I am interested in the Digital Scholarship Student Research Fellowship because it would give me the opportunity to combine academic research with digital tools in a hands-on and meaningful way. As I explore coursework in Asian Studies/Chinese and Economics, I have become increasingly curious about how digital methods can strengthen research, analysis, and collaboration across disciplines. I am especially drawn to opportunities that allow me to examine global issues through both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and this fellowship offers a unique space to do so.
One research project I would like to pursue examines how immigration pathways and labor market segmentation shape income and employment outcomes among Chinese and other Asian American subgroups in Pennsylvania. I am interested in understanding how factors such as visa pathways, race and ethnicity, education, language access, and community networks influence where immigrants are positioned within these labor markets. Through this project, I hope to answer several questions. How do different immigration pathways affect access to stable and higher-paying employment? Are certain Asian American subgroups concentrated in particular industries or wage levels? What structural barriers or opportunities shape economic mobility for these communities within Pennsylvania?
Through this fellowship, I hope to build practical skills in digital research, data analysis, and collaborative tools while gaining experience with research design and methodology. This fellowship would help me refine my ability to ask meaningful questions, analyze complex issues, and communicate findings clearly. I see this opportunity as a way to grow technically while exploring how my interests in economics, global studies, and digital scholarship intersect.