This story originally appeared on research.berkeley.edu on November 6, 2024.
Amber Griffin-Royal (she/her) | Haas Scholars Program | Summer '25
Amber is a Haas Scholar currently majoring in African-American studies and minoring in Journalism. During her time in the Haas Scholars program, she researched Oakland’s Black Soundscape, including the everyday sounds heard in Oakland neighborhoods, community events, and her own sonic memories growing up in Oakland. After graduating, Amber plans to take a gap year to rest from academia before applying to graduate school. During her break, she will focus on creating cultural productions that merge her professional skills as an award-winning DJ with her lived experience in Oakland and her love for storytelling through film.
How has your research topic/question evolved since proposing your project?
My research topic has evolved from strictly focusing on how Oakland’s Black Soundscape is produced through radio to now examining a fuller representation of Oakland’s Black Soundscape, including everyday sounds heard in Oakland neighborhoods, community events, and my own sonic memories. Once I began to conduct participant observation at radio stations, I realized that the scope of my research was too narrow. I needed to expand to truly understand how Oakland’s Black Soundscape was created, by whom, how it has changed over time, and what factors have contributed to its change. Initially, I was terrified by the realization that my project’s topic and research questions needed to be adapted. However, I learned that it is actually typical for researchers to make pivots and even go back to the drawing board while conducting research, which really helped me to remain calm and get back in the field in a slightly new direction with confidence.
What have you enjoyed most about participating in the Haas Scholars Program? How has the program supported your development as a scholar?
I’m in such awe of my cohort peers and have enjoyed getting to know them and learning about their projects the most. Everyone is absolutely brilliant, passionate, and so down to earth. Being in my cohort as a re-entry transfer student with learning differences has made me feel safe, seen, and heard, reassuring me of my abilities as a scholar who can do rigorous research and take on bold challenges in their work. I feel fortunate to share intellectual space with such amazing scholars who inspire and push me to grow.
What advice would you give to prospective applicants?
APPLY! Haas Scholars is an excellent program if you have a research project in mind that you want to pursue and wish to gain valuable experience conducting independent research that is funded. If you are interested in this program, consider who you’d like to be your faculty advisor on the project, ask if they are interested, and reach out to faculty members you want to write you a letter of recommendation for early on. Lastly, prepare to dedicate at least 10 hours a week to your project when you’re selected. This program is rewarding and a lot of work! And I’m happy to be a resource for anybody interested in learning more about the program from a participant perspective.
To learn more about the Haas Scholars Program, come attend the online info sessions:
- Thurs 11/14 | 11AM-12PM
- Tues 11/19 | 12-1PM
- Thurs 11/21 | 2-3PM