Suffolk Reporter

Laci Burton, recognized as the URECA researcher of the month for March, is a University Scholar at Stony Brook University. She majors in English with minors in Writing and Rhetoric and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. As part of her academic pursuits, she participates in the English Department’s Honors Program. Under the guidance of Susan Scheckel, an associate professor in the Department of English, Burton has written a senior capstone thesis that examines how Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House" utilizes Dr. Nandor Fodor's psychoanalytic theory.

Burton also works on additional projects with Sara Santos from the Program in Writing and Rhetoric and Liz Montegary from the Department of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Last summer, she received support from URECA to conduct archival research at the Library of Congress. There, she examined Shirley Jackson’s unpublished journals, letters, and notebooks. Her findings are being prepared for publication. She presented her work at the SBU Graduate Conference in February 2024 and will present later this month at both the national Sigma Tau Delta convention in Pittsburgh and a symposium at Purdue University.

Looking ahead, Burton plans to pursue graduate studies focusing on English with an emphasis on gender and sexuality studies. Reflecting on her journey, she advised students: “It’s important to make a connection with the faculty around you — other people within the department... really seek them out.”

Burton made history as the first Stony Brook undergraduate chosen for the National Humanities Leadership Council hosted by the National Humanities Center from November 2022 to June 2023. During this time, she conducted research including an interview with artist Hannah Laycock about disability advocacy. Additionally, she engaged with Herstory Writers Network sharing personal narratives about living with disabilities.

On campus, Burton has been active on several councils including serving on the Dean’s Advisory Council and organizing a Humanities Research Day last spring. She holds leadership roles such as president of Alpha Nu Zeta English Honor Society and contributes as a senior tutor and global affairs coordinator for the Writing Center.

For more insights into her research journey, read her full interview with URECA Director Karen Kernan.