Research Spotlight: Jaida Gouldbourne (College of Social Science)
About Jaida
Jaida is a first-generation college student at Michigan State University, pursuing a major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Peace and Justice Studies. Driven by a deep passion for helping others, Jaida is especially committed to addressing the injustices faced by the African American community within our society. Her academic journey at Michigan State has not only solidified her desire to make a positive impact but has also fueled her confidence and motivation to excel. With determination and a clear sense of purpose, Jaida is diligently working toward earning her bachelor's degree, determined to stand out and contribute meaningfully to the world around her.
Her research
Jaida has made significant contributions to the “Enslaved.org” project, which documents the lives of those involved in or victimized by the Atlantic trade in enslaved people. In her role, Jaida extracts data from primary source materials—focusing on enslaved individuals, slave owners, and historical figures involved in the slave trade—and enters it into machine-readable formats, helping to make this vital historical information accessible and searchable for future generations.
Her research on the Amity Hall plantation in Jamaica, focusing on the enslaved population of 1820, has been a major highlight of her academic career. This work, which combines archival research with cutting-edge digital tools, not only deepens our understanding of slavery’s impact but also contributes to humanizing the study of this dark chapter in history. Jaida's dedication to this work has earned her the prestigious Henderson Family Award for the Study of Slavery, a $2,000 scholarship from the Matrix Center for Digital Humanities & Social Sciences at MSU, further supporting her research efforts.
Jaida’s presentation of her research, "An Analysis of the Enslaved Population of Amity Hall Plantation, Jamaica in 1820," at the Michigan State University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF) garnered first-place honors in the History, Political Science, and Economics category, marking her as a standout scholar in her field. Her work, soon to be published in the Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation, exemplifies her academic rigor and commitment to preserving historical narratives that have long been overlooked.
As a student in the Social Science Scholars Program and an Honors College member, Jaida has demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance rigorous academic research with leadership and service, laying the groundwork for a future dedicated to both scholarly and social impact!
