Published on July 17, 2024
The Cherng Summer Scholars program allows Honors College students at the University of Missouri to explore their passions through research projects aimed at questions they are interested in analyzing. Students who are accepted into the nine-week program participate in projects that are individually designed, with the support and mentorship of a Mizzou faculty member.
This year, there are 12 Cherng Summer Scholars. Meet Emily Boyett, a senior journalism and political science double major.
Question: Which faculty member are you working with on your research?
Answer: I’m working with Bryce Reeder, an associate professor of political science in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, this summer.
Question: What is the focus of your research?
Answer: Generally, my research investigates whether individuals from historically privileged majority groups in the U.S. are more likely to support political violence when perceiving the racial, religious or economic decline of their group within their own community.
Question: What interested you in this specific project?
Answer: Last summer, I had my first research experience with the Office of Undergraduate Research’s Summer Research Experience Program. I worked as a research assistant for Dr. Reeder, primarily doing background research on extremist militia movements and groups throughout American history. During this time, I also looked at the relationship between Christian Nationalism, party identification and support for extremist militia groups.
For my Cherng project, I wanted to expand upon this previous research by testing out the impact of localized insecurity variables on support for extremist militia groups.
More personally, I come from a small, rural town in Southern Illinois. Columbia still feels ginormous to me. And suffice to say, the sociopolitical environment here is starkly different from my hometown’s. Having lived in these two differing communities, I can’t help but be interested in how local characteristics, like hometown demographics, impact a person’s political behavior.
Question: How nice has it been to be part of the Cherng Summer Scholars program?
Answer: It’s a privilege to be able to work doing something you love, so I’m extremely grateful for the Cherng Summer Scholars program, to say the least. It’s not often that you get the opportunity to geek out all summer! Also, I’ve gotten amazing advice and support from my mentor, Dr. Reeder; Susan Lever, who teaches the Cherng seminar course; and, of course, my Cherng peers. The program has also been helpful in building my research skills and preparing me for graduate school. Without this experience, I don’t think I would be as confident as I am today in my ability to conduct original research, especially independently.