The driving force behind Sumru Atuk’s research is clear: “I am drawn to the topics that bother me the most,” says The Graduate Center political science doctoral candidate. Her topic is femicide, or the killing of women and girls because of their gender. Specifically, she is studying patterns of systematic violence against women in her home country, Turkey, and in Mexico.This spring, she won a $20,000 American Association of University Women fellowship to pursue her research. The grant will enable her to travel to Turkey to complete her dissertation research. “I am determined to devote all my time and energy to my work next year,” she says. “Receiving these grants, especially from prestigious institutions like AAUW, renews your belief in your work, gives you hope in this world full of uncertainties.” For more on the article, click here