Casey Randazzo

Casey Randazzo is a PhD student in communication technology who worked as a teaching assistant in the ICPSR Summer Program.

I heard about this program through a faculty member, and after looking at the website and seeing the large range of courses I knew immediately that I wanted to apply to be a TA, just to have access to this kind of information.

How do you plan to use the knowledge you've gained here?

I plan to immediately apply the things I've learned to my dissertation. I took Network Analysis II, and it's really nice having access to advanced network methods... and be able to take some of those methods just a step further, especially when it comes to making predictions. I need that information now.

On participants in the ICPSR Summer Program

It's actually quite incredible how international this program is. Even participants that are remote, I engage with them during office hours and learn about their research. I think that one of the best parts about these workshops is not just the material and learning these methods, but creating those connections that are going to turn into future collaborations. It almost feels like I'm an undergrad again. That feeling of orientation week and you don't know anyone, but no one knows anyone, so everybody is open to building new relationships, and you feel this excitement bubbling in the air. That's how it feels being here, which is pretty incredible.

What would you tell someone who’s not familiar with the Summer Program?

It's okay to not come in with all of this prior experience. There's a range of different backgrounds, and as long as someone's open and they come to office hours, we're here to help you no matter what your background is. And no one is judging you.

Advice for newcomers

Spend less time on your homework and more time meeting people. We're all going out after class and [a participant] was like, "I have to prepare for my qualifying exams." And I'm like, in October? No, come out, you're here! Meet people, embrace this experience fully, put everything else on pause if you can.

On the interdisciplinary nature of the Summer Program

While I was here, I benefited from exposure to other disciplines. I come from a communication background; we think communication is everything, all the things! This is what we're taught. So it's nice to hear other perspectives, especially people who are using the same exact method but from a sociological standpoint or education standpoint or political science standpoint. Hearing their feedback or thoughts, it challenges your way of thinking, which produces better research.

"I think that one of the best parts about these workshops is not just the material and learning these methods, but creating those connections that are going to turn into future collaborations."