Florida State University (FSU) has announced the selection of its largest group of Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellows, naming nine students as recipients. The fellowships are part of FSU’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement’s IDEA Grants program, which funds student-led research projects and creative initiatives across disciplines.
“These fellowships combine undergraduate research, global learning and mentorship,” said Latika Young, executive director of the Tyler Center. “We are proud to offer these opportunities to our fellows, who grow as researchers and global citizens while preparing for future careers.”
The Tyler Center was established in 2022 through a gift from William H. Tyler III via the Tyler Foundation. Hosted by FSU, the center connects undergraduate students from multiple institutions across the country to promote international research and collaboration.
This year’s cohort undertook projects in locations including Europe, South America, Africa, and the Caribbean. Their topics ranged from human rights and migration to art history and coral reef health.
Aiden Leslie traveled to São Paolo, Brazil to study motorcycle delivery drivers—known locally as Motoboys—and is producing a documentary with additional support from FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. “This is personal,” Leslie said. “Some of these workers are friends of mine. I wanted to highlight their stories and kickstart my career in human rights filmmaking and investigative journalism.”
Sophie Works conducted interviews in Riga, Latvia on Russian lacquer art among ethnic Russian Latvians. She also attended language courses at the Russian Language Academy (BORN). “My goal is to challenge institutionalized scholarly and commercial narratives by curating emotional, object-centered exhibitions and creating space for personal histories that often go unrecorded,” Works said.
Kaysyn Jones visited London to access archives related to the British Black Arts Movement for her Honors thesis project on Black identity within British salons during the 1980s–90s. “Going to London gave me access to the people and places that shaped this movement,” Jones said. “The Tyler Fellowship made this possible.”
Reagan Gibson went to Italy researching how Bourbon-era exports from Pompeii influenced archaeology today: “This experience allowed me to contribute to the archaeological and art history communities while I strengthen my skills before graduate school,” Gibson said.
Charlotte Stuart-Tilley studied human rights among Ghana’s Fulbe community: “I hope to better understand the global human rights discourse and how we can best protect marginalized communities from violence,” she stated.
Raven Watkins attended a forensic archaeology field school in Spain examining remains from the Spanish Civil War; her stop-motion animation project drew inspiration from cultural repression during that era: “I can reach my dream field of stop-motion while shining light on a historical perspective I am passionate about which deserves attention in the art canon for its significance on Spanish culture,” Watkins noted.
Sofia Lara conducted coral reef restoration research in Bonaire: “The opportunity to collaborate with doctoral candidates and collect meaningful reef data aligned perfectly with my interests in coral reef ecology and restoration,” Lara explained.
Lucas Gonzalez traveled to Germany studying adaptation strategies among Venezuelan immigrants living in Berlin: “This was my first take at real independent work…this research gives me hands-on experience understanding how immigrant communities work, which will be invaluable for my future career ambitions,” Gonzalez remarked.
Feyikemi Poitier explored Black dance forms in Paris through immersive fieldwork involving classes, performances, interviews: “As an aspiring choreographer…this research will fuel future projects in the field,” Poitier said.
Since its launch three years ago, 30 FSU students have participated as fellows; their work has been featured at FSU’s President’s Showcase for Undergraduate Research Excellence. The Tyler Network now includes 12 partner institutions nationwide with $220,000 awarded this year alone.
“We’re proud to welcome new partners to the Tyler Network,” Young added. “This includes public and private institutions from Hawai‘i to New York, community colleges to large research universities.”
FSU will host its second annual Virtual Summit on November 20 where fellows will present their findings online; registration closes November 10.
Students interested in applying or learning more about these opportunities may contact FSU’s Center for Undergraduate Research or visit honors.fsu.edu/honors-major.
