Augusta Scruggs
Fall 2023 SAFE Fund Recipient
Project: "How Cops Are Using TikTok as Image Management"
Augusta Scruggs, a junior sociology major from Oxford, MS, received a Fall 2023 Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) grant to present her poster at the Southern Sociological Society (SSS) Meeting in New Orleans, LA, from April 3-6, 2024.
Scruggs' research—advised by Department of Sociology assistant professor Dr. Robert Freeland—analyzes how law enforcement uses social media platforms for image management during times of public scrutiny and how this influences public perceptions. "Law enforcement and police officers have increasingly turned to social media platforms like TikTok for image management and community outreach during public criticism, specifically during the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, which sparked widespread protests and calls for police reform. During this time, the ACAB movement became increasingly popular, and cops took to TikTok to combat the negative image surrounding law enforcement," explained Scruggs. "The purpose of this study is to analyze law enforcement content on TikTok and how social media plays a vital yet uncharted role in shaping public opinion."
The SAFE funding covered the costs of traveling to New Orleans. In addition to the SAFE grant, Scruggs received grants from the Department of Sociology's Ann Louise Page Endowment for Excellence in Sociology and the Office of Student Research.
"Attending and presenting at the SSS conference was a fantastic experience for me. Not only did I learn more about other professors' and graduate students' research and academic endeavors, but I also received insight into feedback and comments on my research!" wrote Scruggs, who shared that she is interested in pursuing a career in research after graduation.
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About the SAFE Fund
Initially endowed by Hughlene and Bill Frank, the College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund provides resources that can be used to support undergraduate, graduate and faculty experiences. The SAFE Fund provides funding for college priorities and opportunities that arise throughout the year. These unrestricted funds support student and faculty travel, publication support for faculty and student research opportunities. Learn more at cas.appstate.edu/students/student-and-faculty-excellence-safe-fund.
About the Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts and seven Bachelor of Science concentrations (applied research methods; criminology; families and intimate relationships; health and aging; power and social change; social inequalities; and individually designed, which requires departmental approval). The department also offers minors in sociology and health and aging, plus two online graduate certificates: aging, health and society, and sociology. Learn more at soc.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs
November 6, 2024
BOONE, N.C.
Augusta Scruggs is a junior sociology major from Oxford, MS. Photo submitted
Augusta Scruggs is a junior sociology major from Oxford, MS. Photo submitted