Gabrielle Blunier, an economics student at the University of Nevada, Reno, described on May 8 how her research journey has crossed academic boundaries and contributed to broader conversations about policy. Blunier said she became involved in undergraduate research early in her college career after learning about opportunities during freshman orientation.
The story highlights how students can apply their knowledge beyond their major fields and engage with complex societal issues through interdisciplinary research. Blunier’s experience shows that academic exploration is not limited by department or discipline.
“During my orientation when I came last year, I went to the information session for undergraduate research,” Blunier said. “I listened in and realized I could start doing this now and see if I actually like it. I’m a part of the Honors College, and it’s required in your freshman year to apply for a fellowship. So, I decided to apply for a Pack Research Experience Program (PREP); I ended up getting it, so it kind of threw me into research.”
Blunier pursued projects outside her main field by working with Melody Huslage, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the School of Social Work. Her current work examines how sex trafficking policies affect survivors, traffickers, and Nevada’s economy. “It’s one of those things where I want my knowledge to do something,” Blunier said. “I want to be able to look at policies in my future and be able to say this would be the most effective measure to change it.”
She explained that while her focus is on analyzing existing policies rather than proposing new ones, her background in economics remains relevant: “Research focusing on social work, humanities and social sciences – I think is very impactful,” Blunier said. “With my research project, I’m not necessarily saying that a particular policy can be put into place to change how things are being addressed. I’m researching policy on what has been done and how things could be uplifted and improved.”
Blunier credited Huslage for fostering independence while providing guidance throughout the process: “She gave me some semblance of independence to lift myself up and take my part of the research how I wanted it,” she said. “So, I think that her help is what made me feel confident and be like, okay, I can actually take on something that’s more grounded.”
Reflecting on her experience across disciplines, Blunier concluded: “It’s the idea that you need to kind of learn how to go with the flow and be innovative because that is…the basis of research—the fact that we are trying to foster innovation.”
