Undergraduate Research: Forgotten Folkways
Summer Undergraduate Research Experience Application
This accepted application for Elon University's SURE program marks the beginning of my two-year research journey studying the perception of diverse voices in Appalachian Folk Music.
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The project detailed in this document, entirely conceptualized and designed by me, combines elements of ethnographic research and social rhetoric, two concepts generally unknown to the board of reviewers that endorsed this application. Not only did I translate these concepts into more easily understood terms, but I argued for the importance of each, especially the need for ethnographic research in the A Note on Ethnography as a Methodology section.
How I organize this document is also strategic, introducing the focus of my research immediately before detailing the historical context so the audience can understand the exigence of my research, in context, immediately. The inclusion of research questions at the end of the next folk music field section works with this exigence, appearing logical and credible within the context of previous research.​​
Rawl's Endowed Grant Proposal
This grant application provided funding for a crucial research experience: the opportunity to attend a rhythm and bones class at the John C Campbell folk school in Brasstown, North Carolina. Seven students at Elon University are awarded this undergraduate research grant for $1500 each year.
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What is included on this page is an excerpt from the full 30 page application. These sections were chosen as they were crafted to directly align with Elon University stakeholder values.
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Specifically, in the benefits of learning section on the third page, I directly call out the professional development opportunities that this experience could have, reflecting Elon University's commitment to making Undergraduate Research an applicable professional experience.​​​​
Final Research Poster
This poster, presented at Elon University's Student Undergraduate Research Forum is the culmination of my Appalachian Folk Music research findings. Unlike the other pieces in this category, it is made for a general audience and does not stand alone but rather augments my verbal presentation.
In designing this poster, I considered what I wanted my audience's key takeaways to be, as well as the background information required for these takeaways to resonate. This endeavor was further complicated by deciding what I would be presenting verbally and which text would best support not only my initial "pitch" but my response to questions asked.
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In line with these considerations, I made the findings section larger and divided it into three sections. that could be easily followed and understood at a glance. Additionally, I did not explain everything as thoroughly as in the applications, since I would be presenting but rather used space for eye catching and intentional images and data representations.​​​