About Us
The Searcher is an undergraduate humanities research journal at the University of Texas at Austin, sponsored by the Department of English.
We aim to provide an outlet and resource for undergraduate students interested in the humanities to publish scholarly work and familiarize themselves with the peer-review journal process. By offering a broad platform for multiple disciplines, we hope to highlight how meaningful themes emerge and span across the humanities. Considering the lack of opportunities for publishing works examining English literature, we particularly encourage submissions of literary research.
Students have the opportunity to submit work under 2,500 words to the e-journal or work over 2,500 words to the print journal. Submission is free. Journals are accessible through the website and print journals are free for contributors. We believe in making research an accessible space for everyone, especially for our readers.
Contact us at thesearcherjournal@gmail.com.
The Board
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bassam Sidiki
Minza Mirza, Co-Founder & Former Editor-In-Chief
Minza Mirza graduated in 2025 with her BA in English and minors in Journalism/Media and History. She co-founded The Searcher in 2024 and resides in Washington, DC.
Photographed by Chomtale Chitsakul
Devin Nguyen, Editor-in-Chief
Devin Nguyen is a fourth-year English and Rhetoric Major with a dual minor in Italian Studies and Women and Gender Studies. In his research of romantic era poetics, he’s interested in how poets of the time made even the glum and dreary into resounding poetry. In his free time he loves to try cooking new recipes and reading a variety of food diaries.
Irene Sibi, Co-Founder & Co-Creative Director
Irene Sibi is a fourth-year Informatics major concentrating in User Experience Design/Social Justice Informatics. She seeks to bring untapped potential to light through design, art, and research. She enjoys walks, dinners, and doodling.
Photographed by Chomtale Chitsakul
Layla, Pholsiri, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Layla Pholsiri graduated in 2026 with her BA in English major with a minor in Communication Studies.
Photographed by Chomtale Chitsakul
Founders
Farah Breacher, Managing Editor
Farah Breacher is a third-year English major with a Business Foundations minor student. She was born in Houston, but Saudi Arabia is her home. When she’s not studying at the Union or Battle Hall, you can find her reading about Islamic Spain, attempting to learn a new language, or writing on Substack.
Photographed by Jamila Khan
Peer Reviewers
Janie Bickerton is a fourth-year English and Classical Languages major with a minor in Media and Entertainment Industries. While she loves to read anything and everything (except fantasy novels), her primary interest is the crossroads between music and poetry. You can often find her translating Latin, updating her Letterboxd, or listening to new music releases.
Bindi Kaplan is a fourth-year Sociology major with certificates in Creative Writing and Children & Society. She is interested in child development, the arts, and literacy. In her spare time, she likes reading queer fiction and making art.
Joy Wang is a fourth-year English and Sociology major with a minor in Fiction Writing. As a writer and editor, she focuses primarily on post-colonial and Marxist theory. In her free time, she adores reading weird fiction, thrifting, and exploring local restaurants.
Gretel Gutierrez Hidalgo is a second-year triple-major in Plan II, Philosophy, and English with a certificate in Creative Writing. She’s writing her thesis on “authenticity,” a topic she will not stop talking about. In her free time, she writes crappy essays about her love life—among other things, of course.
Mia Dumadag is a third-year English major with a minor in History. They love to read any and all kinds of literature, and aims to publish a novel one day.
Sena Oguzman is a third-year Rhetoric and Writing major with a double minor in Philosophy and Law, Justice, and Society. Outside of UT, she loves finding on long drives, and spending all day at Half Price Books.
Stella Davison is a second-year English and Rhetoric Major with a minor in Spanish. She is obsessed with coffee and owns two coffee machines. She is always in the market for more!
Savannah Bowers is a third-year English and Spanish major who owns a multitude of plants and watches them grow each day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her sister and 13 year old dog, Oreo!
Bergendy Hooper is a third-year Studio Art major, with most interest in print, drawing, and sculpture. She’s interested in visually communicating stories through as many different medias as possible. You’ll often find her at a random cafe or vintage shop around the city.
Join Our Team!
If you’re passionate about the humanities and interested in being involved in the process of academic publishing, apply to join our team! We’re currently looking for peer reviewers and creative team members/Creative Director.
EXTENDED Deadline: September 30
Deadline: September 25