A letter from Jun 27, 2026

Dear Emma, As I begin my experience here at SRA, I want to be intentional about the goals I set for myself to track the person I grow to become throughout the process. I want to invest fully in my track and my research team. I strive to make my best efforts to get to know my teammates, fully engage in every meeting, communicate openly, and approach discussions with an open mind rather than making assumptions. I hope to establish clear expectations and boundaries early on so our team can work efficiently and respectfully. I also want to be proactive in planning ahead by sharing my schedule and research plans with my teammates, checking in regularly to ensure our priorities stay aligned, and meeting with my group at least once each day. Most importantly, I want to hold myself accountable for completing my work while also being someone my teammates can rely on for support whenever they need it. Academically, I hope to contribute an appetite for curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to engage deeply with difficult questions while learning from faculty and peers whose experiences and perspectives differ from my own. What excites me most about SRA is the opportunity to approach artificial intelligence through historical and philosophical perspectives, which I hope will deepen my understanding of how these technologies emerge, transform society, and continue to evolve to this day. I hope to see you move beyond using AI as a tool and instead critically examine it through the lens of its development, limitations, ethical challenges, and broader societal implications. I hope that during my time here at SRA, I will become a more collaborative, rigorous, and intellectually versatile researcher. I want to become comfortable receiving feedback, constantly refining ideas through discussion, and recognizing how to construct strong research. I hope to develop the patience to embrace ambiguity, carefully evaluate evidence, and be willing to change my perspective even when things seem uncertain. I also want to strengthen my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, ask thoughtful questions, and contribute proactively to our team, working toward a shared goal. Coming into SRA, much of my research experience has been independent. While that has taught me initiative and perseverance, I know that strong research is strengthened by collaboration and diverse perspectives. I hope SRA teaches me how to navigate the nature of research where uncertainty, revision, and even failure are essential parts of discovery. By the end of the program, I hope you leave with a stronger understanding of AI and its intersections with the social sciences, and a deeper appreciation for what it truly means to be a thoughtful and collaborative scholar! Best wishes and good luck, Emma L