The pursuit of justice comes in many forms, all of which constitute a larger combined effort on behalf of so many scholars and activists working to achieve justice in all spheres of our lived experience. Our cultural studies program is proud to generate passionate scholars who devote their intellectual energies toward those achievements.
One noteable example is the work of Dr. Tauheeda Yasin, who organized Datastorm: Ride the Legislative Change at the end of last year. This event was focused on justice through transparency. It involved the use of InsightLegi, “the first searchable AI-enabled web tool that will allow lawmakers, researchers, and the public have access to the data to help them make informed decisions about changes to laws and public resources." The main goal of Datastorm was to "trace the billions in funds paid by citizens and corporations for fines large and small" to see exactly how those funds were appropriated." This project is part of Dr. Yasin's broader work "to bring some transparency as to how the justice system funds itself so that we can create more efficient laws." You can learn more about this project here.
We asked Dr. Yasin some questions about her time in the Cultural Studies program, and how it helped guide her progress and facilitate her work.
Why did you choose the Cultural Studies PhD?
I was teaching at NVCC, and two colleagues in my department were in the program studying cool things, and I thought it would be a great way to do research. I audited a class for a semester and then dove in full-time.
Which accomplishments are you proud of and why?
I think my fieldwork was the most important and eye-opening experience for me both professionally and personally. I had to push through a lot. I was either pregnant or breastfeeding my entire time in the program, and I remember some days feeling the fog of little sleep and the need to read something challenging like Spivak. I somehow pushed through and felt better for having pushed myself in ways of thinking and approaching making sense of the world. I remember juggling trying to breastfeed my one-year-old at Angola prison during their prison rodeo and taking my kids to Texel Island in the North Sea. Those are experiences that will live with us forever.
Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your time in the program?
Roger was instrumental in pushing me to make connections and get into the fieldwork. I remember calling him when I was in the Netherlands, lamenting about how tough it was getting interviews, and he suggested standing outside trying to catch people after they left court. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it worked, and they were some of the most eye-opening interviews.
What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?
Not to get focused on the tenure track. There are uses for the work we do on systems analysis and critical studies, as well as the qualitative work in many domains. I think Cultural Studies is at an interesting juncture. Paul talks about "Why this and why now?” in the Methods course. For me, it was justice and the justice system. Turning an eye to the things that matter in our time and connecting to disciplines like anthropology, sociology, and, for me, policy and government has been transformational. Find your people.
How has the Cultural Studies PhD been impactful in your career?
I work in local government and in the public safety and justice domains. My research is in critical interpretive policy studies. I'm largely concerned with systems analysis and governmentality from a research perspective, but this lens shows up in the work I do on the practical side. I'm always analyzing the levers of power and the subconscious and unquestioned ways that policies and systems become entrenched.
January 15, 2025