Diversity and Outreach Peer
The Graduate Student Resource Center and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion welcome the new Graduate Diversity and Outreach Peer, Mary Michael. Mary is currently pursuing her PhD in Film and Media Studies. Read on to learn more about Mary!
HER STORY
Mary is a PhD candidate in the Film and Media Studies department, and is also currently a Graduate Mentor for the McNair Scholars Program. Mary earned a BS in Sociology from the UC Riverside, where she volunteered for political advocacy groups that focused on making education more accessible. She also earned an MA in Cinema and Media Studies from USC, where she learned the basics of video game design and production.
HER RESEARCH
Mary's research examines emerging smart city and paperless e-governance technologies in Dubai, and how these new technologies disadvantage migrant populations that are already severely marginalized. Her dissertation aims to centralize the role of migrants and migration in the history of Dubai's development and technological progression. She is interested in collaborating with impacted migrants on producing more inclusive data and urban planning policies that better support migrant life.
FUN FACTS
Mary loves to play video games with friends on Discord whenever she gets the chance. While she plays games from a variety of genres, she especially enjoys finding and playing niche indie games. She also enjoys cooking (though she's not very good at it), hiking, and learning how to rock climb.
HER ROLE AS DIVERSITY AND OUTREACH PEER
As the Diversity and Outreach Peer, she will develop programming aimed to meet the needs of graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds and communities. She will help produce a more inclusive learning and social environment for graduate students on campus, and will collaborate with graduate student groups who strive to create similarly inclusive spaces.