If you’ve ever stared at a research assignment and thought, “Where do I even start?” you’re not alone. And chances are, a conversation with someone like Elli Ferren could make all the difference. 
 

Ferren is a Research Mavs Peer Tutor at UTA Libraries and a double major in Art History and Anthropology. Through the Research Mavs program, she works with fellow students who are trying to sort through sources, navigate databases, and make sense of projects that can initially feel overwhelming. It’s peer-to-peer help, grounded in real experience and that’s precisely why it works. 

 
Research Mavs brings together experienced students with those who need help navigating the research process. Peer tutors share research skills, offer guidance, and help create a supportive community within UTA Libraries and across campus. For many students, it’s reassuring to work with someone who has recently faced the same challenges. 

 
For Ferren, research didn’t always feel comfortable or intuitive. 

“I had just finished some really intense research classes,” she said. “Anthropology Methods and Art History Methods, huge projects, huge papers. It was hard. But once I learned how to do it, I realized I could help other people.” 

 
Ferren’s thought of, “ if I figured this out, maybe I can help someone else figure it out too,” is what led her to Research Mavs. 

 
Finding Her Way at UTA 

 
Ferren didn’t come to UTA with a clear, fixed plan. In high school, she thought about going into forensics, but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. Anthropology seemed like a more suitable direction, especially given her long-standing interest in museums and the past. 

Then came an art history class. 

 
“I took intro to art history as my fine arts credit and realized I really liked it,” Ferren said. “One class turned into two, then a minor and eventually a double major.” 

 
That combination of anthropology and art history now shapes how Elli thinks about research. Ferren studied cultures and art from around the world, encompassing Indigenous American and European history, as well as medieval China, Japan, Africa and Southeast Asia. She’s especially interested in how people are represented through art. 

 
“I’m kind of interested in all of it,” Ferren said. “And how art and people change over time.” 

 
Making Research Feel Manageable 

 
As a Research Mav, Ferren knows that research can feel intimidating, especially when you’re new to academic databases or coming back to school after time away. 

 
“The databases can be really overwhelming at first,” Ferren said. “They can feel archaic. But once you understand how they work, it gets easier.” 

What stands out most to her isn’t one specific interaction, but a familiar moment she sees again and again. 

 
“You can actually see it when it clicks,” Ferren said. “That wave of relief when someone realizes, ‘Oh, I can do this.’” 

 
That moment is especially meaningful when she works with older students or those who didn’t grow up using laptops and online tools. 

 
“I’m not even that tech-savvy myself,” Ferren added. “So being able to sit down with someone and walk through it step by step and seeing them relax that’s really rewarding.” 

A Natural Peer Tutor 

 
According to Collin Stephenson, Research Success Librarian, Ferren’s willingness to help stood out from the very beginning. 

 
“Even while she was still training, a student came in with a question she knew well,” Stephenson said. “She stepped up and said, ‘I think I can help with this.’ That really says a lot.” 

 
For Stephenson, Ferren represents exactly what Research Mavs is about. 

 
“Elli genuinely cares, not just about getting the student the right article, but about how they’re feeling,” Stephenson said. “Students leave the consultations feeling more confident and less stressed. They feel supported.” 

 
Supported by the Libraries, Too 

 
Ferren also credits UTA Libraries with helping her succeed as a student. With access to a wide range of databases, Ferren’s been able to research across disciplines that don’t always fit neatly into one subject area. 

 
“For art history and anthropology, it’s hard to stick to just one database,” Ferren said. “Having access to everything in one place really helps.” 

When she needs support, she knows where to find it, whether that’s co-workers, librarians or professors. That’s something she encourages other students to keep in mind. 
 
“Classes can get overwhelming,” Elli said. “But figuring out where to go for help makes a huge difference. Your professors want to help you more than you think. And places like Research Mavs and the Writing Center are here for you.” 

 
Ferren’s advice is simple: ask for help early, and don’t be afraid to reach out. 

 
“We can help you learn how to navigate databases, figure out which articles are actually useful, and just understand how to start,” Ferren said. “You don’t have to do it alone.” 

 
Looking Ahead 

 
Ferren will graduate in the spring, a milestone that comes with a mix of excitement and nerves. Her goal is to work in a museum, ideally in education or community outreach. After interning with the Dallas Museum of Art, she hopes to return and continue working at the intersection of art and people. 

 
That same focus is already clear in the work Ferren does at UTA Libraries. 

Student workers like Elli Ferren play an essential role in making the Libraries a welcoming place to learn, ask questions and grow. Whether you’re working on a significant research paper, a group project or a personal interest, Research Mavs are here to help. 

 
To learn more about Research Mavs or to schedule a consultation, visit 

https://libraries.uta.edu/research/researchmavs 

 
Stop by UTA Libraries, start a conversation, and meet the students who are ready to help you move forward, one question at a time.