SENIOR THESIS

MY SENIOR THESIS: "DON'T LOOK DOWN"

Here's me at the podium presenting my research!

My thesis, titled "Don't Look Down: The Carcerality of the U.S. Foster Care System" investigates the policy and origins surrounding U.S. foster care and adoption and the related outcomes for former foster youth with a focus on California state legislation.

In my final year of undergrad, I was invited to present my senior research thesis for the Feminist Studies department faculty, staff, and students for the first ever "Radical Research Symposium."

Unfortunately (and to my great sadness) the Feminist Studies department at UCSC seems to be coming to a close and will no longer accept undergraduate admissions to the major after 2025. There was only a 2nd Annual Radical Research Symposium after mine. I'm very proud to have one of the last Bachelor's degrees in Feminist Studies from UCSC, it was an excellent department with extraordinary faculty.

I do hope to continue my research and revising my thesis when time permits. I occasionally add to my research notes from time to time, dreaming about publishing it one day...

but for now, you can read my paper and view my slide deck below!

"Don't Look Down" is a turn of phrase. It is meant to illustrate the foster child's precarious circumstances, a sentiment that can be best described as walking a tightrope.