Jordyn Marlin, keynote speaker at the 2018 Regional Phi Alpha Theta conference

During the Regional Phi Alpha Theta 2018 conference, I was able to see historical PhD first hand, via our keynote Jordyn Marlin. This presentation was from an archaeological and city planning focus to address the Dalriadic Scots possible migration patterns into Argyll. Her research spanned into direct artifacts and early construction pattern analysis. While the undergraduate research is mostly literary based, Jordyn gave a new possibility and perspective to the approach of more rigorous research. Pictured above, she explained the historical bias of each side of the current migration debate due to deep cultural ties between the Scottish and Irish people. I also heard specific limitations to her bias and the validity of physical artifacts due to geographical proximity. This furthers my understanding of historical investigation and consideration of studies at the graduate level. Being around peers of undergraduate students gave me the experience of presenting and discussing my own research at a conference; however, the ability to sit in on graduate research gave me additional perspectives on how it is conducted and various methods. I thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity, during my History of American Sexuality class, to develop topics and themes into well supported arguments. I still have two large research focused history courses to finish the major and I look forward to using that opportunity to incorporate lessons that I learned from my peers and graduate level students.

2018 Regional Phi Alpha Theta Conference