Heather Lee is the 2025 recipient of the Erika Fairchild Award for Outstanding Paper from the Department of Political Science, School of Public and International Affairs.
“Our students produce tremendous, original research as undergraduates, and Heather exemplifies this excellence,” said her mentor, Dr. Steven Greene. “She devoted two full semesters to researching public opinion, mastering statistical software, conducting original data analysis, and writing up a formal political science conference paper.”
Heather presented her paper, “Public Understanding and Misconceptions About Abortion,” at the spring Midwest Political Science Association conference.
“My independent research project had a profound impact on my educational experience,” Lee said. “Spending an extended amount of time focused on one topic allowed me to explore the subject in a way that is not possible in the traditional classroom setting. I was able to learn more about the intricate nuances of public knowledge on abortion — an opportunity that I would not have had if I did not pursue independent research.”
Lee also gained valuable transferable skills through her research: “This process strengthened other essential skills that I will carry well beyond graduation such as time management, critical thinking, and data analysis, she said.”
Lee appreciates the guidance she received throughout the project. “Working with Dr. Greene was one of the most valuable aspects of my research experience,” she explained. “His extensive expertise on abortion and public opinion provided meaningful guidance and feedback throughout every stage of the project. I’m incredibly grateful for his mentorship, support, and consistent encouragement throughout the process.”
Dr. Greene noted the significance of Lee’s research: “Heather’s work examines public understanding and misconceptions about abortion, a topic that requires careful analysis and rigorous methodology. Her findings contribute valuable insights to our understanding of how the public forms opinions on complex policy issues.”
Lee’s advice for current students considering an independent research project: “Choose a topic you’re truly passionate about and interested in exploring in depth. Independent research gives you a unique opportunity to dive deeply into an area of political science that genuinely interests you, so make the most of it!”
She also shared strategies that helped her manage the scope of her ambitious project. “Starting a research project from scratch can definitely feel overwhelming at times. One strategy that really helped me was setting small, manageable weekly deadlines throughout the semester,” Lee said. “With other classes and assignments competing for your time, having consistent, realistic goals kept me on track. Weekly in-person check-ins with Dr. Greene were also incredibly valuable for staying focused and accountable.”
Lee encourages students to embrace the inevitable challenges of research: “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It’s easy to get discouraged when things go wrong — speaking as someone who had to recode their dataset at least three times — but mistakes are a natural part of the research process. They’re frustrating, yes, but also essential for growth, both academically and personally. Every researcher goes through it — even your professors — so take those challenges as learning opportunities.”
A double major, Lee graduated summa cum laude in May with bachelor’s degrees in both political science and sociology with a minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. She plans to work and travel before eventually pursuing a master’s degree in political science.
The Erika Fairchild Award is awarded annually to the graduating senior in the Department of Political Science who has written the best research paper during the academic year. Fairchild was a professor of political science at North Carolina State University, where she was also the Associate Dean of the College of Humanities.
