Geography and urban studies student Owen Barbagallo, Class of 2028, received a Creative Arts, Research and Scholarship (CARAS) grant to conduct archival research and curate historically compelling facts about New York City subway stations last summer. 

A silver Tiffany & Co. shovel dug into the dirt at the launch of New York’s Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall subway station, marking the debut of the city’s system. But the real digging didn’t begin there. Rather, it quietly started two days later at Bleecker Street.

This is just one of 186 facts about the New York City subway system uncovered by Owen Barbagallo, Class of 2028. It’s also one of the two facts that LinkNYC, New York City’s network of free public Wi-Fi, displayed on one of its kiosks in March. With more than 4,000 digital screens across all five boroughs, LinkNYC stands as one of the city’s largest and most accessible public communication platforms.

Thanks to Temple’s Creative Arts, Research and Scholarship (CARAS) grant, Barbagallo curated historically compelling facts about New York City subway stations last summer. Through archival research from sources such as the New York Public Library and the New York Times, he found information designed to make the everyday history of transit spaces more visible. He categorized the facts to appeal to various individuals—people who are using the subway for the first time, those who use the subway occasionally, people who always ride the subway and others who are passionate about transit like himself.

When Barbagallo learned about the CARAS grant, he recognized an opportunity to research a subject that deeply interested him. A New York City native, he has always been fascinated by the city’s subway and its history and believes it’s important to educate others about it.

“My hope is that people will be inspired to learn more and research the local history of New York City because it’s a historically rich place,” said Barbagallo, a geography and urban studies major. “I want them to become more engaged with the city and the subway because if you’re more engaged, you’re more willing to fight for its future.” 

As part of the CARAS program, administered by Undergraduate Education with funding provided by the Office of the Provost and the deans of Temple’s schools and colleges, undergraduate students lead scholarly, research or creative projects under the supervision of a full-time Temple faculty member. Barbagallo worked with Associate Professor of Geography, Environment and Urban Studies Jacob Shell, who regularly met with Barbagallo and made suggestions for the research.

Beyond the CARAS research project, Barbagallo wanted to present the facts he curated, so he contacted LinkNYC. According to Barbagallo, each of its kiosks’ street-level digital displays reach pedestrians directly where they walk, making it a natural fit for short subway facts designed to be read in passing. The placements generated more than 8,000 impressions during the week of March 5–11 and included QR codes directing viewers to the public educational website he created. 

“To see my work while passing on the street felt gratifying,” he said. “I’m happy to have had this opportunity to inform people and leave a little mark on the world.”

Barbagallo also feels grateful for the CARAS grant that allowed him to pursue this research and make a larger impact.

“It’s great that Temple offers this program because it’s important for us as undergraduates to explore our burning questions,” he said. “I encourage others to apply for grants and reach out to professors. There are more opportunities than you may think.”