Wayne State student creates publication centered on collaboration, curiosity and connection

At Wayne State University, third-year student Kavya Ramkumar envisioned a publication that would spark conversations extending beyond a single classroom or academic discipline.

That vision became reality with Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science, and Society, an interdisciplinary, student-led publication that brings together research and ideas from fields including technology, business, law topublic policy. Founded by Ramkumar, a student in the Irvin D. Reid Honors College, the journal provides undergraduate researchers with a platform to explore complex issues through multiple academic lenses while connecting their work to broader societal challenges.

As a double major in technology, information systems and analytics (TISA) and business administration in the Mike Ilitch School of Business, with a minor in law, Ramkumar said her academic experiences revealed how interconnected modern industries and real-world systems have become.

"What stands out to me is how often different disciplines connect in practice, especially in today's world," Ramkumar said. "I kept thinking about how many interesting conversations happen in different classrooms, but don'talways have a place where they come together. This is really about bringing those perspectives into one space."

That realization inspired her to build a platform where students could explore those intersections more intentionally.

Students contributing to the journal are encouraged to think critically about the broader implications of their work and how it exists within larger systems, from ethical considerations to public policy and societal impact.

"Everything can be tied back to the law," she said. "There are so many ways research connects to policy, intellectual property or social implications, even when it doesn't seem obvious at first."

The journal released its inaugural issue in December 2025, showcasing research from seven student authors representing disciplines across Wayne State, from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Designed for undergraduate students, researchers and scholars, the publication follows a biannual schedule, with one issue published after the fall semester and another after the winter semester.

Ramkumar said the journal reflects the reality that many of today's biggest challenges require collaboration across multiple fields.

"A lot of the problems we're trying to solve - whether it's tech ethics, business strategy or legal frameworks - are connected in practice," she said. "Understanding those connections can lead to stronger, more thoughtful solutions."

Developing the journal changed the way Ramkumar approaches her own education.

"It's made me more intentional about how I connect what I'm learning," she said. "Now I'm always thinking - how does this apply somewhere else? What does this connect to?"

Many students at Wayne State already explore ideas with an interdisciplinary mindset, even if there are not always formal spaces for those ideas to intersect. As the project continues to evolve, Ramkumar hopes Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science and Society  will become a lasting space for student research, collaboration and dialogue across campus.

"Some of the most impactful ideas happen when different perspectives come together," she said. "That's the kind of environment I hope this journal creates."

To learn more visit, Audi Alteram Partem: Journal of Law, Science, and Society.

By Darlene A. White