Dr. Diana Saiki
<b>Department: </b>Applied Business Studies<br><b>Research Area: </b> Social and historical aspects of dress and appearance. <br>Areas of interest: fashion theory, fashion history, and appearance management. <br>
Department: Applied Business Studies
Research Focus: My research is on social and historical aspects of dress and appearance. Areas of interest include: fashion theory, fashion history, and appearance management. I focus on dress and dressing behavior of diverse groups including varied genders, individuals of varying age, gender, and disability.
Potential Student Project(s):
Project 1: Evaluating the perception of individuals with disability on their observations of biases and barriers due to appearances.
Project 2: Evaluating the theory of "lookism" or biased treatment or judgments made as a result of percieved attractiveness. Specifically students will engage in examining the literature about "lookism" and social media.
Project 3: To research garments from a historic costume collection and, in collaboration with a team of faculty and students, to develop a publicity event featuring these garments.
Attributes/skills/background sought in undergraduate:
- Ability to search and compile simple data from various databases.
- Ability to assist in collecting and analyzing data from diverse populations.
- Ability to assist in analyzing historic artifacts.
- Ability to create visual displays for historic and publicity purposes.
- Ability to work with a team of faculty and students.
Mentoring Plan: I am expecting the following from the student which includes:
Project 1
- Gathering and reviewing background information using library resources.
- Assisting in conducting interviews with college students with disabilities.
- Assisting in analyzing interview results.
Project 2
- Gathering and reviewing background information using library resources.
- Assisting with collection of data using content analysis of written and visual information
- Assisting with analysis of the data from a content analysis
- Assisting development of a paper on the results
Project 3
- Assisting in analyzing historic artifacts
- Handling historic artifacts
- Creating visual displays
- Collaborating with a team of faculty and students
Contact: 765-285-2293, 206 AT Building