Dear Future Me,
Right now, I’m sitting at my desk, buzzing with anticipation for what this summer will bring. I’m Siran, a Gender and Health major at the University of Michigan, originally from Beijing. I’ve chosen a research path that’s anything but easy—diving deep into reproductive justice and gendered health disparities—because I believe this work matters.
This summer, I’m working on a project exploring barriers to abortion access, specifically focusing on how intimate partners may influence or obstruct that access. I expect the learning curve to be steep—grappling with transcription ethics, interview analysis, and the messiness of real-world data—but I also know this is the kind of messy that teaches you the most. I hope to gain a sharper understanding of qualitative research practices and develop the discipline to follow through even when the work gets emotionally heavy.
I’m bringing with me a toolbox that blends theory and grit: a solid foundation in feminist epistemology, hands-on experience in advocacy, and a deeply personal connection to the stakes of this work. I know I’ll face challenges—time management, emotional burnout, impostor syndrome—but I also know I’m not alone. I’ve got mentors, peers, and a fire in my gut that’s kept me moving even when things get tough.
Future me, I hope you look back on this summer proud—not just of what you produced, but of how you showed up. I hope you stayed open, asked hard questions, and let the work change you. Because that’s what real research does. It doesn’t just generate knowledge—it reshapes the knower.
With courage,
Siran