"You should go for it": Undergraduates' work published in law and politics journal

Ohio University students Abigail Scherer and Zachary Donaldson were featured in the first publication of The Undergraduate Politics and Law Journal at Fairleigh Dickinson University. 

With the support of Ohio University faculty, these students submitted their work last October for publication in the Spring 2023 issue.

Abigail Scherer graduated from Ohio University in the Spring of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Honors Tutorial College (HTC).

Scherer’s article, “The Impact of Policy: How Section 8 Shapes Citizenship,” explains the analytical tool she developed and used in her thesis. Dr. Kathleen Sullivan served as the advisor for her thesis and assisted in her submission to the journal. When describing her experience during the writing process, Scherer said

“Before this article and my thesis, I don’t think I felt like I had something to say, and now I feel like I have contributed to the academic conversation around housing.” 

Zachary Donaldson is a third-year student in political science in HTC. Donaldson wrote his article “Xi and Putin: Comparing Operational Codes and looking to Taiwan and Ukraine” during his tutorial with Dr. Nukhet Sandal. Donaldson said “the most rewarding part of the process [was] being able to see something I put a lot of intention and effort behind get published in a professional academic forum.” 

When asked if they had advice for students interested in getting their work published, Scherer said, “You should go for it! It’s great to have your work published, especially if you are interested in continuing your education.” 

Donaldson offered a similar sentiment, encouraging students to “pursue a topic [they] are passionate about and capable of making an informed argument on.” He added that “if you have the drive and desire to make your work meaningful, the writing will carry itself.

Kevin Uhalde, director of the Center for Law, Justice and Culture and associate professor of history, expressed his pride in the two students’ accomplishment. 

“Getting an article published and going through the peer review process is no small feat, especially for undergraduates,” he said. “The Center has always sought to support student and faculty research in law and society fields as well as our pre-law programs and social advocacy organizations. I’m happy to see Abigail and Zach draw attention to their research.”