PhD in Cultural Studies

Ashley Gaddy Robbins, 2023

What were some of your academic interests during your time at Mason? Was there a particular class or research area that held particular interest for you?

Race and gender, biopolitics

Are there faculty or staff members who have made a difference thus far during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

My dissertation committee Paul Smith (chair), Wendi Manuel Scott, and Iccha Basnyat supported and pushed me.

What was/were your favorite class(es)?

“Gender and Sexuality” & “Social Institutions after Foucault”

What was your greatest accomplishment?

The perseverance of completing the 10-year doctoral journey while working full-time and becoming a wife and mother.

How has your experience as part of CHSS impacted your life following graduation? How do you hope to use your degree and studies in the future?

Only 6 months from graduation I have received two publication acceptance letters and a scholarship for an international writer’s retreat. There was room to be passionate about my research, not just a check box.