School of Public Policy (SPP) Fast-Track student Anabelle S. Bergstrom initially applied to our accelerated Master of Public Administration (MPA) program for a challenge. She says,

The analytical skills regarding various types of policy that I have and will continue to gain will benefit me in so many ways post-grad. Everyone can benefit from a better understanding of public administration, especially those who seek a long-term career in the legal profession.

The Political Science and Philosophy major appreciated the opportunity to gain the extra intellectual stimulation she was looking for. SPP’s Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) program also stood out to her as a way to gain real-world experience. 

This summer Anabelle is utilizing a Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) award to study how campaign contributions from attorneys affect state supreme court judicial decisions. Her research both replicates and updates a previous study, and allows her to grow her qualitative and quantitative skills while analyzing case data. She adds,

My hope is that my SURF award will bring more attention to the partisanship that exists within the judiciary and will inspire more policymakers to work towards ensuring a more independent, nonpartisan justice system. Opening people’s eyes to how influential outside forces are on justice’s decisions will hopefully inspire more individuals to fight for effective change.

This fall Anabelle will also conduct research with the UConn Humanities Institute (UCHI) on the “Minds Among Minds: A Pragmatist View of the Social and Spiritual Self in a Hyperconnected World?” Her research seeks to address “…how we as independent beings are affected by constant connectivity with others through our mobile devices, namely social media. [And will]… incorporate different philosophical pragmatist theories to explain how the social and spiritual self are affected by hyper connectivity.” She drew inspiration from a course on Epistemology where she was introduced to William James and George Mead. Anabelle’s research aims to apply their theories to today, and her interest in how and why humans are influenced by increased means of communication fueled this project.

This year Anabelle will also be completing a leadership project through the BOLD Leadership Network. She plans to make an impact on abused and neglected children in Connecticut, New England and beyond. Anabelle notes,

Although the details are still pending, what I can say is that my project will go above and beyond to make positive change for our society’s most vulnerable. My idea is to use the resources BOLD has so graciously given me to go above and beyond for the kids who have yet to receive the selfless love, support, and hope that everyone deserves.

We can not wait to see the outcome of Anabelle’s research, BOLD project and IMPACT for the years to come! After completing both of her UConn degrees Anabelle plans to utilize her SPP skill sets to connect policy and law more effectively as a law student and later as an attorney.