DRN Share Out: Elevating faculty scholarship across MSU

February 10, 2026 - Micaela Flores and Deborah J. Johnson, Ph.D.

On Jan. 29, 2026, the Diversity Research Network, or DRN, hosted its DRN Share Out, a virtual evening showcase designed to amplify faculty scholarship, gather community and celebrate multidisciplinary excellence at Michigan State University. Through a series of engaging flash talks and a concluding discussion, faculty shared their research, creative work, and scholarly achievements with fellow colleagues and peers.

This year’s Share Out featured three faculty presenters whose work spans disciplines, geographies and methodologies. The evening began with Dr. Shayan Rajani, assistant professor of history, who shared how his scholarship explores historical memory, power and individualism in his recently published book, "Leaving Legacies: The Individual in Early Modern South Asia."

Then, Dr. Safoi Babana-Hampton, professor of French and francophone studies, discussed "Chœurs Atlantiques | Tales from the Atlantic Beyond," a film she directed and produced. Her creative project illuminates transatlantic narratives, memory and cultural exchange.

The final flash talk of the evening featured Dr. Andrea Louie, professor of anthropology and founding director of the Asian Pacific American Studies program at MSU. Dr. Louie shared insights from her book, "Chinese American Mothering: Toy Len Goon’s Legacy and the Myth of the Model Minority," which examines family history, migration and racialized narratives in the United States.

 

Shayan Rajani, Leaving Legacies: The Individual in Early Modern South Asia

    

 

Safoi Babana-Hampton, Chœurs Atlantiques | Tales from the Atlantic Beyond

    

 

Andrea Louie, Chinese American Mothering: Toy Len Goon’s Legacy and the Myth of the Model Minority

   

 

Since 2017, the DRN has hosted eight Share Out events, held in-person before the COVID-19 pandemic and virtually in the years since. Throughout these events, 23 faculty projects have been featured, more than 26% of which received support through the DRN Launch Awards Program, a small grant opportunity for MSU faculty. Together, these programs have engaged over 55 attendees in scholarly dialogue related to the manuscripts, books, films, art exhibitions and performances offered by featured faculty.

Interested in joining the next DRN Share Out? Sign up for DRN email notices by emailing drn@msu.edu to subscribe to the faculty and post-doc listserv.

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