Rosalyn Harrington

Dr. Rosalyn Harrington is an Assistant Professor who researches vulnerable populations, natural disasters, and emergency services.

I'm a qualitative researcher, so learning the quantitative aspect and all of the statistical software has been mind-blowing. I was part of an NSF grant to come and participate in the Summer Program. Part of the grant was that we had to come up with a research proposal, including questions and variables and things of that nature. Coming from a qualitative perspective, I've been reaching out to all of my instructors, the TAs, and trying to understand what platform would work best with my research question and getting that extra help understanding the terminology used in class.

What I've gathered is more of a mixed methods approach instead of going from qualitative to completely quant. I’m trying to find that middle ground and how to merge those areas.

On the social environment of the Summer Program

The ladies in my classes, we've exchanged numbers and emails. If someone is riding out to try a new restaurant, there's a group of us. We've gone to karaoke. We've created a little family, and I was very happy about that.

Most of the Summer Program participants are grad students working on their dissertation, whereas I've completed my dissertation and am a faculty member. They have questions [for me] about their comprehensive exam, how to navigate upon graduation, and getting out into the field, and that's helped me hone my mentorship skills and then helped them as they navigate to get to where I am.

Advice for newcomers

Be prepared to go back to your freshman year in college. You're meeting new people and learning about their research. Be open-minded in learning and absorbing all that you can in the weeks that you have here. Just be in the moment. Don't be frustrated if you don't understand something the first time or the second time. Be open and ask lots of questions because there are a lot of people who have lots of answers for you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Come with your research and be open to a complete stranger critiquing your work.

"I'm a qualitative researcher, so learning the quantitative aspect has been mind-blowing."