DSSRF 2024 Cohort (From left to right): Thandeka Bango, Malika Ali, Jackline Masetu , and Gianna Depina
Learn more about the members of the 2024 cohort by reading their biographies and digital humanities values statement below.
Malika Ali '26
Malika Ali is an International Relations & Classics double major with an intended minor in Arabic. She grew up in Carteret, NJ, but moved around during the COVID-19 pandemic before settling in Lewisburg, PA. Malika is very interested in law and justice and hopes to eventually attend law school after graduating Bucknell. She is specifically interested in public policy and criminal justice.
Her project focuses on studying the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the criminal justice system. Specifically, she aims to analyze how the pandemic led to changes in prosecution rates, arrests, and incarcerations, highlighting inequities that arose such as increased risk of exposure, reduced access to legal representation, and overcrowding. Additionally, her research considers the impact of social movements like Black Lives Matter and the heightened media coverage of police brutality, which also influenced changes in law enforcement and procedures.
Final Project: The Effects of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania’s Justice System
Thandeka Bango '26
Thandeka Bango is a rising Junior from Harare, Zimbabwe majoring in Environmental Geosciences and Geography. Through his first-hand experience living on the African continent, Thandeka witnessed countries plagued by macroeconomic volatility, corruption, societal disparities and what can be deemed a human-induced famine, whose consequences have only been exacerbated by climate change and the enhanced greenhouse effect.
His participation in the 2021 World Economic Forum Citizens Dialogues gave him the skills to cultivate a multifaceted approach to resolving global issues in varied contexts.
Thandeka’s research therefore evaluates the feasibility of sustainable development in Zimbabwe. With his dedication to Environmental Justice, Thandeka hopes to model African economies sustainably critically exploring positive change.
Final Project: Evaluating Equitable Development in Zimbabwe
Gianna Depina '26
Gianna Depina was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She ethnically is a Cape Verdean American woman and identifies as a black woman. She has always been curious, outgoing, passionate, and extremely warm hearted. Gianna is a rising junior who is intending on graduating from Bucknell with a B.S in Neuroscience, on the premed track, with an intended minor in health humanities. She strongly believes that it is equally important for pre-health students to explore and learn about the humanities side of health, as it is the science side. Gianna loves nature, cars, working out, all types of animals, and her Mommy, Francisca Depina. Gianna has always been family orientated as she someday wants to start her own big family. Gianna is currently working on spreading awareness on several topics.
Final Project: Demografias do Cabo Verdianos
Jackline Masetu '27
Jackline Masetu is a rising sophomore at Bucknell University, majoring in Computer Science and Engineering. She is from Nairobi, Kenya. She is passionate about the lives of Africans and wants to help create awareness about ‘hidden diseases’ in the continent. Her research focuses on sickle cell anemia, a genetic disorder that affects many individuals in Africa but often lacks sufficient awareness and understanding. She aims to shed light on the struggles and resilience of those living with the disease, using digital humanities tools to amplify their stories and advocate for better healthcare resources and support systems.
Through her research and advocacy, she aspires to contribute to a future where hidden diseases like sickle cell anemia are no longer marginalized, and where individuals affected by these conditions receive the recognition and care they deserve. Her dedication to this cause reflects her broader commitment to improving the lives of Africans and ensuring that their stories are heard and valued on a global scale.
Final Project: Sickle Cell Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa
Preamble
We, as the 2024 Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellows are a body of students charged with equitably communicating a network of ideas within the Digital Humanities. The interdisciplinary approach in our respective research topics makes us a formidable cohort allowing us to exchange ideologies, and learn from the various perspectives within our program and held by experts in their respective fields. Digital humanities provides a gateway to advanced research tools that optimize the research experience outside the classroom.
We believe thinking outside the box and challenging socially constructed norms and binaries is essential. By adopting new, more inclusive ways of thinking about data, we can uncover deeper insights and promote a richer understanding of complex societal issues. We encourage open-mindedness and creativity, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and innovative approaches are embraced; ultimately leading to more impactful and insightful results in our projects.
Core Values
Empowerment: We value the advancement of student voices in the Digital Humanities.
Inclusion: We value inclusion in our data collection such that no one should feel excluded in the data that we collect. Diversity is paramount for our cohort.
Respect: We value respect within ideas that we all agree or disagree with.
Integrity: We value integrity, honesty and diversity in our projects and work hard to understand certain disparities.
Intersectionality: We value intersectionality and incorporate underrepresented communities and take this into account throughout our projects.
Community: We value community as we think it is important to network and gain insights from others with similar or different perspectives.
Hopes and ambitions for this summer program:
Challenge existing paradigms
Creating awareness about different issues in society, cultures, and people
Meet new people
Expand knowledge
Gain new practical skills and apply the skills during and after the fellowship
Inspire future scholars through our different research topics
Become better communicators and active listeners
Conclusion
As the 2024 Digital Scholarship Summer Research Fellows, we are committed to challenging existing paradigms and fostering inclusivity in our research. Through collaboration and open-mindedness, we hope to obtain deeper insights into the societal issues we are researching while gaining practical skills. Our diverse perspectives and thoughtful approaches will enrich our projects, inspire future scholars, and enhance our understanding of various issues.