Amber Griffin-Royal (she/her) | Haas Scholars Program | Summer ‘25
Amber is a Haas Scholar currently majoring in African-American studies and minoring in Journalism. During her time in the Haas Scholars program, she researched Oakland’s Black Soundscape, including the everyday sounds heard in Oakland neighborhoods, community events, and her own sonic memories growing up in Oakland. After graduating, Amber plans to take a gap year to rest from academia before applying to graduate school. During her break, she will focus on creating cultural productions that merge her professional skills as an award-winning DJ with her lived experience in Oakland and her love for storytelling through film.
How has your research topic/question evolved since proposing your project?
My research topic has evolved from strictly focusing on how Oakland’s Black Soundscape is produced through radio to now examining a fuller representation of Oakland’s Black Soundscape, including everyday sounds heard in Oakland neighborhoods, community events, and my own sonic memories. Once I began to conduct participant observation at radio stations, I realized that the scope of my research was too narrow. I needed to expand to truly understand how Oakland’s Black Soundscape was created, by whom, how it has changed over time, and what factors have contributed to its change. Initially, I was terrified by the realization that my project’s topic and research questions needed to be adapted. However, I learned that it is actually typical for researchers to make pivots and even go back to the drawing board while conducting research, which really helped me to remain calm and get back in the field in a slightly new direction with confidence.
What have you enjoyed most about participating in the Haas Scholars Program? How has the program supported your development as a scholar?
I’m in such awe of my cohort peers and have enjoyed getting to know them and learning about their projects the most. Everyone is absolutely brilliant, passionate, and so down to earth. Being in my cohort as a re-entry transfer student with learning differences has made me feel safe, seen, and heard, reassuring me of my abilities as a scholar who can do rigorous research and take on bold challenges in their work. I feel fortunate to share intellectual space with such amazing scholars who inspire and push me to grow.
What advice would you give to prospective applicants?
APPLY! Haas Scholars is an excellent program if you have a research project in mind that you want to pursue and wish to gain valuable experience conducting independent research that is funded. If you are interested in this program, consider who you’d like to be your faculty advisor on the project, ask if they are interested, and reach out to faculty members you want to write you a letter of recommendation for early on. Lastly, prepare to dedicate at least 10 hours a week to your project when you’re selected. This program is rewarding and a lot of work! And I’m happy to be a resource for anybody interested in learning more about the program from a participant perspective.
Ruby King (she/they) | Haas Scholars Program | Spring ‘25
Ruby is a Haas Scholar currently double-majoring in Native-American Studies and Psychology. During her time in the Haas Scholars program, she researched the inclusion of Indigenous fire practices in fire policies and land management strategies, emphasizing its necessity for community and environmental wellbeing. Upon graduating this spring, they plan to take a gap year before applying to Masters and PhD programs.
How has your research topic/question evolved since proposing your project?
My ultimate goal is to contribute to the broader discourse on how fire management and settler colonialism impact Indigenous women and femmes by advocating for the inclusion of Indigenous fire practices in policy and land management strategies. I’ve been thinking about my research topic for quite a while and over time I have refined it, so it hasn’t changed very much since applying. However, through conversations with those in my community I have realized that, instead of focusing mainly on the good of prescribed burning for wellbeing, I want my research to emphasize its necessity in restoring cultural fire as a native land stewardship practice. Specifically, the inclusion of cultural fire practices in fire management is integral to sustaining the traditional ecological knowledge systems of Indigenous women and femmes, such as the harvest of Karuk basketry materials. Using data gathered through interviews and surveys with the Indigenous community, I can evaluate the importance of prescribed burning to the wellbeing of the Indigenous women and femme community, as well as the environment.
What have you enjoyed most about participating in the Haas Scholars Program? How has the program supported your development as a scholar?
What I’ve enjoyed most about participating in the Haas Scholars Program is the practical research skills I’ve gained, and the sense of community my cohort has created. Doing independent research can be very difficult, but being able to share space with others who are experiencing similar struggles makes it a little bit easier. Through the Haas Scholars Program I’ve also been given the opportunity to connect with professors, resources that help amplify my research and career/post-graduation opportunities, and overall has allowed me to grow as a researcher and individual.
What advice would you give to prospective applicants?
The advice I’d give prospective students is: if you are passionate about something you want to research but aren’t quite sure if you’re equipped to be doing the research – apply. I questioned myself the entire time I was applying because I didn’t have a lot of research experience. The Haas Scholars Program has gone above and beyond to provide me with the necessary and practical skills to operate as a researcher through connections with professors, librarians, staff in both research and scholarships, and has catered to my specific needs. It’s a very supportive and encouraging program. I also recommend applying even if you’re not really sure what direction you want your research to take. I think inevitably after thorough research the direction is bound to change anyways, so you shouldn’t let that singular thing hinder you. You’re here at Cal for a reason, don’t limit yourself!
To learn more about the Haas Scholars Program, come attend our online info sessions this month:
- Thurs 11/14 | 11AM-12PM
- Tues 11/19 | 12-1PM
- Thurs 11/21 | 2-3PM