Dr. O is a recent graduate of Kansas State University. She is a budding independent researcher and sustainable fashion enthusiast residing in Manhattan, KS.
“Ultimately, education itself is a radical act. Even if the only radical thing you do at first is learn, that’s still a meaningful start. ”
Emily Oertling
I moved out here for a chance to work with these great people, and it’s a delight in my life that I can contribute to my fibershed. The transformation into a sustainable fashion program takes a community, and I got a good one!
An honor this semester was receiving the Probationary Faculty Award from the Retirees Association. Being nominated for SSIS felt amazing. I’m a part of the largest college on campus with the most probationary faculty. It was also super sweet to be surprised in class in front of all my students.
My mentor, department chair, and nominator, Lynn Hanna, and I.
New workplaces often mean new professional organizations. Being in a FACS department means becoming familiar with AAFCS. Â It was a joy to be a part of their conference, and I hope to host the Western region in the years to come.
This collaborative paper presents three case studies on four scholars’ experiences with remote data collection. The authors highlight the challenges and strengths of online qualitative research across three disparate projects: an interdisciplinary exploration of matrilineal heritage, an examination of Irish women’s sexual identity and an investigation of dress practices among Tz’utujil-Maya.
Kicking off creative scholarship and undergraduate research in No. Cal has been so exciting. The Borrowed from the Soil Exhibition was the first showcase for Sac State undergraduate students, Andrea, and Kayley.
We’ve moved to Sacramento! I took an Assistant Professor position with the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. We’re six months in, and I can confidently say I made the right decision. The students here are excellent, and I’m nestled within a large and lovely fiber network.
The year marked more than a new job for me and our second cross-country move. We also welcomed our daughter, Hope, who arrived in January. Amongst this positive chaos, I gave six conference presentations, completed my first book chapter, and submitted my first article.
In summary, I am tired and will eventually continue posting my usual project updates in this space.
I spent every day of the first 5.25 months analyzing data and writing my dissertation. Then the following 3 months, I translated that information into Spanish. This feat would not have been possible without the Lonely Writers Club, a daily online meet-up group I began in December 2020, or my San Pedro sister, T.
From May onward, I started a new journey. Owen and I prepared for our first child, who arrived in January 2022.
In the 9 months before entering the world, we defended a dissertation, interviewed with 6 universities, officiated a wedding, and finally walled (more like waddled) at graduation.
The Local Fashion Global Impact project has continued under the supervision of Dr. Sherry Haar. Although I am no longer a part of this project I am thrilled to see that the funding I secured through the K-State Green Action Fund has allowed sustainable design work to continue. This year students are creating sets of aprons using the fabric we import from our cooperative partners in Choa Cruz, Guatemala. The first in-person auction will be held in the Spring.
Special thanks to Dr. Haar and this year’s students for having me in class. I am excited to see the outcomes.
To see the start of this journey view previous posts from year 1 and 2.
Opening Slide, Dissertation Defense – May 3rd, 2021
After 5 wonderful years I finally defended my dissertation. I am extremely proud of this work and have continued to fall in love with San Pedro and its’ residents. I am eager to return once it is safe, and maybe once I have the funding. I am very grateful to all of the people who have supported me in this journey, especially O & T.
You can watch the public portion of the defense here.
If you are interested in reading the document (it’s really fun, I swear) please let me know and I’ll send you a copy. I have versions in English and Spanish.
The semester is wrapping at K-State, and it has me looking back to the previous semesters. One of my favorite tasks as a graduate teaching assistant is to document undergraduate student work. Photos from the last documentation day are from Spring 2020. This was the last time I worked on campus, before heading to Guatemala and then, of course, COVID.Â
It always a great day when the sewing studio can be turned into a photo shoot. The undergraduates here are truly amazing.Â
Emily Oertling 