississippians of color, exploring the role of food culture in placemaking and regional identity, and understanding how white Southerners make sense of their place within America’s racial hierarchy.
In addition to Delerme and Thomas, other faculty members involved in this program are Catarina Passidomo, associate professor of Southern studies and anthropology, and Amy McDowell, associate professor of sociology. Together, they aim to equip participating students with social scientific literacy, research skills, and the necessary knowledge to pursue graduate education and professional careers in the social sciences.
The University of Mississippi’s groundbreaking summer research program marks a significant step towards understanding the complex dynamics of race and politics in the American South. By providing students with valuable research experience and training, this program not only benefits the students themselves, but also has the potential to make a positive impact on their communities. The university’s commitment to fostering social scientific research and increasing diversity in the field is commendable and opens new avenues for exploration in the study of race and politics in the American South.
