From Alabama to Boston; Meet Dr. Shinae Choi, CISS Visiting Scholar
Dr. Shinae L. Choi is an Associate Professor at The University of Alabama. Professor Choi’s research interests center on economic insecurity, financial counseling, the cultural dynamics of financial and healthcare decision-making of families and consumers, psychological and financial well-being, and public policy evaluation. For more information on Dr. Choi’s research and publication, see her website here, and find a Q&A interview with CISS communications intern Lily Belisle below.
What made you decide to be a social scientist/ why does social science matter to you?
Everyone has a unique story to tell, and social science creates a space for these stories to be shared. Through analyzing comprehensive and large-scale data from surveys, we can investigate and reveal peoples’ life stories and decision-making processes. Social science research, specifically research that is interdisciplinary, is imperative in order to improve our communities’ quality of life. The social sciences are in place to serve the people—us.
Can you tell us about a current research project that you’re excited about?
Through the BU Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS), I am currently working with Dr. Deborah Carr, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center, regarding (a) older adults’ telehealth uptake and (b) relationship trajectories and mental health, particularly focusing on childless widow(er)s. I also recently started a new project on (c) moral framing and health insurance enrollment with Dr. Christopher Robertson, Professor in the BU School of Law. Further, I am working on grant proposals regarding health disparities in access to and quality of health care services among Asian Americans.
What has led you to the intersection of disciplines within which your expertise lies?
My primary field, Consumer Sciences, is all about people, particularly consumers and families, and how they are interconnected in so many ways. Understanding how consumers and households make decisions is the first and most important step in making policies to improve the quality of life of people. This aspect helps me connect with various researchers across multiple disciplines. Sharing in conversation with researchers across disciplines always brings new projects. We talk, learn, laugh, and naturally move toward new research projects. In the real world, we meet “consumers” in various settings. For example: patients in health care services, customers in retail and hospitality services, passengers in transportation services, or clients in professional services such as financial, legal, and consulting services.
How does your research benefit from an interdisciplinary approach?
I always experience “aha” moments when I sit down and talk about familiar or unfamiliar topics alike with researchers who are outside of my field. Although we may be looking at the same subject/topic, we often witness that our interpretation, approaches, and applications are quite different from one another. Using different lenses provides unique insight; this is the fun part. I am currently working with collaborators across multiple disciplines: medical sciences, public health, law, public policy, psychology, sociology, social work, communication, economics, and so on. Indeed, my research agenda has been widened, refined, and strengthened through interdisciplinary collaborations over the past years.
What do you hope to accomplish during your time at BU?
I have already fallen in love in Boston. Diverse members of BU faculty, staff, and students on campus are like a breath of fresh air. I experience diverse cultural dynamics every day by simply taking a walk on campus. It is so beautiful. During my time at BU, I am hoping to meet with more people and learn more about their research and teaching in hopes of building new collaborations. CISS, for example, has already been a wonderful place for me to meet with amazing BU community members and establish cross-campus collaborations. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to connecting with more researchers and students at BU in the coming months.