UK student turns summer research project into poetry book

Summer break is nearing its end, and soon the University of Kentucky campus will once again be bustling with activity with the start of the fall semester. For many UK students, however, their ambition and drive didn’t stop because it was summer break. Summer is an ideal time for students to take a leap into an experience within their college careers that will propel them into their chosen career field. These experiences can be catalysts in their personal lives, exposing them to new people, environments and ideas they may not have been able to explore during the school year. Read below about UK student Beaux Hardin’s summer research experience, and follow along on UKNow in the coming weeks to learn about how other UK students spent their summers.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 23, 2024) – Just because classes are out for the summer at the University of Kentucky, does not mean students have put a pause on their educational pursuits. This summer, while many were enjoying a well-deserved break, UK junior Beaux Hardin was hard at work, deeply immersed in research that could have a lasting impact on their field of study. 

As a dedicated English and French double major in the UK College of Arts and Sciences, Lewis Honors College student, and Chellgren Fellow, Hardin has always been passionate about pushing the boundaries of knowledge, and this summer was no exception. 

Last semester, Hardin was awarded the College of Arts and Sciences’ Summer Undergraduate Research Award. Through this award, and support from mentor Jeorg Sauer, Ph.D., Hardin explored how Black poets in America and North Africa use colonized language to express culture to uplift themselves. Then, Hardin applied what they learned through the publishing of a chapbook — a short book of poetry — written in both English and French. 

Hardin’s summer project is a testament to both their unwavering commitment to their education and the rich opportunities available at UK for students eager to explore, innovate and make a difference.

Read more about Hardin’s summer research experience in the Q&A below, including where their passion stems from and how their research is enriching their academic journey. 

UKNOW: What first brought you to UK?

Hardin: Originally, I’m from Lexington, but about two years ago my family moved to the south of Cleveland. I chose to come to UK because I had heard the French and English programs, and specifically the creative writing program, were phenomenal (and they are). 

UKNOW: How did you get involved with the Chellgren Center – more specifically as a Chellgren student fellow? 

Hardin: During my freshman year, my Lewis Honors College counselor talked to me about undergrad research opportunities. That led to talk about programs and fellowships on campus, which led to undergrad research with faculty mentors, and I became invested. 

I’m also involved with Residence Life as a new resident advisor, Sigma Tau Delta (English Honor Society), Graphite: Creative Writing Club, the Gaines Center as a new fellow, and I’m also involved with Special Collections Research Center and their Learning Lab. 

UKNOW: Where does your interest in research and this particular field stem from?

Hardin: I suppose my interest in global education (writing and accessibility) stems from my own love of learning and wanting every kid to be able to have the opportunity to grow up with access to books and school, so they can love learning, too. Education should not be a privilege; it should be available to everyone, and my research goes into various areas of trying to help this situation. 

UKNOW: How did you learn about the College of Arts and Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Award? Tell us more about the research you conducted through winning the award this summer.

Hardin: I learned about this award from the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, both of which became more accessible to me through the Chellgren Center. And when I found out I had won the award I was just so shocked and excited, I wanted to start my project right away. 

The objective of my research was to explore how poets of the American Black Arts movement and from La Negritude movement in North Africa use their colonized language to express their culture and identity; to uplift themselves as a part of international “Black Pride” and then to exercise what I learned. I’ve applied what I’ve found through an implementation of 10 poems in both English and French. A variety of Black French poets and their writing from the La Negritude movement were looked at, specifically slang and nontraditional French. In reference to what the context of La Negritude brings to race literature, C.L.R. James, a scholar on La Negritude, wrote that “Negritude is what one race brings to the common rendezvous where all will strive for the new world of the poet’s vision.” And conversely, Black poets from the American Black Arts movement and their literature were looked at, specifically their African American vernacular English. From there, I’ve compared what I’ve found and seen what is similar between the two – what connects a people across an ocean. 

UKNOW: What inspired you to turn this research into a chapbook?

Hardin: Part of it was due to accessibility, creativity and wanting to “practice what was preached.” Anybody can write a paper but that doesn’t mean those outside of academics would be able to read and understand it. Through creating poetry, I could make a statement through art that everyone could understand and read.

As a Black queer individual, the pieces were written on the topic of Black pride, celebration and experience. This project culminates in a total of 20 poetry pieces in French and English – neither piece will be translated into the other, therefore the inherent meaning of the poems will change when read in both colonized languages. Some poems are in English and in French with the sentiment of what is said clear in both languages; there is no need to translate any writing into the other language. Some poems have an asterisk that denotes extra information that can be found at the bottom of the page; others do not and leave the mystery of what is said up to the reader.

[Another point] of publishing this chapbook is to have money generated from Black voices go back to the Black community; all proceeds will go to North African organizations that support and advocate for education like the “Morocco Foundation,” and an American organization that funds, supports and advocates for Black education, like NABSE (National Alliance of Black School Educators). 

UKNOW: What advice would you give a student wanting to get involved in research but not sure where to start?

Hardin: Ask your professors – generally they are the ones who will be working with you on research. You can also go to the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards just to inquire about opportunities! 

UKNOW: What is next for you? Any exciting future plans?

Hardin: I’m very excited to start the Gaines fellowship and my research internship at the Special Collections’ Learning Lab this fall!