Artwork by Samantha Jenae Jones
intro
In a recent interview with the Humanities Research Institute (HRI), Samantha Jenae Jones, a graduate student in Design for Responsible Innovation, shared how her studio practice involves self-exploration and reclaiming a childhood marked by contradictions, aiming to define her identity and intellectual framework. Jones is part of the 2024–25 “Collisions Across Color Lines” Interseminars project funded by the Mellon Foundation and facilitated by HRI at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In her interview she discusses how her work addresses the complexities faced by women of color in America, engaging with identity politics.
The Interseminars initiative has enhanced Jones’ professionalism and emphasized the importance of solidarity, fostering a non-hierarchical, democratic environment. She values interdisciplinary collaboration, believing that engaging with peers across various fields enriches the academic experience and opens avenues for new challenges and possibilities.
Artwork by Samantha Jenae Jones