Mathematics of Social Justice

Gauge Burnett ‘19 is graduating a semester early than he originally planned. With a degree in mathematics and political science along with a Hispanic studies minor, Gauge is going to join Americorps, where he will begin his journey bettering the world stationed in Iowa.

 

Entering Washington College, Abigail originally saw himself going into law and working as a public defender, but recently realized that the difference he wants to make in the world can be done through mathematics, which he calls a “hobby that consumes his life”.

“There are a thousand lawyers, but not a lot of mathematicians that care about social justice, even though there are some really fascinating programs. I feel like I can accomplish more good as a mathematician in social justice. There's a lot that can be done in terms of community development if you apply certain mathematical concepts.”

Abigail built a strong foundation for himself to pursue graduate school, where he hopes to study mathematics for social justice, using his political science thesis, “The Theory of Criminal Justice Reformatory in the United States”. 

“I came into Washington College my freshman year wanting to do poli sci as a career and math as a hobby; now math is a hobby that consumes my life and it's what I’m intending to go to grad school for—math for social justice. I’m taking a year off to work for Americorps and I’ll take it from there and see what makes sense after that.”

“I'm always interested in the way that the justice institutions in the United States can either help or hurt someone depending on their place in life. My thesis explores those structures, what they look like historically, the way that individuals are marginalized today, what reform measures are currently being explored, and how successful they've been.”

Gauge surrounds himself with strong role models who instilled in him the value of helping others.

“I grew up surrounded by a Rotary Club and and all the people who make it their mission to make the world a better place. I have always wanted to find a way to help people.”

Assistant Professor of Mathematics, Emerald Stacy has been a big influence on Gauge, along with the rest of the department of mathematics faculty, whom Gauge refers to as a “close-knit family”. 

“Professor Emerald Stacy began throwing literature at me, he started with feminist literature and then we moved how mathmatics can help people and in reading that literature I was finding the connections between I already knew what I've learned in classes; it really pushed the idea of math for social justice to the forefront for me.”