Three Rutgers University students took their classroom insights to the national stage this month, presenting original research at the 2026 Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Conference. The team, comprised of a History and Political Science Junior Yara Badawi, Public Policy Junior Dina Abdelfattah, and Political Science Junior Katie Castles, debuted their project titled, "From Classroom to Courtroom: Judicial Institutions Through First-Year Eyes." The interdisciplinary study explored how first-year undergraduate students in introductory political science courses perceive and understand the American judicial system.
The project was developed under the mentorship of Professors Doug Cantor and Stacey Greene, with funding and support provided by the Rutgers Aresty Research Center and the Milt Heumann Excellence in Education Fund. For the student researchers, the experience of defending their work in a professional setting proved as valuable as the data collection itself. The team noted that the interactive nature of the poster sessions allowed them to observe new facets of their project in real-time.
"Being able to present my work and get thoughtful feedback helped me see new angles I hadn’t considered," said Yara Badawi (pictured far right). "It pushed me to refine both my arguments and the way I communicate them. It made the research process feel much more collaborative." The MPSA Conference is one of the largest in the field, drawing scholars from across the globe, providing the Rutgers team with a unique platform to contribute to the ongoing dialogue regarding civic education and judicial perception.