Background

Jessica has taken full advantage of opportunities to supplement her studies throughout her academic career, including participation in internships and study or presentation of her work in 11 countries or territories.

In 2008, Jessica conducted ethnographic and quantitative research and analysis on vendor and consumer perceptions of authenticity and involvement in the conceptualization of Samoan handicraft products through the Mellon Summer Research Grant in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her paper was accepted to the 2009 Association of Consumer Research Asia-Pacific Conference in Hyderabad, India.

Jessica also carried out documentary photographic studies of Bozo fishermen in and around Bamako, Mali in 2008, working alongside Malian photographer Fatoumata Diabaté. The preliminary product of this work was displayed as a joint show with Ms. Diabate at l’Institut National des Arts in Bamako in November. Jessica mounted a solo exhibition of this work, "Bozo: Les Pêcheurs du Mali (Fishermen of Mali)" at Austin College in April 2009.

In May 2009, Jessica completed her undergraduate degree magna cum laude with a double major in Fine Arts and Anthropology (concentrations in photography and visual cultural anthropology). In September 2010, she completed her Masters degree with Distinction in Visual Anthropology at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.

Fieldwork

2009-10 - Southeast England, UK - "Violence in the System: A Critical Analysis of the UK Asylum System"
2008 - Bamako, Mali - "Bozo: Fishermen of Mali"
2008 - Apia, Samoa - "The Commodification of Culture: An Analysis of the Samoan Handicrafts Market"

Specializations

Anthropology
socio-cultural anthropology, visual anthropology, immigration, public health, structural violence, social network analysis, local arts

Geographic Areas
North Texas, Samoa, Mali, Southeast England

Practice/ Research-Led Approaches
photo elicitation, multimedia (video, audio, film) production, critical feedback loop creation

Collaboration and Advocacy
applied anthropology, critical theory, action research, new and social media platforms