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The 2022 Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference on April 8 highlighted ���ӽ紫ý’s new slogan, , by uniting students from across different programs and departments to showcase Mason’s commitment to research and its impact.

“Because it’s an interdisciplinary conference, it gave me more perspectives that I may have not considered in my field for my dissertation,” said Maria Isabella Cristea, a PhD student at the Public University of Navarre in Spain, who is doing a research stay in Mason’s for her look at help-seeking related to LGBTQ intimate partner violence.

Graduate students studying everything from human development to bioengineering were selected from a peer-reviewed application process to exhibit their research through posters and oral presentations. The conference also featured the final round of Mason’s Three-Minute Thesis competition, which challenges graduate students to present their dissertation or thesis research in a three-minute talk.

The event ended a week of celebration around Mason’s and began with a breakfast and panel discussion sponsored by Mason’s 50th Anniversary Committee.

The discussion, moderated by Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic development at Mason, detailed how ideas and research should go beyond academic discussions to having real-world impact.

Key to this, the panelists said, was being open to hearing different voices.

Aisha Yusuf, a PhD candidate from the who presented on ethnic identity and the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Africa, put that message into action.

“You’re not only listening and learning, but you also get new ideas to apply to your research,” Yusuf said. “I just met someone from a different college at Mason who also presented, and her topic is similar to mine so we’re thinking of collaborating.”

Because the conference was focused on Mason student presenters, it provided them a friendly environment, in front of peers and faculty, to hone their presentations. Students also had the opportunity to build interest in their research, network with those outside of their immediate circle, and get honest feedback to enhance their presentations.

“This is really important, because interdisciplinary research is fast becoming the name of the game in academia and beyond, whether you're going into academia or into applied work,” said Steven Zhou, president of the (GAPSA) and a planning committee member. “No matter what career field you end up in, you’re going to be talking to people outside of your discipline, so it’s always good to get experience in that.”

The conference was co-hosted by GAPSA, , and the .

“It was so amazing and inspiring seeing students present their research and what they do,” Yusuf said. “It makes me appreciate graduate students and how hard they work.”

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