Carleton Scholar Wins Two Prestigious Research Opportunities
Ashton Macklin, a Posse Houston Scholar at Carleton College, spent his summer engaged in two prestigious fellowships that honed his research skills and broadened his understanding of cultural dynamics.
In June, Ashton participated in a Student Research Partnership with Professor Victoria Morse in Carleton’s History and Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MARS) department, focusing on medieval and Renaissance maps at Gould Library. His niche project centered on developing methodologies to analyze heraldic symbols on these maps and explore their political implications.
“The goal was to explore questions like, ‘When someone made this map and put this coat of arms on it, were they trying to forward a particular agenda of their patron?’” Ashton explains.
This experience not only enhanced his research skills but also set the stage for his first potential academic publication, with guidance from Carleton’s fellowship director, through the University of Minnesota Press.
Later in the summer, in July, Ashton joined the Larson International Fellowship, which took him to Berlin-Brandenburg to study urban agriculture and food autonomy.
“This fellowship focused on experiential learning—understanding the local culture through direct engagement,” he notes.
Ashton explored why Berliners source food locally, even when not directly involved in urban agriculture, with highlights including his enjoyment of pasture-raised eggs sourced within the city as a vivid example of Berlin’s vibrant consumption culture.
Berlin proved to be a culturally rich and enlightening environment for Ashton.
“The way the city is built made it easy to get around and participate. There was no place that felt inaccessible,” he says. Ashton was particularly struck by Berlin’s diversity, recalling, “There was something new every single day—I walked into a three-block-long crank organ festival. It was a lively city, and I heard eight to nine different languages spoken daily.”
Ashton also used his time in Berlin to explore future academic paths, visiting several universities to identify potential programs and opportunities for research.
Ashton is currently synthesizing his findings on Berlin’s urban agriculture into a publication, hoping to make it available in both English and German. Recently, he presented his work at Carleton’s annual research symposium, sharing his insights into Berlin’s unique cultural and political dynamics surrounding local food systems.
Throughout his journey, Ashton found invaluable support from his Posse cohort.
“Having my Posse mates to bounce ideas off has been incredibly helpful in shaping my project,” he remarks.
With a keen interest in sociology and a desire to continue funded research, Ashton Macklin is laying a strong foundation for his future academic pursuits.
