The Wilkinson Interterm Research Experience (WIRE) at Chapman University, located in Wilkinson College, supports undergraduate students in pursuing independent research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors from Wilkinson College. Funded through a competitive application process, WIRE empowers students to explore topics across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, and fosters academic growth, creativity, and professional development. This year’s cohort showcases the breadth and depth of interdisciplinary inquiry, with projects spanning art, history, political science, sociology, anthropology, and more.

“The student projects selected for funding in our second year of the WIRE program are truly impressive. The future of the arts, humanities, and social sciences is bright indeed! I look forward to seeing how these projects unfold as our student scholars and creators get to work in January.” 

– Dean Jennifer D. Keene

 

Here are summaries of the funded projects for Interterm 2026:

Maddi Andrews

Bogs, Labs, Museums: An Ethnography of Bog Body Researchers
WIRE Student Fellow: Maddi Andrews (History, Political Science, Anthropology major)
Faculty Mentor: Kyle Harp-Rushing (Environmental Science and Policy) 

Maddi Andrews’ ethnographic research investigates how archaeologists and museum professionals balance scientific inquiry with ethical considerations when studying and displaying Iron Age bog bodies. Combining interviews with experts and discourse analysis of media and museum exhibits, Maddi aims to understand how narratives are constructed around bog bodies and how these stories influence public perception and scholarly practice.

Ami Carrera

Ya la mañana, la luz resplandecé / The Morning is Coming, The Light is Shining
WIRE Student Fellow: Ami Carrera (Studio Art major, Integrated Educational Studies minor)
Faculty Mentor: Micol Hebron (Art) 

Ami Carrera’s creative research blends traditional fine art with textile techniques to create a four-panel polyptych inspired by Psalm 23. The installation explores comfort, community, and resilience in the face of adversity, juxtaposing Eurocentric art traditions with Mexican folk art. Ami’s work challenges colonial perspectives and elevates the role of textiles in contemporary art, emphasizing themes of beauty in nature and collective support.

Gabi Fischthal

Community Protection to National Collaboration: Tracking the Anti-Defamation League’s Evolving Mission Over Time
WIRE Student Fellow: Gabi Fischthal (Writing for Film and Television major, History minor)
Faculty Mentor: Shira Klein (History) 

Gabi Fischthal’s historical research traces the evolution of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) from its founding in 1913 to the present. By analyzing archival materials, organizational records, and media coverage, Gabi examines how the ADL’s mission and actions have shifted in response to changing social and political contexts, particularly regarding antisemitism and advocacy.

Piper Hanson

Historic Aerospace Conservation and Restoration: Ethics and Interpretation of Preserving Technological Material Culture
WIRE Student Fellow: Piper Hanson (History major, Creative and Cultural Industries minor)
Faculty Mentor: Amy Buono (Art) 

Piper Hanson’s project explores the ethical dilemmas and interpretive challenges of conserving and restoring historic aerospace technology in museums. Through case studies and interviews with museum professionals, Piper investigates how decisions to restore or conserve affect public understanding of history and the representation of technological artifacts.

Aleks Lam

Understanding Heritage Language Speakers at Chapman
WIRE Student Fellow: Aleks Lam (Cultural Anthropology major, Chinese minor)
Faculty Mentor: Shyh-Wei Yang (Sociology) 

Aleks Lam’s ethnographic study investigates patterns of heritage language maintenance among Mandarin speakers at Chapman University. Through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, Aleks explores sociocultural factors influencing language retention and aims to inform educational frameworks for heritage language learners.

Drew Longley

Understanding the Role of Conformity in Politically Divergent Environments
WIRE Student Fellow: Drew Longley (Political Science & Psychology major, Humanomics minor)
Faculty Mentor: Lewis Luartz (Political Science) 

Drew Longley’s experimental research examines how college-aged individuals respond to ideological pressure in politically divergent discussion settings. By measuring changes in self-reported political identity before and after group interactions, Drew analyzes the extent of conformity and the influence of factors such as ideology and religiosity.

Allie Namenuk-Bollinger

Protecting the Environment while Supporting Students: Evaluating Support for a Chapman Initiative
WIRE Student Fellow: Allie Namenuk-Bollinger (Public Relations, Advertising, and Entertainment Marketing major, Environmental Studies minor)
Faculty Mentor: Skye Niles (Environmental Science and Policy) 

Allie Namenuk-Bollinger’s project evaluates student interest in a campus donation facility that collects items during move-out and redistributes them at move-in, aiming to reduce waste and support financially strained students. Through surveys, focus groups, and analysis of sustainability documents, Allie assesses the feasibility and potential impact of this initiative on campus sustainability and equity.

Coco Ridge

Examining Experiences and Beliefs that Motivate Student Activism
WIRE Student Fellow: Coco Ridge (Sociology major, Philosophy and Leadership minors)
Faculty Mentor: Peter Simi (Sociology) 

Coco Ridge’s qualitative research examines the motivations behind student activism in left-wing social movements. Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, Coco examines how personal experiences, beliefs, and social networks shape students’ decisions to engage in activism and connect to broader movements.

Kalea Seaton

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Armed Conflict
WIRE Student Fellow: Kalea Seaton (Peace and Justice Studies major, Religious Studies minor)
Faculty Mentor: Angela Lederach (Department of Peace Studies) 

Kalea Seaton’s study analyzes the impacts of armed conflict on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), focusing on how sociocultural attitudes and beliefs shape experiences of violence. Using thematic content analysis of media and human rights reports, Kalea aims to build new frameworks for understanding disability in contexts of war and advocate for disability-centered peacebuilding.

Abigail Stephens

Anyone’s Game? Evaluating Integrations of Gameplay within Adult-facing Art Exhibitions
WIRE Student Fellow: Abigail Stephens (History major, Journalism and Creative and Cultural Industries minors)
Faculty Mentor: Wendy Salmond (Art)

Abigail Stephens’ research investigates the impact of educational gameplay on college-age museum visitors. By designing a virtual exhibition with embedded games and conducting experimental studies, Abigail analyzes how playful engagement affects information retention, critical engagement, and enjoyment among adult audiences.

These projects demonstrate the vibrancy of the arts, humanities, and social sciences at Chapman University, and epitomize our faculty’s dedication to personalized learning. We look forward to learning together this interterm!