Digital Commons Network^™

As Above, So Below: Environmental Justice Stories Of Seeds, Mining And Migration, Cassidy M. Motahari

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Environmental justice issues directly impact the health, cultural heritage and livelihoods of communities. This multimedia master’s project examines how federal policies, legal frameworks and the prioritization of corporate interests perpetuate environmental justice issues in the western United States. Three distinct stories provide a more nuanced understanding of the impact of systemic inequities on seed saving, mineral extraction and humanitarian aid on public lands.

With four companies controlling over 60 percent of the global seed market, declining genetic diversity in seeds limits the potential to cultivate and develop crops that meet the regional and cultural needs of diverse growers. In a …

Visual Semiotics In Parks: Assessing Pictorial Symbol Effectiveness In Outdoor Recreation Settings, Miranda Jane Foster

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As interest in outdoor recreation grows, so does the need for effective communication in parks and protected areas. With a larger, more diverse visiting population, managers face new challenges, including intensified recreational use, staffing demands, and barriers to communication presented by cultural and linguistic diversity (Manning et al., 2017; Perry et al., 2021). Effective, indirect communication tools, such as pictorial symbol signage, are essential for addressing these challenges. Pictorial symbol signs are widely used in recreational signage and serve as vital indirect management strategies for communicating to diverse visitors as a universal visual language (Davies et al., 1998). However, research …

Organization Communication Policy To Emphasize Student Employee Productivity, Yohan Fernando

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study explored student perceptions of organizational communication policies and their impact on student employee productivity at a mid-sized Midwestern university. In-depth interviews with student employees revealed key themes—fairness, uniformity, openness, and communication—as essential elements of transparency. Additionally, academic work-life balance and scheduling flexibility emerged as critical factors in supporting productivity. The findings show that student employees view transparency and flexibility as central to both job satisfaction and productivity. Policies that promote equitable treatment and adaptable scheduling were especially influential. While organizational vision, mission, and values were recognized, they were not seen as major drivers of productivity. Similarly, rewards and …

Exploring The Connections Between Social Media Posts About Intimate Partner Violence And Their Influence On Women’S Physical And Mental Health, Joanna Lynn

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can happen to anyone and is considered a common occurrence in the United States (U.S. Department of Justice, 2025). Social media platforms have allowed individuals to post about their IPV experiences, but such posts can be met with negative comments that are not beneficial to the survivor. This study explores how social media posts regarding IPV affect an individuals’ mental and physical health through a quasi-experimental design. Three out of the four groups of participants were exposed to a mock Instagram post that included the same caption and photo for a supportive, unsupportive, and neutral condition. …

Exploring The Shadows: How Taylor Swift's Music Embodies Dark Sound As A Popular Music Artist, Kristyn E. Cole

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

To challenge the conceptual matter of “dark sound”, this major research paper centers around the popular music artist, Taylor Swift to demonstrate an overarching feminist wisdom in an alternative style of music to identify how Taylor Swift presents and embodies qualities of “dark sound”. Research done by D. Ferrett, Theodor Adorno, Roland Barthes and Paul C. Jasen are used to examine her popular music, and its intersections and influence on our culture and society. Using multimodal critical discourse analysis, this research paper discusses three of Swift’s songs; “willow” (evermore, 2020) for her sound, All Too Well: The Short …

Political Communication In A Multicultural Metropolis: Chinese Ethnic Media And The 2023 Toronto Mayoral By-Election, Dongwei Lin

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Chinese are the second largest visible minority group in Canada and the most frequently reported ethnic or cultural origin in Toronto. Mandarin and Cantonese are, respectively, the largest and third largest non-official languages in Toronto. However, little research exists on the role of the Chinese ethnic community in Toronto municipal politics, especially the role of Chinese ethnic media in Toronto municipal elections.

The key argument of this thesis is that “Chinese ethnic media represent complementary public sphere(s) for informing and engaging Chinese Canadians in local political participation and discussion.” Through the 2023 Toronto Mayoral By-Election case study, this thesis examines …

Co-Creation, Interpretations And Engagement With A Movement-Based Symbol For Climate Justice: A Qualitative Inquiry, Kai Reimer-Watts

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The climate crisis demonstrates with complete clarity the need for massive systems-level changes towards far more sustainable societies. Global and local emissions need to decline rapidly to mitigate intensifying climate breakdown, accompanied by climate and sustainability solutions, to secure a far more stable, safe, and just future for all people and all life. Within these changes, engaging in our communities is essential to support and co-create broader solutions to help advance more sustainable societies, reduce negative impacts of a changing climate, and to move towards cultures and systems that recognize natural limits and centre care for people and planet.

‘Climate …

Creativity, Fame And Power: A Critical Political Economy Of Social Media Comedy Skit In Nigeria, Idowu Badmus

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This study explores social media comedy skits in Nigeria as a novel type of creativity that is both an economic and cultural activity with political and social implications within the context of the rapidly expanding global ecosystem of online content creation. Academic interest in social media comedy skits has grown as a result of their emergence as a popular culture within Nigeria's entertainment landscape. However, most research has focused on understanding this form of humour through its positive societal correlates. Hence, within the notion of industrialization of culture, which suggests that various methods of financing and arranging communication resources have …

To Encounter The Other? How Journalists Make Catholic Faith-Based Organizations In Mexico And Russia (In)Visible, Xochiquetzal Luna Morales

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Catholic Faith-Based Organizations (CFBOs) in Mexico and Russia are unique entities of study and comparison to understand the power dynamics between majority/minority institutional religions and their media representation. Although both countries recognize their religious diversity, Catholicism is still the major religion in Mexico, not only because of its large number of adherents but also its significant cultural and political capital. In contrast, in Russia, Catholicism is considered a minority religion and is often viewed as foreign to Russian values and traditions. These conditions influence how CFBOs have been featured in the news media in both countries. However, no single factors …

Tackling Paradoxes And Double Binds For A Healthier Workplace: Insights From The Early Covid-19 Responses In Quebec And Ontario, Daniel Côté, Amelia León, Ai-Thuy Huynh, Jessica Dubé, Ellen Maceachen, Pamela Hopwood, Marie Laberge, Samantha Meyer, Meghan K. Crouch, Joyceline Amoako

Études primaires

The urgency of managing the COVID-19 health crisis in workplaces led to tensions, work overload, and confusion about preventive measures. This study presents a secondary analysis of qualitative data on paradoxes and double binds (PDBs) experienced by precarious essential workers in Canada who interacted with the public and their supervisors. Based on 13 interviews from a larger qualitative dataset, we examine how workers navigated public health recommendations and organisational demands during the pandemic. Findings reveal multiple organisational and managerial PDBs—both COVID-19-related and pre-existing—that contributed to psychological distress and compromised well-being. We argue that PDBs represent a significant occupational health hazard …

Utilizing The Spatial Evaluation Of Language And Flexibility For Youth (Self-Y) In Clinical Case Conceptualization, Katelyn Frahm

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience challenges with restricted and repetitive behaviors, relating directly to challenges with psychological flexibility (Hyman et al., 2020; Hayes et al., 2006). Unfortunately, the history of applied behavior analysis has extended harmful implications of treatment that have focused on compliance training and punishment, often worsening psychological flexibility (Sandoval-Norton et al., 2019). Research is calling behavior analysis to combine flexible approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, with technologies exploring the intricacies of individual relational networks (Hayes et al., 1999; Hayes et al., 2022; Hayes & King, 2024). The present study introduced the …

Preventing Chemical And Biological Attacks: Enhanced Threats Requiring Enhanced Solutions, Alex Elliot Ottoni-Belval

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Chemical weapons (CW) and biological weapons (BW) are becoming more dangerous for experts to employ and more accessible to amateurs. Despite CW and BW attacks throughout history that killed and maimed millions of people, the international community has failed to establish meaningful consequences to prevent them. Agreements such as the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Biological Weapons Convention vow to eliminate and reduce the effects of CWs and BWs but lack respected response precedents and capabilities. The limited and inconsistent enforcement has inadvertently allowed CWs and BWs to become plausible weapons, especially to gain asymmetric advantages, while modern developments exasperate …

Passengers’ Perceptions, Attitudes, And Willingness To Fly With Southeast Asian Low-Cost Carriers During Routine Disruption Communication, Aqilah Filzah Binti Ahmad Ridwan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objective of this research was to examine how passengers perceive crisis communication during routine operational disruptions (RODs) within Southeast Asian low-cost carriers (LCCs), and to determine whether perceived communication quality predicts passenger attitudes and willingness to fly. This study also aimed to assess the relationship between passengers’ attitudes toward airlines’ disruption management and their subsequent willingness to fly after experiencing RODs. A total of 201 respondents who had previously flown with LCCs completed an online self-administered questionnaire. Simple linear regression analyses revealed that perceived crisis communication had a significant positive effect on passengers’ attitudes toward disruption management. Attitude, in …

The Role Of Food Influencers On Consumer Attitudes And Purchase Intention Towards Local Food And Beverage Brands In Myanmar Amid Foreign Product Scarcity, Ei Phyu Phyu Khaing

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This qualitative study examines the role of food influencers in shaping consumer attitudes and purchase intentions toward local food and beverage (F&B) brands in Myanmar during a period of foreign product scarcity. Framed by influencer marketing strategy, framing theory, and the source credibility model, the research explores how influencers navigate authenticity, credibility, and identity while promoting domestic brands amid the “empty void” left by the scarcity of foreign products. Using purposive sampling, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five Myanmar-based food influencers active on Facebook and Tik Tok. Thematic analysis revealed that influencers strategically construct authenticity through personal brand alignment, …

The Influence Of Seventeen As A Celebrity Endorser On Brand Attitude And Purchase Intention Toward Indomilk Products In Indonesia, Francesca Diva Rachmaputri

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aims to examine the influence of the K-pop group SEVENTEEN as celebrity endorsers on consumers’ brand attitudes and purchase intentions toward Indomilk among Indonesian consumers. A quantitative survey was conducted with 266 respondents who were familiar with both SEVENTEEN and the campaign. The results indicate that the credibility of SEVENTEEN significantly affects consumers’ brand attitudes, with trustworthiness and attractiveness being the most influential dimensions. Moreover, consumers’ brand attitudes significantly impact their purchase intentions. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using K-pop artists to influence consumer behavior and highlight the importance of selecting highly credible endorsers to enhance the …

The Influence Of Butterbear Mascot Attractiveness On Brand Attitude, Huyen Phuong Do

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research examines the influence of mascot’s perceived attractiveness on the brand attitude towards Butterbear. Data were collected via online survey from 220 male and female respondents (aged 18-26) residing in Bangkok, who had been exposed to content from Butterbear brand within the past three months. Overall, participants perceived Butterbear mascot as highly attractive (M = 4.39) and reported positive attitudes towards the Butterbear brand (M = 4.30). Furthermore, the findings revealed that all six dimensions underlying mascot attractiveness (Brand Impact, Brand Expertise, Mascot Uniqueness, Mascot Anthropomorphism, Mascot Intimacy, and Mascot Consistency) showed statistically significant correlations with the brand attitude. …

The Image Of Transnational Universities In Vietnam And The Enrollment Decision Of Prospective Students, Khanh Huyen Pham

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines how Vietnamese applicants perceive the image of transnational universities (TNE) and how these perceptions influence their college choice decisions. Focusing on RMIT Vietnam, BUV, and Swinburne Vietnam, the research explores university image through functional cues, personality cues, and perceived value, and analyzes decision-making across predisposition, search, and choice stages. Twelve applicants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Findings show that applicants build university image gradually as they compare curriculum, teaching quality, facilities, and accreditation with emotional cues such as friendliness, professionalism, and campus “vibes.” Perceived value (degree recognition, employability, and alumni …

Social Media Use And Personal Branding Identity Of Myanmar Freelancers, Lin Htet Thway

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examined social media use, self-expression, professionalism, self-efficacy, self-disclosure, and personal branding identity among Myanmar freelancers, and investigated how these factors influence their personal branding identity on social media. An online survey of 200 freelancers aged 18 to 45 years was conducted. Respondents reported high levels of social media use (M = 4.07), self-expression (M = 4.13), professionalism (M = 4.16), self-efficacy (M = 4.17), personal branding identity (M = 4.30), and a moderately high level of self-disclosure (M = 3.95). Regression results showed that the five variables together explained 24.4 percent of the variance in personal branding identity …

The Influence Of Short-Video Content Marketing On Chinese Consumers' Perceived Value And Usage Intention On Duolingo Brand, Meitong Li

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objective of this research was to examine how short-video content marketing on Douyin platform influences Chinese Generation Z consumers’ perceived value of Duolingo and their intention to continue using the application. A total of 252 respondents aged between 18 and 29 years old, who had used Douyin in the past three months and viewed Duolingo’s short-video content at least three times in the last month, completed an online questionnaire survey. The study reveals that all three dimensions of short-video content marketing (i.e. entertaining content, functional content, and social-interactive content) significantly influenced consumers’ perceived value, with social-interactive content demonstrating the …

The Influence Of Social Media Advertising Features On Brand Engagement And Purchase Intention Towards Local Cosmetic Brands In Vietnam, Ngoc Khanh Linh Tran

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates the effects of social media advertising features on brand engagement and purchase intention for local cosmetic products among Vietnamese Gen Z consumers. Data were collected through an online survey from 211 Vietnamese respondents aged 18–28 who follow and have been exposed to local cosmetic brand advertising on social media. The results indicate that social media advertising features significantly influence brand engagement, with informativeness being the most influential factor, and brand engagement positively affects purchase intention. These findings highlight the importance of well-designed social media advertising features in enhancing brand engagement and increasing purchase intention within Vietnam’s cosmetic …

Vietnamese Gen Z'S Perception Of National Brand Identity Through Cộng Cà Phê Packaging Design, Ngoc Thao Chi Nguyen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examined how Vietnamese Gen Z perceive national brand identity expressed through Cộng Cà Phê's packaging design. Through online questionnaires, 247 Gen Z respondents aged 18-27 evaluated the packaging design across four dimensions: cognition, emotion, language, and action. Results showed strong recognition of cultural design elements, particularly the color palette and retro typography that reference Vietnam's subsidy era. Emotionally, the packaging evoked national pride in Vietnamese identity among respondents. Linguistically, participants rated the design as highly authentic in conveying national character. Behaviorally, many respondents indicated they would choose Cộng Cà Phê to introduce Vietnamese coffee culture to international friends. …

The Perceived Brand Identity, Value, And Expectations Of Philippine Tourism Among Filipino And International Travelers, Ram Cartney Del Rosario Cortez

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examines the perceived brand identity, perceived value, and overall expectations of Philippines tourism among two key segments—domestic (Filipino) and international (non-Filipino) travelers. The research employed a total of twenty (20) in-depth interviews with 10 participants each for the two segments, and data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Customer-Based Brand Equity Model, Price-Perceived Quality-Value Framework, and Model of Destination Image Formation were the focused theories employed. Findings show a shared core image of the Philippines as a nature-led tropical destination anchored in warm Filipino hospitality for both groups. However, these positive associations are met with conditional expectations—domestic travelers heavily …

The Influence Of Consumption Values On Purchase Intention For Sustainable Fashion Products, Ruochen Liao

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study investigates five consumption values, namely functional, social, emotional, epistemic, and ethical value, along with attitude toward buying sustainable fashion products, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and purchase intention. It further examines how consumption values shape attitude toward buying sustainable fashion products, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, and how these three constructs subsequently influence purchase intention. Data were collected via online survey from 269 Chinese respondents aged between 18 to 44 years old who had purchased at least one sustainable fashion product within the last six months. Overall, respondents showed positive evaluations of sustainable fashion, reporting high consumption …

Social Media Acceptance Among Myanmar Migrants In Thailand, Thet Myat Noe Thu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The objectives of this research are to examine the acceptance of social media, Facebook in particular, among Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand by applying the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Specifically, the study investigates five key variables, namely perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PE), attitude toward usage (ATU), trustworthiness (TW), and intention to continue using (INT), and their interrelationships. Data were collected through a self-administered online and personal survey from 236 Myanmar migrants aged between 20 to 45 years old, who have been residing in Thailand for at least one year and actively using Facebook for a minimum of …

Chinese Audiences' Perceptions And Responses To Crisis Communication In Thai Romantic Drama Series, Xiaoyun Ying

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The study was to explore Chinese audiences’ perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward crisis response strategies in Thai Boys’ Love (BL) romantic drama series. A quantitative approach was employed using an online survey with 200 respondents who are Chinese, living outside mainland China, aged 18-45, and have watched Thai BL series at least once in the last three months. The results indicated that the overall level of respondents’ perceptions is moderate (M = 4.23) toward crisis response strategies. Additionally, the level of respondents’ perceptions is moderate to high to trust the organization and view the information as credible and transparent …

บทบาทของการสื่อสารในการเผยแพร่ซีรีส์วายในฐานะซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ผ่านข่าวออนไลน์และการสนทนาออนไลน์, ชนนิกานต์ พันธกานกุล

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาบทบาทของการสื่อสารในการเผยแพร่ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับซีรีส์วายในฐานะซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ ผ่านข่าวสารออนไลน์และการสนทนาออนไลน์ของกลุ่มแฟน งานวิจัยใช้วิธีวิจัยแบบผสมผสาน (Mixed Method) ตามรูปแบบ Convergent Design โดยเก็บข้อมูลข่าวจำนวน 966 บทความจาก 15 แพลตฟอร์มข่าวออนไลน์ ระหว่างปี พ.ศ. 2563 ถึงเดือนกันยายน พ.ศ. 2568 และเก็บข้อมูลจาก Pantip, Reddit, X และ Facebook พร้อมใช้วิธีการทางวิทยาการคอมพิวเตอร์เชิงสังคมศาสตร์ในการวิเคราะห์ผล ผลการวิจัยพบว่าแพลตฟอร์มข่าวออนไลน์มักนำเสนอซีรีส์วายไทยในรูปแบบข่าวทั่วไปและข่าวประชาสัมพันธ์อย่างต่อเนื่อง อย่างไรก็ตาม สัดส่วนของข่าวที่เชื่อมโยงซีรีส์วายกับเศรษฐกิจสร้างสรรค์ ซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ และภาพลักษณ์ประเทศมีแนวโน้มเพิ่มขึ้น ซึ่งสะท้อนบทบาทของสื่อกระแสหลักในการขับเคลื่อนซอฟต์พาวเวอร์แบบบนลงล่าง (Top-down) ในขณะเดียวกัน กลุ่มแฟนคลับมีบทบาทสำคัญในการขับเคลื่อนซอฟต์พาวเวอร์แบบล่างขึ้นบน (Bottom-up) ผ่านการพูดคุยเกี่ยวกับนักแสดง บทวิจารณ์ โปรเจกต์ของแฟน ๆ การท่องเที่ยวตามรอย รวมถึงการแปลและอธิบายวัฒนธรรมไทยเป็นภาษาต่าง ๆ ทำให้แฟนคลับทำหน้าที่เป็นทั้งผู้บริโภค ผู้สนับสนุนเศรษฐกิจ และผู้ร่วมผลิตเนื้อหาทางวัฒนธรรมในเวลาเดียวกัน ซึ่งสามารถเชื่อมโยงซีรีส์วายกับการท่องเที่ยว การบริโภคสินค้าไทย และภาพลักษณ์เชิงบวกของประเทศ ข้อค้นพบทั้งหมดนำไปสู่ข้อสรุปว่า ซีรีส์วายไทยมีศักยภาพในฐานะซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ที่เชื่อมโยงกับเศรษฐกิจสร้างสรรค์ อย่างไรก็ตาม การบูรณาการเชิงนโยบายและโครงสร้างสนับสนุนจากภาครัฐยังมีข้อจำกัด และจากการสื่อสารของทั้งสองสื่อดังกล่าวชี้ให้เห็นว่าประเทศไทยยังขาดการพัฒนากลวิธีการสื่อสารและการพูดถึงยุทธศาสตร์การสื่อสารอย่างเป็นระบบ

An Integrated Machine Learning Approach For Identifying Emergency Rescue Messages On Social Media During Natural Disasters, Wael Khallouli, Jiang Li, Jingwei Huang, Ghaith Rabadi, Samuel Kovacic

School of Cybersecurity Faculty Publications

During large-scale disasters, emergency call centers are often overwhelmed by the large volume of rescue requests and calls for help. Consequently, people are turning to social media platforms to seek assistance. Rescue information posted on these platforms is extremely valuable for first responders to make informed rescue decisions. Therefore, the automatic identification of these requests from the vast amount of data posted on social media during crises is critical yet challenging. This work presents our ongoing research on applying deep learning techniques to extract actionable rescue information from social media during crises. We proposed a novel deep learning model that …

Perceptions Of Stem Education And Artificial Intelligence: A Twitter (X) Sentiment Analysis, Demetrice Smith-Mutegi, Yoseph Mamo, Jinhee Kim, Helen Crompton, Matthew Mcconnell

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Background, context, and purpose of the study: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, holding promising potential for supporting the design and implementation of quality STEM education. However, there is a lack of data-based research studying the diverse perceptions of AI in STEM education as conveyed on social media, the factors that influence those perceptions, or the change in those perceptions over time among public audiences. Results, the main findings: The purpose of this study was to examine public perceptions of AI in STEM education by analyzing X posts (Tweets) between 04/28/2020 …

Fostering Critically Conscious Lesson Planning In A Generative Artificial Intelligence Era, Derek Riddle, Paula Cristina Azevedo, Catharyn Shelton, Jaime Colwell, Jori Beck

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Teacher candidates (TCs) use digital resources and social media to plan and develop learning material, and with publically accessible generative artificial intelligence (GAI), TCs are able to generate lesson plans within seconds rather than hours or days. While there is research on how to support TCs' evaluation of reliable digital media, there is little known on how to prepare TCs for GAI content. Using the complementary frameworks of Freire’s (1970) critical consciousness and Jonnasen’s (1991) theory of constructivism, this in-progress design based research seeks to develop an adaptable framework that addresses the evolving nature of technology, specifically GAI, and the …

Vaccines And Publics: A Variety Of Engagement Experiences, David H. Lee

Publications and Research

This chapter is about some of the sites and scenes where members of the public are exposed to (and engage in) vaccination discourse. To preview, after a brief introduction, we begin with messaging models of communication, followed by the move from messaging to engagement. Next, case examples of public engagement with vaccines are introduced, from pandemic influenza preparedness in the U.S., to polio eradication initiatives in India, and then to COVID-19 public engagement events in England. Settings of public engagement are noted, including online, in churches and museums. Then, there’s a section about communication and public participation, seen as either …