The most likely answer to this question is maybe. While I am open to taking students, my approach is to make that decision based on applicants’ complete file so I can see where we might have synergy and if I believe I can be the best mentor to them through the dissertation and beyond. You should also know that great deliberation goes into putting together a cohort. Thus, even if I am excited about a particular applicant, there is still the possibility that other applicants might take priority based on a range of things (department needs, advising considerations across the department, creating the most intellectually diverse cohort as possible, etc.). I am sharing this as  a gentle affirmation that regardless of what the entire process turns out to be, there are so many factors that go into decisions, and many of them have nothing to do with your worthiness or capability as a candidate.

I am not interested in mentoring or creating a mini me. I am looking for students who ask thoughtful, creative questions about any number of things: food systems, Black geographies/ecologies, carcerality/plantation geographies, Black feminist ethnography, etc. I am also very open to mentoring students who are working on things that are not explicitly related to my own interests as long as there is some link that makes our pairing make sense and I feel confident that I can guide them in the ways they need. My dissertation advisor and I did not do the same kind of work, but she was a great mentor for me. My approach to choosing and mentoring students is in part influenced by her willingness, ability, and skill with working across our varied intellectual interests.

You are welcome to reach out, but these requests are hard to fulfill— in part because I need to prioritize the students I am teaching and mentoring on my campus. But, if you are interested in hearing more about my process, there are a number of recorded talks floating around the web. Start there. And if you do reach out and I do not respond or cannot accommodate your request, don’t take it personally. I, like many other Black women scholars, am trying to balance it all while keeping some parts of me for myself.

There are increasing numbers of requests for these types of interviews. While I am honored that you have chosen me, I can’t guarantee that I can meet your program’s requirement. In instances where the request is made with ample lead time and flexibility, I will try my best to schedule a 20-30min conversation with you, if what you are asking for is within the scope of what I can reasonably provide.

Maybe! If you are a student at the university where I work, please email with your request. I prioritize students I have taught or worked with before. 

I’m sorry that you are not getting your needs met within your department. I know that it is difficult to be in a program without good mentorship. To the extent that you can, I encourage you to strategize with someone you know and trust to either a) change advisors or b) consider a different program. If we do not have an already established relationship, I would not be comfortable being that person. That said, when time allows, I’m happy to take short meetings related to your work. This is especially true for minoritized and first generation college/PhD students. I’ve been there, and I’m especially sensitive to the hidden curriculum no one ever taught us. When requesting a meeting, please be clear about what you’re asking of and from me. I get a number of requests like this, and though I empathize, I can’t talk to everyone who wants to meet. In the meantime, here is a piece I wrote for Anthropology News. I hope it helps.

Thank you for considering me. Putting together the right committee is an important step in successfully navigating your program. If you are asking me to be on your committee, please send me a description of your project (helpful if it is a formal piece of writing), your CV/resume, and a tentative timeline to completion. When you are emailing, please also indicate the specific reasons why you’re asking me to join your committee (e.g. - am I the “food” person?  the “ethnography/methods” person?, etc.). That information helps me know where I can be especially helpful to you as you shape your project.