WKU News

November 20th, 2025, four students travelled to St. Louis, Missouri, with Professor Timothy Rich. Two of the students presented their research, funded by Faculty Undergraduate Student Engagement (FUSE) grants, at the annual International Studies Association (ISA) Midwest Conference.                                                   

International Affairs major Lydia Crisp presented her FUSE research project, From Passion to Pragmatism: Economic Priming and South Korean Support for Reunification, co-authored with Professor Rich. On her experience, Lydia says that “it was a great opportunity to not only get helpful feedback from experienced professionals but also network with people of similar interests.” 

Majoring in International Affairs, Chinese, Legal Studies, and Asian Religions and Cultures, Elizabeth Mikeworth shared a similar experience presenting her FUSE research project, Who Belongs: Public Opinion on Immigration and Identity in South Korea, also co-authored with Professor Rich.  

Students Veronica Butler and Campbell Lahman also attended, with the former currently working on her own FUSE project, Explaining Youth Political Disengagement. She plans to present at the annual Kentucky Political Science Association Conference in February.