Michael Williams Presents Undergraduate Research at Beloit College Symposium Day

BELOIT, WI (04/25/2012)(readMedia)-- Michael Williams '12 of Eden Prairie, Minn., presented his research on "Making Makers: Masculinity, Gender and Identity in the Maker Movement" at the 36th Annual Beloit College Student Symposium on Thursday, April 12. He is an anthropology major and an economics & management major.

Symposium Day at Beloit College is an academic forum at which students publicly present their research to the college community. All classes are cancelled to allow students, faculty and staff to attend the presentations. Topics range from scientific studies to interpretations of literary works. Each of the nearly 90 students participating in the program prepare a half-hour oral presentation or make poster presentations of original research conducted during the 2011-2012 academic year. Symposium Day participants are honored at a closing reception.

Using a nearby hackerspace as a case study, Williams' presentation explores the Maker movement and looks at constructions and performance of masculine identities in the Maker subculture.

Beloit College is a residential, liberal arts college offering 40 majors to its 1,250 students. Located 90 miles northwest of Chicago, Beloit is one of the nation's most international colleges, drawing students from 41 nations as well as 49 states.