Jolene Potter '18 Participates in Summer Research Fellowship at Eastern

2017 Jul 18

Jolene Potter '18 is one of two Eastern Connecticut State University students participating in an Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Fellowship this summer. During the fellowship, she is preparing her research study, "Awareness and Understanding of Rape Culture among College Students," for publication.

Potter, a Dayville native who majors in psychology, began her research in fall 2016 and hopes to submit a 9,000-word manuscript to an undergraduate research journal at the conclusion of the summer fellowship.

"Through in-depth interviews with Eastern students, my research examines how students define, perceive and reproduce notions about rape culture," said Potter. "The study explores student acceptance of rape myths, their victim-blaming behavior and their tendency to defend the perpetrator. I also assess feelings regarding campus safety, beliefs regarding the necessity and efficacy of campus programs regarding sexual assault, and awareness of services for victims of sexual assault."

Potter reports that her findings suggest "an association between awareness and understanding of rape culture and decreased rape myth acceptance and victim-blaming behavior, increased concerns pertaining to campus safety, and increased awareness of services offered to victims of sexual assault."

Conversely, she notes that limited understanding of rape culture is associated with increased rape-myth acceptance and victim-blaming behavior, decreased concerns related to campus safety, and decreased awareness of resources.

Potter is spending the summer working closely with her research mentor Mary Kenny, professor of anthropology, verifying her work and fine-tuning her language so it is suitable for an academic journal.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Kenny for the opportunity to conduct this research as well as for her continued guidance in the completion of this study," said Potter. "Conducting this research has profoundly changed the direction of my future aspirations," said Potter. "It has fueled a passion for studying sexual violence and advocating for victims of sexual assault and interpersonal violence.

"I hope to continue researching these issues so that I may contribute to policies and practices that provide more protection to victims as well as more comprehensive, organized and useful information to students," added Potter. "This fellowship is providing me with a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the scholarly literature in this field."

Eastern's Summer Research/Creative Activity Fellowship program is administered by the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Advisory Council. Students from all majors can apply for the competitive fellowship. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend and $250 for travel.