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The Latinx Research Week, hosted by the graduate student organization Puentes, was attended by about 200 people at the Michigan Union. The four-day event showcased research conducted by Latinx scholars and research about Latinx populations from various disciplines. The event, which had expanded from the previous year, featured activities including opening and closing ceremonies, networking opportunities, poster sessions, oral presentations, and a closing ceremony where awards were distributed.
Latinx Research Week at Michigan Union draws 200 attendees
The Michigan Union’s Pendleton Room drew around 200 attendees on March 11 for the opening of Latinx Research Week. The four-day event, hosted by the graduate student organization Puentes, showcased research by Latinx scholars as well as studies on Latinx populations.
Puentes aims to foster community among Latinx graduate students of various academic disciplines on campus. The organization’s co-president, Ariana Bueno, emphasized Latinx Research Week’s role as a platform for Latinx students and faculty to share interdisciplinary research.
“Latinx students are conducting important research in all fields at the University,” Bueno stated.
Victoria Vezaldenos, co-president of Puentes, revealed that the conference-style event has grown since last year. “We’ve seen a 200 or 300% increase in undergraduate research presentations this year,” she said.
This year’s theme was ‘Illuminating Familismo.’ According to Vezaldenos, familismo is a concept highlighting the importance of family and relationships in Latinx culture. The theme was chosen due to its interdisciplinary applicability.
The week was packed with activities like headshot sessions, poster presentations, and oral presentations. Various departments throughout the University sponsored many of these events.
Kristina Fullerton Rico, a predoctoral fellow, presented her study on the grieving experience for unauthorized immigrants separated by the U.S.–Mexico border during the Ford School of Public Policy session. “This conference offers a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary learning,” she remarked.
The closing ceremony saw a research award for Ashley Crooks-Allen, a postdoctoral fellow, for her work on social media, the Black Lives Matter movement, and Afro-Latinx identities. Crooks-Allen underlined the event’s role as a hub for knowledge exchange and constructive feedback.
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