Communication Student Awarded Top Paper by Undergraduate Research Conference

Communication Student Awarded Top Paper by Undergraduate Research Conference

While the idea of research may conjure images of white lab coats and crunching numbers, Taylor Kiffel approaches the discipline with her own distinct viewpoint.

A junior studying communication with a concentration in interpersonal communication, Kiffel is contributing to a gap in research that she not only finds important but also feels personally connected.

"I assumed all research was number-driven and that I wouldn't be able to feel passionate and expressive while doing it, but wow, was I wrong," she said. "Through my journey at UToledo, I have found that there are so many different ways research can be done, and that it can truly be a fun and fulfilling experience."

Kiffel's research focuses on how mother-daughter relationships are portrayed in media, specifically how reality TV constructs narratives that shape cultural assumptions and expectations of what these relationships should look like.

"I grew up working class and watching shows like 'Dance Moms' and 'Toddlers and Tiaras' with my mom, and I have always been aware of how media portrays certain types of families in dramatized and stereotypical ways," she said.

What began as a research proposal for Dr. Tasha Dunn's fall 2025 course in advanced interpersonal communication, quickly evolved into a full-length independent study project. With support from Dunn, an associate professor in the Department of Communication and Media at UToledo, Kiffel pursued and received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for her research. Through focus groups, Kiffel was challenged to explore how others interpreted media portrayals of mother-daughter relationships and connected them to their own lives.

Additionally, she was introduced to critical autoethnography, a method of exploration for her own interpretations and experiences.

Kiffel said the independent study with Dunn pushed her and helped her grow.

"She made sure I had the tools I needed to succeed and was always there to answer my questions," Kiffel said. "But something I especially appreciated was that she made sure I was taking the lead. The balance between mentorship and autonomy that we had certainly helped me gain more confidence in myself as an emerging scholar."

Kiffel is a first-generation college student who transferred to UToledo after taking some time away from her studies. Dr. Dunn said the independent study with Kiffel represented a full-circle moment, as it allowed the UToledo faculty member to give back in the same way that former professors had once supported her own journey as a first-generation undergraduate student.

"I provided guidance along the way but tried my best to encourage Taylor and cultivate her scholarly independence," Dunn said. "Taylor rose to the challenge in every phase of the project, demonstrating maturity, intellectual curiosity and a genuine commitment to doing the work well."

Kiffel's paper, "Staged 'Intimacy': Negotiating Representations of Mother-Daughter Relationships on Reality Television," was accepted to the Central States Communication Association President's Undergraduate Honors Research Conference, where she was awarded Top Paper, as well.

"It was a validating moment to know that my research was not only valid enough to present in a conference setting, but that it was deemed to be the best submission out of over 50 undergraduate projects from around the country," she said.

Ahead of the conference, which takes place Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, in Minneapolis, Kiffel presented her paper at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Exhibition in February at Carlson Library, where she was recognized as a finalist for the Dorothy Price Award. The event is designed to showcase the work of undergraduate students at UToledo.

"These opportunities give students who are interested in pursuing graduate school a big head start in terms of preparing them for advanced coursework," Dunn said. "Equally important, undergraduate research experience can increase students' competitiveness for graduate funding and assistantships - an especially meaningful benefit for first-generation students and those from lower-income backgrounds."

Kiffel said she fell in love with research so much that she now hopes to continue her education after earning her bachelor's degree, a testament to the impact these opportunities deliver.

"To have my first-ever conference submission recognized as Top Paper is something I surely will never forget," she said. "I am truly so grateful and excited to present something that I care so much about."