Riley Simmons World CUR 2023 Spotlight
Riley Simmons
Junior, Anthropology and History major, Spanish minor
Research Mentor: Carol Street
Research Project Title
"Letters Are All We Have: A Wartime Love Story"
Brief Project Description
"Against the backdrop of the horrors of World War II, U.S. Naval pilot Tom Field and Australian teacher Nancie Davis met during his service in Australia and fell in love for a lifetime. Utilizing their cache of recently discovered wartime love letters that were donated to the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center, this graphic novel visualizes their service and love story. The collection includes pictures, newspapers, and over 500 letters from 1941 to 1945. This graphic novel intends to tell the lessons of love, loss, and relocation from Tom and Nancie’s story, lessons that are still relevant in the 21st century."
I enjoy research because... "I enjoy research because it has led me to new places, opportunities, and possibilities. Research is exhilarating because it never ends, I go down a rabbit hole and find something new and exciting every day."
What excites you most about attending World CUR?
"I am so excited to attend WorldCUR because this will be my first time out of the country! I am interested to interact with other undergraduates from around the world and see the research they have done."
What has been the most interesting aspect of your research experience so far?
"The most interesting aspect of my research experience has been relating to what people experienced almost eighty years ago. When I was reading the letters from the Nancie Emerson Davis and Thomas Field Papers, it felt like a novel that I could not put down. I became invested in their story and what they experienced during World War II."
How has undergraduate research impacted your college experience?
"Undergraduate research has elevated my college experience in ways I never thought possible. I have made new connections with faculty members and fellow students that have inspired me in my research. This experience has given me a new sense of confidence in my abilities and a new excitement for the possibilities of my future."
List 2 fun facts about you:
"My favorite animal is a koala. I used to have six guinea pigs."