Author: Frances Van Scoy | Major: International and Global Studies – Peace, Security, and Human Rights | Semester: Spring 2025

I am Frances Van Scoy and I am a senior honors student in International and Global Studies, Political Science, and Italian Cultural and Literary Studies. My research is looking at irregular migration (when people cross borders without proper documentation) in Italy from the years 2014-2024. This marks a period of new waves of consistently high levels of irregular migrants arriving by sea in Italy. I find that the foundation of the Italian identity during Mussolini’s time is affecting how Italians are reacting to migration today. My research is conducted through historical review, academic investigation, current news and interviews with organizations that are working in Italy with migrants today.

Students at NCUR

I am proud to have presented this research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh in April 2025 in a poster presentation session. This trip helped to inform me on what people found interesting in my research and where there might be gaps in understanding. I was able to address these before I defended my thesis on campus.

I had a lot of fun both presenting my research during a poster session, moderating oral presentations, and hearing from other poster presentations and asking questions. It’s interesting to learn how other disciplines approach methodology to their studies, and research. As a non-science based student, it was insightful to learn about lab research and how students in different science disciplines approach their work.

I would always recommend a student to take the chance on applying to be at a conference. I was doubtful that I would be accepted into the conference, but I was admitted. The Honors College staff was very supportive during the time when I had to decide whether I would commit to attending. After I confirmed my availability, they were also very supportive in helping to plan the logistics of flight, hotel, and conference registration. I also found a great community by traveling with other honors students, and these conferences offer an amazing place for people across disciplines to meet, within the University of Arkansas and from other universities. If you are a student considering going to a conference, I would highly recommend! Especially if you are a first-time traveler, as you can choose to travel with a group, so you don’t have to feel nervous about going through the airport by yourself.

The conference also had an area where graduate schools were tabling to speak with students and answer questions about any concerns they might have. I have previously looked at Notre Dame Graduate School for Peace Studies, so I went up to the Notre Dame representative. When I expressed concerns about the cost of graduate school, she noted that over 97% of Notre Dame Ph.D. students receive stipends. Pursuing a doctorate had previously felt out of reach, but learning this made it seem like a better option than a master’s degree.

As a graduating senior, I will be entering the Peace Corps to serve in Samoa. As an international studies major, I am so excited to work in contexts that I have been studying for the past four years. I am so thankful for the support of the Fulbright College and Honors College throughout my studies in Arkansas, and abroad.