Anthropology

Research Apprenticeship Spotlight: Kelly Fan '23

In this spotlight interview, the department caught up with Kelly Fan '23, a General Anthropology and Biology (Immunobiology Track) concentrator, to learn more about her experience in Anthropology's Research Apprenticeship Program. The Program aims to foster collaboration between students and faculty on faculty research.

In this spotlight interview, the department caught up with Kelly Fan '23, a General Anthropology and Biology (Immunobiology Track) concentrator, to learn more about her experience in Anthropology's Research Apprenticeship Program. The Program aims to foster collaboration between students and faculty on faculty research.

"Through my research apprenticeship with Professor Irene Glasser, I will explore the largely unrecognized potential of peer support in smoking cessation, especially in underserved populations such as individuals experiencing homelessness. My interest in the topic stems both from my experience learning about 12-step peer recovery programs in Professor Glasser's course, "The Anthropology of Addictions and Recovery," and from my conversations with clients as a volunteer for Shower To Empower, a health outreach program that engages unhoused individuals in Rhode Island. 
 
I look forward to examining peer-supported smoking cessation interventions and their implications from an anthropological perspective. A crucial part of my apprenticeship will be to review and analyze existing bodies of literature, a valuable skill I plan to carry with me as I seek to incorporate research into my future career. Ultimately, I hope that my work with Professor Glasser can impact the current smoking cessation landscape for underserved communities, helping to reduce the high barriers to cessation that many vulnerable individuals now face." 

Learn more about Anthropology's Research Apprenticeship Program