Sophia Persichini – an FSU alumna (B.S. Political Science & Studio Art ’25) – defended her Honors in the Major thesis, “A Legal Guide for Emerging Artists: Navigating Copyright, Contracts, and Artificial Intelligence.”
Persichini’s thesis examines how evolving laws and government policies surrounding AI affect artists’ rights. It aims to connect the arts and the legal system by providing accessible guidance on copyright, fair use, and protections for creative professionals. Persichini presented this thesis at the Florida State University Undergraduate Research Symposium and published it in the FSU Research Repository in March 2025.
“[It] is important for bridging the arts and law together and for creating legal advocacy for artists,” Persichini said. “This thesis contributes to discussions about how policy should adapt to new technology while providing an accessible and easily understandable resource for creative individuals.”
Aside from completing her thesis, Persichini pursued a range of roles that reflected her passion for law and the arts on FSU campus. She was the secretary of FLAME (Law in Fashion, Art, Media & Entertainment) at FSU, a student organization focused on laws related to creative fields. Persichini volunteered at the FSU Museum of Fine Arts and was a 3D student lead at the Art Society at FSU. She also contributed to psychological research as a research assistant in John K. Maner, Ph.D.’s lab from the Department of Psychology, honing her skills in academic research.
Off campus, Persichini deepens her industry knowledge through roles in music and entertainment. She was a college marketing representative for Arista Records and a legal assistant at Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster, Gwartney & Hobbs P.A., gaining real-world experience in legal support and advocacy for creatives. These diverse experiences continue to shape her path toward a career in art and music law.
Persichini is currently taking a gap year before going to law school in Fall 2026 and plans to strengthen her understanding of the industry through working in the music or entertainment industry. Ultimately, she hopes to serve as an entertainment lawyer specializing in copyright, intellectual property, and artist advocacy.
“My time at Florida State University has prepared me for the next steps in my career, as I work toward becoming a lawyer in the entertainment and art sectors,” Persichini said. “Through my dual major in Political Science and Studio Art Honors, I’ve developed a well-rounded skill set that blends legal knowledge with a deep understanding of the creative industries, which I plan to build upon in law school.”
To learn more about FSU’s Political Science program, visit cosspp.fsu.edu/polisci. For more information about FSU’s Studio Art program, click here. To access her HITM thesis, click here.