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Rory Gernert receives Master's Thesis Award

Rory Gernert and George Flowers
Rory Gernert receives the Master's Thesis Award from Graduate School Dean George Flowers

Rory Aurora Gernert, a recent graduate in the Sociology Master’s Program, won the 2021-2022 Auburn University Master’s Thesis Award. Her master’s thesis advisor was Dr. Natalia Ruiz-Junco, Director of the Undergraduate Sociology Program. The other members of her master’s thesis committee were Dr. Allen Furr and Dr. Matt Cousineau.

Her thesis, titled “People Choose Wi-Fi Over Your Existence: The Management of Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity,” was based on qualitative research, and explored the lived experiences of individuals who reported symptoms of electromagnetic sensitivity (EHS). According to Dr. Ruiz-Junco, Gernert's thesis was “the most original thesis I have ever read in all my years as part of the graduate faculty of two different higher education institutions (American University and Auburn University).”

Gernert says she is highly appreciative of her time in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, and she has recently been awarded a doctoral assistantship to complete a PhD degree in sociology.

Tags: Sociology

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