This summer, the Feminist Research Institute hosted interns due to the generous sponsorship of the CITRIS Banatao Institute. We wanted to highlight our summer interns, namely who they are, what their final project was, what they learned from this internship, and their goals.  

Tianeh Parsi 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Currently, I am entering my final year at UC Davis as a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major. My career goals are to become a reproductive endocrinologist, which is a physician who deals with comprehensive hormonal disorders like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and more! In 5 years , I will see myself in my third year of medical school. I would have just started my clinical rotations and would probably be feeling overwhelmed, but excited to start a new chapter of my educational journey!

What was your final project about? My final project studied the manifestations of everyday militarism in daily life. I focused on describing militarism as an affect, where socio-political contexts shape how individuals perceive war. But what exactly is militarism? At its core, militarism is the belief that war is necessary and purposeful, violence is normal, and soldiers are to be glorified. Some direct examples of this include school plays that act out battle scenes or bulletproof fashion marketed to insecure mothers, with catchphrases like “Loved by moms and law enforcement alike.” Through my research, I also uncovered how the Department of Defense is indirectly involved in funding public schools through programs like JROTC, as well as university research projects, further embedding militarism into everyday life.

What did you gain from this internship? Most of my summer was spent reading and researching papers that explore the intersection of various topics with AI, particularly through a feminist science and technology lens. As a future healthcare professional, the insights I gained into how AI is developed and how it is planned to be used in the future are invaluable. While researching for my final project, I came across a compelling example on the UC Davis campus: the bird flight research center, which received millions of dollars from the Department of Defense to develop drone technology. Although it is publicly marketed as a tool for fighting wildfires and delivering packages, it's unlikely that the military’s intended use aligns with these civilian applications. My research underscores the importance of following the money and questioning the motives behind scientific research. Funding often shapes the direction of research, which is something I believe everyone should remain critically aware of. Overall, my summer with FRI reignited my critical thinking skills and helped me approach academic research with a more analytical and socially conscious lens!

Ana Baena 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I envision myself in five years as a college counselor helping students from a variety of backgrounds with their academic paths. My goal after I graduate from UC Berkeley, is to start an internship or a job where I can use my ideals and abilities. Although I'm very interested in college advising, I also know that I'm equipped to pursue a variety of occupations because of my diverse experiences, particularly in research, teaching, and ethical technology. I want to work in fields that help people and the environment, whether it is tech justice, sustainability, or education. I'm confident I'll find a way to make a difference.

What was your final project about? My final project investigated warm robots, which are emotionally compelling devices made to appear friendly, particularly in caregiving contexts like elder care or healthcare. I concentrated on the politics of these machines, asking who benefits, whose work they replace, and whether they promote or perpetuate inequality. This is significant because automation runs the potential of increasing the undervaluation, racialization, and feminization of care employment. By investigating real-world instances and evaluating them using feminist and ethical frameworks, I was able to make the connection between theory and practice. My project sought to demonstrate how robotics design choices are a reflection of broader society ideals and the need for more inclusive, human centered technological approaches.

What did you gain from this internship? I was not completely certain about what to expect when I started this internship. However, it turned out to be one of the most valuable educational experiences I’ve had. Academically, I deepened my understanding of feminist theory, AI ethics, and posthumanism, and learned how to apply these frameworks to real-world examples like warm robots used in healthcare and education. Personally, I learned to trust my curiosity and take ownership of my voice as a researcher. Exploring how automated care labor often invisibilizes the contributions of women, especially women of color, helped me reflect on the systems I want to challenge in my future work. Most importantly, I discovered that research isn’t just about information, it’s about using our own experiences, using knowledge to uplift marginalized voices, and imagine more just technological futures.

And again, we truly thank the CITRIS Banatao Institute for not only giving this internship opportunity to these brilliant minds.