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From Basel (1989) To Busan (2024): Developments And Contradictions In The Global Plastic Waste Trade, Megan E. Hughes

Honors Theses

In 1989, the international community convened in Basel to adopt groundbreaking, legally binding legislation on the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Plastic waste was notably absent from the initial Basel Convention due to the perceived economic value in plastic recycling despite social, economic, and environmental harms. Consequently, the transboundary sale of plastic waste for recycling– known as the Global Plastic Waste Trade (GPWT)– has proceeded largely unregulated, enabling unsustainable plastic consumption while exacerbating environmental justice divides between developed and developing nations. Recent commitments in the GPWT, such as the European Commission Circular Economy Action Plan (2015), China’s National Sword policy …

Coming Back To Life: Inner Work, Intentional Containers And Feminine Leadership For Social Change — A Phenomenological Case Study Of A Social Change-Oriented Organization And The Self, Maria Trias Arraut

Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the phenomenon of inner work within social change organizations through an in-depth case study of a nonprofit organization dedicated to women’s empowerment and transformation. Using a phenomenological approach and ethnographic methods, the research combines intensive 7-month fieldwork in 2016 with reflective analysis years later, shaped by my own evolving relationship with inner work practices, providing a unique perspective on how inner work lived experience shapes individuals, organizational culture, and social change efforts.

The findings reveal that the social change organization (SCO) operated through three distinct yet interconnected levels of inner work practice: tending to the personal …

The Prospects Of The High Seas Treaty Decisively Reducing The Negative Biodiversity Impacts Of Distant Water Fishing Operations, Shirley V. Scott, Nengye Liu

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

International fisheries law has so far proven inadequate to prevent over-fishing on the high seas, a key cause of biodiversity loss in areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Negotiation of the High Seas Treaty (Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction or BBNJ Agreement) afforded an opportunity to respond decisively to the worsening problem. The Treaty was concluded in 2023. It is yet to enter into force. Preparations and negotiations for the Treaty spanned some 20 years. By …

Limit Tests: Sociodemographic Representation In Public Organizations, Christopher Dee Eddy

Theses and Dissertations

Bureaucratic institutions are a critical yet often underappreciated nexus of democratic legitimacy. However, public agencies frequently fail to represent key constituencies of the American public, significantly influencing citizens' attitudes toward governing institutions and challenging effective governance. Research suggests that improving sociodemographic representation within political institutions can reinforce institutional support and citizen trust through symbolic processes and promote equitable policy outcomes through actions of bureaucrats from historically excluded groups.

Despite these insights, past research is divided on if, how, and when descriptive or passive representation leads to beneficial symbolic or active effects. While the existing body of representative bureaucracy theory offers …

From The Ground Up: Community-Based Participatory Research Reclaiming The Science Of Lead, Juan Manuel Rubio, Bavisha Kaylan, Anthony Diaz, Patricia Flores, Maya Cheav, David C. Bañuelas, Ashley Green, Annika Hjelmstad, Ariane Jong-Levinger, Tim Schütz, Maya Carrasquillo, Alana M. W. Lebron, Jun Wu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

For decades, the dominant approach to lead poisoning has been to focus on homes affected by lead paint and to treat children who are already suffering from lead poisoning. This individualizing approach developed in the context of the defunding and deregulation of government agencies in the 1980s. In recent years, however, community–academic partnerships have reframed lead as an environmental issue produced by the development of the lead industry in the twentieth century and connected to overlapping histories of exploitation, discrimination, and inaction. These community-based projects have contributed to shifting research agendas (by emphasizing historical analysis and the study of the …

Next Time, There Will Be No Next Time: The Short Vs. Long Term Policy Debate For Catastrophe, Analyzed Through Major Events In The United States Of America During 2020, Lauren K. Barlow

Politics Honors Papers

What accounts for citizens’ policy preferences between short-term payoff and long-term investment policies? How are these beliefs impacted by the personal construction of time horizons in relation to “end of times” experiences or disasters? In this research study, I will investigate whether the year 2020 shifted certain demographic groups either towards or away from supporting long-term investment policies in the three aforementioned areas. I compare the preferences of sample groups of Americans before, during, and after 2020, to determine whether the endurance of this time period shifted individuals towards a “Never again” or a “Not Now” mentality, and what the …

The Leading Causes Of Homelessness In Two Southeastern Counties Of Pennsylvania, Lucia Christine Spargo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted leading social issue in the United States. Society tends to focus on the individual as the cause of their own homelessness, blaming the victim rather than larger social and/or economic factors. There is an excess amount of data surrounding why/how an individual becomes homeless, but there is very little research examining the leading causes of homelessness in smaller geographic areas, such as counties. This study provides a better understanding and analysis of the leading causes of homelessness in two suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania using binary logistic regression. Using ArcGIS, the study identified potential …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Incorporation Of Nature Into Multilevel Social Work Practice, Tessa Palmer

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have an innate connection to nature, often referred to as biophilia. Besides providing the basic necessities for life, interacting with nature has been connected to lower rates of depression and hypertension, improved hospital outcomes, reduced stress, better cognition, and many other benefits. Conversely, increased urbanization is being linked to more chronic medical conditions than in the past due to social inequalities, lifestyle factors, and environmental degradation. People of color and lower socioeconomic status are being disconnected from nature through environmental racism that leads to higher exposure to toxins and pollutants, less access to clean drinking water, and lack of …

"Guided By A Global Perspective": The Global Teaching Practices Of Social Work Faculty, Janine M. Speiser

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) states that the social work profession is guided by a global perspective and the enhancement of life for all people, both locally and globally. Per the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (2022 EPAS), the social work curriculum of an integrated program includes global content that is specifically related to racism, oppression, and policy. However, literature suggests that the incorporation of global content into social work education has been slow, sparse, and siloed. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which social work faculty have integrated global content from …

Climate Change Adaptation Through Economic Democracy, Shriraksha Mohan

Best Integrated Writing

Mohan investigates and combines three different areas of literature and social movements to discuss the problem of climate change and economic adaptation. The value of this work is that it can be used to communicate among three independent types of social movements and inquiries. This can strengthen and connect dispersed yet overlapping efforts in addressing work issues, resource utilization, economic governance and participation, and ecological problems economies face today.

Analyzing The Special Supplemental Nutrition For Women, Infants, And Children (Wic) In Texas, Misty Ledesma

Undergraduate Research Conference

This research explores food insecurity and how WIC addresses nutritional risks in Texas. It examines past and present efforts, policy gaps, and potential improvements to enhance WIC's effectiveness.

Personal Narrative As Pedagogy: A Model For Socially Responsive Narrative-Based Education In Occupational Therapy, Johnna Belkiewitz, Sally Wasmuth

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

The practice of occupational therapy relies on the collection and analysis of life narratives to provide responsive client-centered care. As developing holistic practitioners, occupational therapy students are taught to consider these shared stories within a larger context of historical and societal systems by acknowledging such factors as social determinants of health. Case studies are a frequently used tool to teach these skills; however, evidence supports that the identities of these educational stories’ authors can influence which perspectives are shared and, ultimately, impact developing occupational therapists’ perpetuation of or opposition to existing systems of oppression. Critical Race Theory and qualitative methodology …

Practicing Community, Cultivating Democracy -- Lessons From Professional Power Shifters, Sylvia Gale

Other Publications

Below I describe five intentional practices people working in human-facing professions can employ in order to create the conditions for a healthy democracy.

These practices were originally distilled from my observations at the Deaconess Foundation’s Helsinki D-Stations and from my interactions and discussions with professionals across the Foundation’s Civic Action and Community Programs team from January-June 2023, when I was hosted by the Deaconess Foundation on a Mid-Career Professional Development Award from the Fulbright Finland Foundation. Since then, I have augmented and clarified these practices through observation and reflection with colleagues in my American context, where I am the executive …

Between The Land And The Sea: Belizean Voices In Environmental Governance, Kris-An K. Hinds

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coastal communities around the world are at the epicenter of dynamic socio-environmental transformations driven by the impacts of climate change, shifting human–more-than-human environmental relationships, and the decisions made in response to these challenges. As environmental concerns intensify, the governance decisions made to address these impacts will determine the severity of the impacts and the future of affected coastal areas. In regions such as the Caribbean, Central America, and Latin America, environmental governance is complicated by uneven power dynamics, historical legacies of racialized environmental spaces, and the ongoing challenge of balancing national economic growth with environmental preservation. These transformations are not …

After The Economic Downfall At The Coastal Frontier: A Portrait Of Women Persisting Amidst Sea Abrasion In Northern Bekasi, Muhammad R. A. Ghifari, Gilang Mahadika

Antropologi Indonesia

This article explores the socio-environmental transformations in Muara Gembong, a coastal frontier in northern Bekasi, Indonesia, that once thrived as a hub for shrimp and milkfish farming but is now grappling with environmental degradation and economic decline. By drawing on feminist political ecology (FPE), the study examines how women in the region have adapted to the deteriorating environment, driven by coastal erosion, mangrove loss, and the collapse of fish pond businesses. While men traditionally dominated the local economy as aquaculturists, women have assumed critical roles in sustaining household livelihoods through creative economic activities, such as weaving wlingi laut (Cyperus malaccensis) …

Risk, Vulnerability, And Resilience In “Natural” Disasters: A Hurricane Katrina Case Study, Scarlett Oaks '25

Honor Scholar Theses

With the rapid rate of climate change, major weather events and natural disasters are predicted to become more commonplace. An understanding of the factors to a community’s economic and social rebuilding can foster resilience against future disasters, even with a changing climate and the slow implementation of climate policy. Hurricane Katrina caused billions of dollars in damages and nearly 2,000 casualties when the storm reached New Orleans in 2005. The lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina can inform resilience efforts and identify gaps in preparedness and protection. An investigation of the historical inequalities that persisted in New Orleans reveals that neoliberal …

Corruption And Foreign Influence: A Cross-National Analysis Of Environmental Violence, Jamilah D. Christiansen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

World systems theory argues that wealthier nations exploit less developed nations, exerting their power and influence to take advantage of resources, often with little pushback. However, there is an ever-growing number of conflicts organized by citizens and activists alike that seek to push-back against the exploitation of their homes and labor, working to resist the political corruption and foreign manipulation within their governments. This dissertation examines the factors that contribute to the rise in environmentally-related conflicts, the impacts of those conflicts, and finally the resolutions of those conflicts using data that includes 1370 instances of conflict across 101 nations from …

Full Issue, Kritika Kultura

Kritika Kultura

No abstract provided.

When Business Meets Badge: Corporate America's Hand In The Crackdown Against Dissent In Cop City, Ariana Crepeau

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Spring Expo Poster Presentation

• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Turning Farm Waste Into Energy: Pragmatic Approaches For Cleaner Midwestern American Communities, Rebecca Gaisie

Selected or Submitted Student Research Papers/Projects

Mismanagement of farm waste in the Midwest of the United States has resulted in significant methane emissions, water contamination, and public health concerns. The present manure management rules are still inconsistent, underfunded, and insufficient to motivate individuals to behave in a way that benefits the environment, despite increasing concerns about the environment. This policy study investigates anaerobic digestion as a potential means to convert waste into energy that could support rural and environmental development. Some of the problems with the federal and state legislation examined in this study under an EPI framework are a lack of incentives, inadequate technical support, …

Examining The Effect Of Climate Change Denialism In American Christianity On International Climate Policy, Hope Mcbride

Selected Honors Theses

While 53% of Americans say anthropogenic climate change is happening, only 32% of American evangelical Protestants share that belief (Alper). Key reasons for this gap include the values and political affiliations held by religious Americans. Historically, there have been dissenting opinions on the role of Christianity in global warming, but ultimately data have demonstrated that the opinions of American Christians can influence major global political decisions, such as President Trump’s executive order pulling the United States out of the keystone Paris Agreement.

The Grass Ain’T Greener: Lessons On Accessibility For Country Bumpkins And City Slickers, Molly E. Thompson

Publications and Research

This fictional work tells the story of two disabled young adults—long-distance best friends Savannah and Heather—as they navigate the accessibility challenges of their respective environments. Savannah, the daughter of rural farmers who is frustrated with the inaccessibility and isolation of her hometown, moves to study in the city. Meanwhile, Heather, a city dweller, moves to a rural area to pursue their dream of being a park ranger. While they both hope to escape the barriers of their home regions, both friends find new barriers in their travels, such as city construction, lack of rural resources, and attitudinal barriers. Soon, Savannah …

Justicia Ambiental Y Extractivismo: Un Análisis Del Conflicto Petrolero Offshore En Mar Del Plata, Lily Hui

Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights

No abstract provided.

From Trend To Trash: Unraveling The Waste Issue In Fast Fashion And Its Impact On Ghana, Rowan Kilbridge

Student Theses 2015-Present

Fast fashion, with its rapid production cycles and low-cost clothing, is significantly worsening the global waste crisis by driving overconsumption and excessive garment disposal. This thesis examines how fast fashion's business model contributes to the escalating problems of textile waste, microplastics, and chemical pollution, with a specific focus on Ghana. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the industry's impact on Ghana’s ecosystem services, supported by both quantitative and qualitative data. Chapter 2 offers a historical analysis of fast fashion, highlighting the evolution of consumer culture and the increasing emphasis on overconsumption driven by marketing strategies and the constant demand …

Caught In The Middle: The Geopolitics Of The Visegrad Group’S Just Transition, Jack Helms

Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the former satellite states of Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary, together known as the Visegrad group, have found themselves at a geopolitical crossroads. After gaining independence, Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia quickly ascended to pan-European alliances such as the European Union (EU) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), dealing a geopolitical blow to Russia and setting the region up for integration with greater European geoeconomic grand strategy. Recent political movements in all four countries questioning Western leadership have imperiled one of the European Union’s signature long-term geoeconomic programs: reducing the continent’s reliance on fossil fuels. …

The Public Utility Regulation Of Dollar General, Olivia R. Sokos

West Virginia Law Review

As food insecurity persists across the country, few solutions have been proposed to address the lack of access to healthy food in rural regions. This Note explores whether public utilities regulation is a theoretical avenue for addressing rural food deserts. The contribution of this Note is to encourage the recognition of healthy food as a critical public good through a modern public utility lens and build solutions to inadequate food access in rural regions by considering the qualities unique to rural populations. One solution proposed herein is to apply a modern public utility framework to dollar stores, ensuring reliable and …

Policy Pathways To Energy Transition: A Comparative Perspective On Portugal And The Netherlands, Anna Atticks

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

This research examines the implementation of European Union (EU) directives—specifically, the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and the Renewable Energy Sources Directive (RED)—in Portugal and the Netherlands. While both countries operate under the jurisdiction of the EU, adopting necessary EU climate mandates, Portugal and the Netherlands implement unique national strategies to achieve the relevant targets. Specifically, each country’s strategy is primarily shaped by its geographical location, socioeconomic characteristics, and institutional capacity. Utilizing the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework and two economic theories, including the Pigouvian Taxation Theory and the Porter Hypothesis, this study assesses how fiscal instruments, …

Enhancing Urban Water Drainage In Avenida Da Liberdade: Evaluating Green Spaces And Sustainable Infrastructure In Lisbon’S Master Drainage Plan, Eva Asfahani

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Lisbon’s Plano Geral de Drenagem de Lisboa (PGDL) represents a major step toward modernizing the city’s drainage system in response to growing environmental pressures. This paper explores how sustainable infrastructure, particularly nature-based solutions such as Green-Blue Infrastructure, are incorporated into the PGDL, with a focus on the Avenida da Liberdade area. Through a combination of literature review, fieldwork, and interviews with municipal officials, the research evaluates the environmental, economic, and social benefits of integrating decentralized, sustainable drainage systems alongside traditional gray infrastructure. Findings show that while the PGDL makes important progress in reducing flood risk and improving water quality, spatial …

Race Centers As Critical Curriculum Spaces In U.S. Law Schools, Katheryn Russell-Brown, Vanessa Miller

Mercer Law Review

This piece aims to amplify the role of law school race centers. In fact, these centers are central curriculum spaces for student teaching and learning about race. The discussion highlights the role of race centers in law schools, explores the scholarly potential of race centers, and proposes strategies for sustaining race centers. The piece examines the role of race centers in helping law schools meet American Bar Association Standard 303(c), which requires that law students are exposed to race‑related curriculum, such as bias, cross‑cultural competencies, or racism. Tracing the historical roots of modern‑day race centers to Black Culture Centers of …

Sembrando La Justicia Hídrica: Soluciones Indígenas A La Escasez De Agua En La Comunidad De Paru Paru, Ella Nichol

Peru: Indigenous Peoples and Globalization

This research focuses on the ways in which neoliberal policies and climate change are transforming water culture in indigenous communities of the Peruvian Andes. Specifically, the study explores how indigenous communities are responding to water scarcity through the ancestral practice of planting and harvesting water. Residents of Andean regions are some of the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change; irregular rainfall and melting glaciers are creating an unprecedented loss of water sources. Furthermore, the water management of the Peruvian state, using a neoliberal model, is restricting the access to and use of water for indigenous communities. This research …