Visiting Scholar Continues Research Far from Home
The University of Indianapolis welcomes students from all over the world, and our Visiting Scholars program helps make that possible. Sarah Paz Martin, Visiting Scholar from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, is currently completing her research in gender stereotypes at UIndy.
During her personal research on gender studies, Sarah came across an essay written by UIndy professor Dr. Mason Burns that sparked her interest. “Dr. Burns’ ideas helped me focus my own research,” Sarah said. “I decided to write to him to invite him to participate in my Thesis Committee, a group of internal and external professors accompanying and evaluating my research during my Ph.D. program. He kindly accepted, so we began to talk more regularly by email, and he also participated online in my Candidacy Exam in July 2022.”
Sarah was then given the opportunity to study abroad, and she knew she wanted to come to Indianapolis. After being accepted, Sarah ran into some difficulties with international travel after the pandemic made travel more complicated. However, UIndy faculty member Marilyn Chase, Director of International Services at the Center for Global Engagement, was there to step in. “She made the stay possible,” Sarah recalled. “Her kindness and quick response at every stage of the process confirmed I had made the right choice for my host university because she made me feel welcome.”
As her host professor and mentor, Dr. Burns and Sarah work closely together. “Dr. Burns has allowed me to participate in his research at UIndy, and that has allowed me to work on diverse topics, such as gender nostalgia, a new concept he developed and explored. I have been able to train my skills in statistics and research designs in social psychology. I have learned by doing because the access I have had to the research has been total, and that is not common everywhere for visiting researchers, so I am very grateful.”
Dr. Burns said, “Working with Sarah has been great. It isn’t surprising, given how much effort she had to put in to even get here as a Visiting Scholar, but she is very driven and committed. Her different background and experiences has also been invaluable to the work I started before she arrived as, I have come to learn, much of my work had a uniquely American focus.”
Sarah has enjoyed her time at the University of Indianapolis. “Being at the University of Indianapolis has been a fantastic experience. The city and the people are incredibly kind, which makes up for the fact that you are away from home. My expectations have been met, and I am excited to continue living this time here.”