On April 29th, APLING doctoral student Nasiba successfully defended her dissertation project titled “Experiencing Race in Transnational Contexts: Racial Literacies of First-Year International Asian Students.” With a committee comprising Dr. Gounari Panayota (chair), Dr. Etienne Corinne, Dr. Hadi Banat, and Dr. Sclafani Jennifer, she embarked on an exploration that dives deep into the racial experiences of first-year international East Asian students.

Her research delves into how these students perceive race, racism, and racialized groups, both in their home countries and here in the United States. Utilizing critical ethnography, Nasiba aims to capture the nuanced perspectives of East Asian international students and the composition faculty who teach them.

For her study, Nasiba employs a variety of methodologies. From semi-structured interviews and journal entries to racial literacy autobiographies and class observations, she aims to paint a comprehensive picture of how students engage with concepts of race and their experiences in a predominantly anti-racist, health-promoting public institution.

Her findings are both revealing and thought-provoking. International students from East Asian backgrounds often use different lenses to define race, showcasing their intersectional perspectives. Moreover, despite facing racism, her participants are in denial about their experiences while simultaneously grappling with anti-Black sentiments. Additionally, Nasiba emphasizes the complex relationship between socio-economic class, the use of English names, and the adoption of Whiteness that impacts racial dynamics and integration. Nasiba’s work serves as a vital contribution to understanding how these experiences shape both students’ lives and broader pedagogical approaches in academic settings.

Congratulations, Dr. Norova!