Humanities: Kirsten Bell '24/Take 5 '25
Major(s) and minor(s)
B.A. in History; B.A. in Classical Civilization
Minor in English Literature
Prounouns
She/Her
Hometown
Oswego, NY
Areas of interest/focus in research
Medieval and Classical History
Historical Formation of Stereotypes around Witchcraft
Intersections between Magic, Religion, and the Occult
Gender/Women's Studies
Labs / departments / offsite programs where research was conducted
History Department:
- Research Assistant for Professor Brianna Theobald
- Research Assistant for Professor Elias Mandala
- Senior Honors Thesis research about the formation of the witch stereotype through medieval depictions of the ancient witch Medea under Professor Laura Smoller
- Published/Presented research about the gendering of witchcraft under Laura Smoller
- Historical research about race in Latin America under Professor Molly Ball
Seward Family Digital Archive:
- Editor & Transcriber
Religion & Classics Department:
- Independent Research about the Cult of Isis, under Professor Nicholas Gresens
- Independent research titled, "The Gendering of Prophetic Possession: Female Seers in Ancient Greek Myth and Literature", under Professor Nicholas Gresens
About me...
Hello! My name is Kirsten and I'm a senior majoring in History & Classical Civilization and minoring in English Literature. The focus of my history major is Cultural and Intellectual History, as I am fascinated with both of these aspects present in societies all over the world. I am also writing a senior honors thesis for the History Department about the stereotypes surrounding witchcraft through studying medieval literary depictions of the ancient/mythological witch Medea. I have experience in museum studies/archival work as well through my internship in the Library and Archives at the Memorial Art Gallery. I am also a Peer Advisor for the History Department where I give advice to undergraduates about doing a history major and connect students with faculty. I work as an Undergraduate Assistant in the Robbins Library, which is a non-circulating medieval studies library that contains comprehensive holdings across global medieval history, literature, art, and culture.
I am also a strong believer in the power of the arts and believe that art should be made available to everyone. I am the Editor-in-Chief of LOGOS, the art and literature journal on campus, and the Media Publicity Director for the Gallery Curation Committee on campus. I believe that art can have powerful emotional impacts on individuals, as well as the power to create social and political change. Additionally, in order to further pursue this passion I am doing a Take 5 in Studio Art and GSWS in specifically printmaking and photography!
How has your experience as a researcher influenced your career objectives?
It has inspired me to pursue a career in academia. It is fascinating to me how historical research can provide context for modern problems/phenomenons and I would love to make a career out of pursuing my passions. I wasn't aware that I could make a career out of studying things like magic and perceptions of witchcraft but with a career in history you can pretty much study anything that interests you!
Campus organizations, programs, activities, clubs, awards/distinctions
Campus Groups:
- Former Editor-in-Chief of LOGOS: UR's Art & Literature Journal
- Former Media Publicity Director of the Gallery Curation Committee
- Former Secretary of UR Celtic
- UR Splash Undergraduate Teacher
Awards/Distinctions:
- Lasch Fellow
- History Honors Program
- Dean's List all eligible semesters
- Take 5 Scholar studying GSWS and Studio Art
- Presented Research at the European & Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium at the University of Pittsburgh (2023 & 2024)
- 2023 Schwartz Discover Grant Recipient
- 2023 Undergraduate Writing Colloquium Contest Finalist
- 2022 Humanities for Life Grant Recipient
- Presented my honors thesis research at the Harvard National Collegiate Research Conference in January (2023)
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Phi Alpha Theta (History Honors Society)
Fun Fact: when I'm not doing research you can usually find me...
Irish Dancing with UR Celtic, studying at Starbucks, or hanging out with friends in the library!
Areas where I may be particularly helpful
- Discover Grant app writing
- Grant Writing
- Humanities/Social Science Research Opportunities
- Interview/Networking Skills
What advice do you have for prospective or new researchers?
Don't let your major restrict your interest in research! As a History major I thought there weren't any opportunities for me but there most definitely are. Just because humanities/social science research might not look like "traditional" STEM research doesn't mean there aren't many opportunities available!
Email me at: kbell19@u.rochester.edu