Learning to train new and upcoming researchers, I recently welcomed an intern from the States. Allison “Allie” Wagner has been here at DIT since the start of January, as part of the Masters in Higher Education Administration she is completing at the Central Michigan University. She is working with me for a total of two months.

In her time here, Allie is learning about how we manage programs at DIT and what it is like for students to live and study here. She is also doing a research project with me. We have conducted phenomenological interviews with five female students from the Middle East, and we hope to interview 2-3 more. This adds a “longitudinal” component to my prior research, since I interviewed all five of these women two years ago. Allie and I are following up to see what new expediences these women have had and how things have changed for them.

Overall, we want to produce a journal article with findings to help teachers do a better job in supporting international students — and particularly Muslim women studying engineering in Western contexts.

A typical day in the office. We work in Linenhall, in the staff office shared by 11 Architecture Technology lecturers. 

Allie and some of my other friends (Kate, Maurizion, and Aongus) wishing me a happy birthday as I ushered in a brand new year of living to the fullest.

Allie and I attended presentations by PhD students last week in Kevin Street DIT, as part of the tPOT research group (for research working toward People Oriented Technology)