Parenthood status does give insight and influences the work of some people in and around paleoanthropology. To both Dr. Hodgkins and the anonymous participant, parenthood status was something that enhanced their work and brought a new lens to it.
To varying degrees, we can bring our own lives into our work, but opinions are split on how we should do that or if we should at all. I was told that this can be a kind of controversial issue and my responses reflected this.
I am planning on continuing this project for my independent study in Fall 2025. I want to continue looking at parenthood status, and investigate whether there's a gendered difference in how mothers and fathers feel about how we should relate to other hominins.
Career and self development: This was a very important networking opportunity as I've made contact with multiple professionals in and adjacent to paleoanthropology. I've also put my interviewing skills to the test, and gotten better and more confident in it over the course of this project.
Equity and inclusion: The voices of parents, especially mothers, in paleoanthropology are often absent. Dr. Hodgkins in particular spoke on how she didn't feel properly supported as a mother doing fieldwork. Over the course of this project I learned that childcare and stigma around working mothers are big issues for paleoanthropologists who do fieldwork and that mothers' voices need to be listened to when planning and funding fieldwork so that their childcare needs can be met.
Professionalism: I was aware that I was acting as a representative of Miami University when interacting with professionals from other institutions or who are unaffiliated with any institution, and I did my best to present Miami University in a good light. I also learned more about how to interact with other professionals in a way that's respectful and helpful.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my faculty mentor Dr. John Schaefer for his support and encouragement, the staff of the Miami Regionals Tutoring and Learning Center and TRIO for accommodating my schedule and cheering me on, my mother for creating me and teaching me about how hard having a career can be as a mother, my friends who listened to me ramble about fossils despite the fact that they had no idea what I was talking about, and the Office of Research for Undergraduates for funding this project and providing me with training and resources.