123 Research Reflection by Sarah Herring

Faculty Mentor: Robert Lubeznik-Warner (Psychology, University of Utah)

I initially got involved with undergraduate research as a requirement of the honors psychology major. However, what I thought would be one semester of research experience, quickly evolved into nearly 3 years working with youth development and youth programming literature, data collection, and analysis. I started working with the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps for research purposes, but I continued working with them, because I fell in love with the mission of the organization. The THFC, a nonprofit committed to helping youth from underserved communities achieve their full potential and develop social emotional competencies, helped me to develop a better understanding of the systemic issues behind the polarization of our world today and to learn that the establishment of equitable opportunities are essential for the success of future generations.

I was able to work with the foundation to conduct evaluative research for the implementation of a new type of programming. I developed a new understanding that research can be created serve purposes beyond what we can imagine at the start. We were able to conduct program evaluation whilst also studying the specific aspects of program quality that lead to positive developmental outcomes for youth. It is through this research that I also had opportunities to code narrative data from campers and alumni. These data reinforce just how influential youth programming can be for youth developmental opportunities at the time and further down the road. Through these narratives I feel that the research became more than just a camper id but an interaction with a person behind the screen.

Down the road, I hope to go to law school in order to pursue a career in policy or legal advocacy. Inspired by the research I have done in my undergraduate years, my goal is to work at the intersection of law and human rights, ensuring that all people have access to the resources and representation they need to thrive. I want to help people directly, but more than that I want to shift the structures that hold them back. After having experiences in each area of the research process, I am able to better understand the importance of evidence informed policy and practice.