My Undergraduate Research

During the summer of 2011, I conducted undergraduate research at Elon through their SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience) program. It’s an intensive 8 week program with a stipend. A record 50 students participated, including many of my friends, but I was the only student from the School of Communications!

My project is:  Portrayals and Stereotypes of Germans in U.S. Social Media Platforms.

I conducted a qualitative content analysis from data collected from three platforms: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube using the constant comparison method. At the end of the summer, I presented my findings and emerging themes to a small group of students, mentors, and faculty at the completion of the SURE program.

With my mentor Dr. Amanda Gallagher, School of Communications, I am in the process of getting an article prepared to apply for publication within a Communications journal and this spring I will work with Dr. Scott Windham, Department of German Studies, to co-write another article on the same topic but refocusing it for a German Studies journal. In the future, I hope to present at national conferences like NCUR and I will also apply to present at Elon’s SURF Day 2012.

Email me at hnelson2@elon.edu for more information or with comments.