McNair scholar explores global perspectives on justice

What began as research hours turned into a life-changing academic journey for Hannah Amerson, allowing them to learn about Stasi political prisons, study abroad and network with fellow researchers.  

Amerson is a  McNair scholar and is currently working on their research proposal about paradigm shifts with Ed Hinck, a communications faculty member. A paradigm shift happens when the underlying assumptions of something are changed. 

They are a sociology major and is minoring in psychology, sustainability and environmental policy. Amerson is researching the effectiveness of Angela Davis’s rhetoric in “Are Prisons Obsolete.”  

“I have a really strong sense of justice and kind of like empathy towards others, so I dove into Davis’s text,” Amerson said.  

They expanded their understanding about paradigm shifts in incarceration. Conveniently, Hinck has done extensive work involving prison space and service-learning projects, which led him to become Amerson’s McNair mentor.  

Amerson asked, “Why hasn’t Davis’s text resulted in actually abolishing the prisons, or why hasn’t the paradigm shift happened if all of the arguments are sound?” 

Amerson delved deeper into the text to conduct an ideological critique, examining whether Davis's logic had flaws, whether her concepts were not well pieced together or whether she employed any alienating language. 

“Since I was like 17 or 18, the idea of completely changing everything you know was kind of exciting to me, not scary like other people,” Amerson said. “It really opened up my universe and experiences.” 

They chose to study paradigm shifts because of their eagerness to grasp new ideas.  

“Some combination of being interested in understanding why people hold onto things that aren’t necessarily affective,” they said. “This is what it takes to move us forward to something more equitable.”  

Amerson took the opportunity to travel to Ireland and Germany over the summer, thanks to CMU’s Honors Program and the McNair scholarship.  

During their time in Germany, Amerson visited the Hohenschönhausen prison memorial, which had a significant impact on their McNair research. 

In Ireland, they completed a module at the University of Limerick about campaigning for social justice through social media.  

They also completed an independent study with their sociology advisor, Thomas Greitens, a faculty member in the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service.  

Amerson conducted an informal survey with Grietens, which asked people around Limerick about ideas to create a less punitive society.  

“McNair and Honors have been helpful to work more one-on-one with each of my professors,” they said. “The professors in the sociology department are very open to discussions with students to help them move forward in our research.” 

Amerson has received endless support through the McNair Scholars program, and it has changed the way they think about their integration into academia. 

“Before finding McNair, I was always very solitary and isolated. I felt like I was fighting an uphill battle by myself, and everybody else was playing a game,” Amerson said.  

Now, they found a group of peers who seemed like-minded, which fostered and encouraged their own ambition and confidence, in a way, they thought was really beautiful.  

Having any support to help them focus on their research has been very helpful during their time at CMU.  

Outside of Amerson’s McNair studies, they are currently enrolled in a class on alternatives to incarceration and pursuing independent study projects related to prison abolition to expand their knowledge about paradigm changes.  

Amerson’s biggest accomplishment at CMU is the effect they have had on other people. If they see someone who needs help, they try to provide their best advice to students, specifically incoming freshman to give them college life advice.  

“I’ve answered questions about McNair and demystified things a little bit,” Amerson said. “I try to be a voice for other first-generation students and people with disabilities too, advocating for myself and others.” 

By the time Amerson graduates in May, they hope to have a finished draft of their McNair research. They will also finish their honors capstone regarding a global comparison of alternatives to incarceration across the world.