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Dissertation

My dissertation research focuses on how people discuss affirmative action in U.S. college admissions across social media platforms. More specifically, I aim to investigate the landscape of these discussions (e.g., what framings and rhetorical strategies are being used) and the impact of these discussions, both for those perceived to be beneficiaries and the broader public.

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Dissertation Committee:

Dr. Nicole Ellison, University of Michigan School of Information

Dr. Nazanin Andalibi, University of Michigan School of Information

External Member: Dr. Rob Eschmann, Columbia University School of Social Work

Cognate Member: Dr. Carson Byrd, University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education

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Funding:

My dissertation work has been generously funded by:

  • University of Michigan Anti-Racism Graduate Research Grant

  • University of Michigan Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

  • University of Michigan School of Information

Publications

  • Pyle, C. (2025, January). Investigating Affirmative Action Discussions on Social Media. In Companion Proceedings of the 2025 ACM International Conference on Supporting Group Work (pp. 103-105).


Presentations

  • Pyle, C. (2025). Investigating Affirmative Action Discussions on Social Media. ACM Conference on Supporting Group Work (GROUP) Doctorial Consortium. Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1145/3688828.3699650

  • Pyle, C. (2024). The Landscape and Impact of Affirmative Action Discussions on Social Media. Northeast HCI Meeting Doctoral Consortium. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, 2024.


Media

  • Coming soon!

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