Mattéo Jung
My name is Mattéo, I am a PhD candidate and here is my summer journey. After taking my candidacy exam in spring, I was both relieved and worried. Relieved, because it's always when the stress of exams lifts that the blue days start to set in. Worried too, because for the first time, I was left without a clear structure. No classes to take, no courses to give. I had a few summer duties, but my future semesters looked like sea in the morning: wide, calm, but without a clear end. To read and to write, a necessary leitmotiv if I wanted to take the path of academic success.
This period was particularly hard to navigate as my research also took a drastic shift. I was done studying to please, done taking exams for grades. I finally wanted to assert who I was, and the kind of stories I wanted to give the world to read. Therefore, this paragraph couldn't be complete without mentioning Professor Toth. I'd like to express my gratitude to her as she was a supportive guide who really tried to understand my intellectual inquiries. We met on a couple of occasions, and exchanged ideas, names, and works, which will certainly find their way into my future dissertation.
I believe in a thesis made of lived experiences–not everything in a book can capture the complexity of our lives. The inspiration to become a little more myself every day. So for all this time we shared this summer, for all the exciting opportunities presented, and for showing me how to inspire future students myself, I'd like to thank you, Professor Toth.
Stef Scimeca
Graduate student Stef Scimeca had a fruitful summer in both Italy and France. While in Bologna, she performed archival research using the feminist magazines (from the 1970s and 80s) maintained in the Biblioteca italiana delle donne. Additionally, she attended two performances by the actress Silvia Gallerano. Following this, she conducted multiple interviews with Gallerano and writer Cristian Ceresoli. These interviews will be used in Stef's dissertation, which examines feminist denunciations of rape culture.
Then, in Sassari, Stef presented her analysis of Gallerano's La Merda at the annual conference for AAIS (American Association of Italian Studies). The conference allowed her to gain important feedback on her dissertation research and meet other scholars working on similar topics. While in France, she completed her first chapter of her dissertation and performed research on French feminism in Toulouse. Stef is very grateful for the funding she received that allowed her to have such a busy and successful summer.
Solène Cotier
My name is Solène Cotier and I am a second-year PhD student in the French Department. After a busy first year at OSU, I enjoyed my first full summer in the US. I had the chance to travel with my family, who came to visit me, and we had a great time in Florida!
During this (relatively) calmer period, I undertook independent studies and had a great time. As someone who sometimes has trouble getting ideas out of my head and into a coherent form, having dedicated one-on-one time with a faculty member was precious. I am very glad to say that I made important progress in figuring out the direction I want my research to take!
I particularly want to thank Dr. Lucille Toth for accepting to help me with my work, introducing me to new authors and concepts, but also giving me guidance on how to work efficiently as someone at the beginning of their research journey. Feeling this kind of support and guidance really makes a difference, and it allowed me to discover new interests. I enjoyed the surprise of seeing my work take unexpected directions as our conversations unfolded. And I’m so very grateful to everyone else who extended their hands to me throughout this process as well! Merci!