?Anjali Gupta began her undergraduate research journey in September of her freshman year after receiving an email from the Purdue University College of Education about joining research projects. She expressed interest in a project focusing on school choice policy in Indianapolis and began working with her mentor, Dr. Bryan Duarte, assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies. Anjali’s research examines the effects of the growing number of charter schools on public school enrollment, funding, and equity. By analyzing financial and enrollment data, she discovered significant disparities in the differences of Black and Latinx students and between students receiving free or reduced-price lunches attending public and choice schools. Her work highlights critical inequities in access to education and the need for further investigation into the socioeconomic impacts of school choice policies. During the 2023 Fall Expo, Anjali’s poster presentation earned her second place for the College of Education, an achievement she considers one of her proudest moments. Reflecting on the experience, she shared how presenting her research to faculty and students helped her grow as a researcher and solidified her passion for educational policy. She credits Dr. Duarte’s guidance in enhancing her presentation, organizational, and analytical skills throughout the process. As a chemistry education major, Anjali plans to start her career as a teacher with hopes to eventually transition into a role in educational policy or research. Her experiences analyzing school data to draw meaningful conclusions highlighted the challenges facing public schools and strengthened her advocacy for equitable education. To other students interested in research, Anjali offers encouragement: “It’s ok if this seems out of your comfort zone! Your fellow researchers and mentors are here to support and guide you through the process. Even if you’re unsure, give it a shot for a semester. Who knows – you might find a new passion to explore in your future career! It feels good to help create new knowledge that’ll make a difference in the world.”
