Author: Clara Devine | Major: Industrial Engineering | Semester: Fall 2025

Devine collecting data from SHEIN’s Facebook posts for analysis.

My name is Clara Ehorn Devine and I am studying in the College of Engineering. My mentor is Rob M. Curry, and we are pursuing research under the department of Industrial Engineering. This semester is my second semester of funded research and I have spent it conducting research, analyzing data, and writing my undergraduate thesis. Our research began with a comprehensive literature review spanning consumer behavior, fashion marketing, supply chain logistics, sustainability studies, and digital media and business analytics. This foundation helped establish a conceptual framework for understanding fast fashion. We then focused on specific issues, including SHEIN’s business model, water usage in textile production, global waste generation, and the influence of social media on consumer purchasing behaviors.

We collected and organized secondary data, analyzed trends in production volume and user behavior, and explored the environmental consequences of rapid product cycles. These analyses informed key sections of our thesis, such as the introduction, methodology, discussion, and case study on SHEIN. Beyond presenting findings, our research encourages readers to reflect on questions like: How do our consumption habits influence global production? What are the hidden costs of convenience and trend-driven purchases? This approach strengthened both the clarity and evidence base of our work.

To close out the semester, I also took important steps toward preparing for my thesis defense. I reached out to my second Industrial Engineering committee member by drafting and sending a formal request message along with my completed abstract. I consistently shared full thesis drafts with my advisor, incorporating their feedback on structure, clarity, and content development. These revisions strengthened the organization of my chapters and ensured that my analysis aligned with academic expectations. Altogether, these steps have positioned me well for the final stages of writing and defending my thesis next semester.

Looking ahead to winter break and next semester, my focus will shift toward preparing the final materials needed for my thesis defense and publication. Over the break, I plan to create a data-driven slide deck that clearly presents the key assertions, findings, and visualizations from my thesis. This presentation will serve as the foundation for my defense and help communicate my results in a concise, accessible way. In parallel, we will begin making final edits to my written thesis; refining clarity, strengthening transitions, and ensuring all data and citations are fully polished. During the spring semester, we will complete the final revisions, submit the work for approval, and move toward formally publishing my undergraduate thesis. These next steps will bring my project to completion and mark the culmination of two semesters of research and analysis.

I chose this topic because of my long-standing interest in human trafficking prevention and awareness. My sophomore year in high school and the next 3 years, I participated in “Dressember,” a 31-day challenge where participants wear a dress every day in December to spark conversations about trafficking. When people asked why I was wearing a dress in cold weather, it opened the door to share the mission behind Dressember and raise financial support for survivor resources and rehabilitation. Through this experience, I learned how deeply trafficking is tied to both sex and labor exploitation. Around the same time, the rise of SHEIN caught my attention; its extremely low prices, rapid production cycles, and allegations of labor abuses made it clear how fast fashion can fuel unethical practices. This connection sparked my curiosity and inspired me to apply my Industrial Engineering background to better understand the fast-fashion supply chain and help increase consumer awareness about brands that may rely on exploitative practices. Conducting this research has deepened my understanding of these issues and strengthened my passion for combating labor trafficking.

Through this research, I learned a great deal about the fast fashion industry, the role of social media in shaping consumer behavior, and the environmental and ethical consequences of rapid production cycles. I also gained insight into myself: realizing that I enjoy tackling complex, interdisciplinary problems and that I am capable of connecting technical analysis with real-world social impact. One of the biggest challenges I faced was finding reliable and detailed data, particularly regarding production volumes, labor practices, and environmental metrics. This difficulty highlighted the importance of transparency in business practices and reinforced my belief that companies should be open about their operations to allow for informed consumer choices and accountability. Overcoming this challenge required creativity in sourcing secondary data, analyzing patterns, and making careful assumptions grounded in credible references.

My faculty mentor played a crucial role throughout this process. Professor Rob M. Curry guided me in refining my research questions, selecting meaningful analyses, organizing my thesis, and structuring my findings into a coherent narrative. His feedback was instrumental in helping me balance technical detail with broader social implications. I also received guidance from other faculty and peers in discussing data interpretation and ensuring clarity in my writing. I did not travel to archives, archeological sites, national labs, or conferences this semester, as my research was primarily data-driven and conducted through literature review and secondary data analysis.

My next steps are focused on preparing for my thesis defense. This includes finalizing my written thesis, creating a data-driven slide deck to clearly communicate my key findings and assertions, and incorporating any last feedback from my advisor. Completing the defense will mark the culmination of this two-semester research project and set the stage for publishing my work.