Porntip Twishime

Candidate statement

Colleagues, it is an honor for me to be nominated for the position of Student Representative. My name is Porntip Israsena Twishime and I am currently a second year PhD student in the Department of Communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My research focuses on Southeast Asian American experiences, stories, and rituals as counter-sites in both Asian America and the dominant U.S. culture that make visible modes of U.S. empire. In many ways, my work is made possible through and emerges from the intellectual and political histories of Asian American studies and ethnic studies more broadly. Serving as the Graduate Student Representative would enable me to continue this work at the organizational level and to support fellow students engaged in our field. As the Graduate Student Representative, I envision serving our student populations, first, by centering and showcasing student ideas, work, art, activism, and research, and second, by assessing and advocating for student concerns, issues, and needs. I believe that our undergraduate and graduate student members make significant contributions to AAAS which deserve continued support and recognition. It would be my pleasure to join the AAAS Board in serving our outstanding students and community.