Area of Study: Political Science (PhD)
To fix a problem you need to acknowledge that it’s a problem!
Sophia Stockham is driven by her commitment to human rights advocacy, a dedication that is rooted in her personal experiences. Growing up with a speech impediment, she understands the importance of promoting respect for everyone. This commitment was enhanced by her mother's involvement in “Triangular Processing,” a company dedicated to providing day services to individuals with developmental disabilities, further shaping Sophia's commitment to promoting inclusivity and respect for all.
Inspired by the impactful work of faculty members, Sophia was eager to pursue her research interests in a program that takes the issues she's so passionate about seriously. Her academic journey started with her undergraduate advisor, Dr. Mark Simone at Bowling State University who encouraged her to apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), specifically for the human rights program. Currently immersed in two major projects, Sophia is exploring informed consent laws for pelvic examinations in the United States for her master's thesis. Simultaneously, she is researching the role of female peacekeepers in reducing sexual gender-based violence within peacekeeping missions. Sophia's research aims to bring awareness to critical topics that have a significant impact on various communities. She emphasizes that “to fix a problem you need to acknowledge that it’s a problem,” focusing on the intersectionality of different identities and power structures, Sophia aims to tackle issues ranging from gender and LGBTQ+ rights to colorism and xenophobia. She plans to make her research easily accessible to the public, recognizing how a lack of knowledge on critical issues, hinders understanding.
Sophia's story serves as a testament to the impact individuals can have on advocating for a more just and equal world through research, advocacy, and continuous community engagement. Sophia advises incoming students to get involved with the communities they aim to support. Drawing on her experience with Ohio Fair Housing and interning with Representative Marcy Kaptur, she learned the value of understanding community needs through one-on-one engagement. She encourages students to find issues they are passionate about and actively contribute to them.
