Digital Commons Network^™

“I Know How To Identify And Communicate My Needs”: A Qualitative Study Of The Self-Perceived Strengths Of People In Polyamorous Relationships, Alexander K. Tatum, Sharon M. Flicker, Nawar Albarak, Jessi M. Schroeder, Ash Moomaw, Idil Ugurluoglu, Alex Whitman, Alysse Wiggins, Danielle Davis, Robyn Fisher

Faculty Publications – Psychology

Little empirical research has adopted a strength-based approach to examine strategies that help offset challenges (e.g., discrimination, internalized stigma) faced by people in polyamorous relationships. The current qualitative study assessed the self-perceived strengths of 63 US-based, adult participants who reported present or former engagement in at least one polyamorous relationship. Participants' responded to the open-ended question, “What particular characteristics do you have that help you navigate the challenges of polyamory?” A thematic analysis identified strengths across eight broad themes: personality traits, a willingness to challenge mononormative socialization, ability to manage difficult emotions, experiencing compersion and/or low levels of/well-managed jealousy, strong …

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Sixty-Sixth Annual Commencement, December 2025, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Illinois State University

One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Annual Commencement

December 2025

Intersectional Life Course Inequalities In Cardiovascular Health In Post-Apartheid South Africa, Winfred A. Avogo

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

Background Health inequalities research typically employs single measurement modalities, which limit our understanding of how historical structural violence affects different dimensions of health experience across intersectional social positions over the life course. Methods Using longitudinal data from South Africa’s National Income Dynamics Study (2008–2017), we employed dual measurement approaches and intersectional life course analysis to examine cardiovascular health trajectories among 36,814 individuals (92,702 person-years of observation). Random-effects logistic regression modeled measured hypertension, while zero-inflated Poisson regression examined self-reported CVD comorbidity across birth cohorts defined by differential apartheid exposure, testing race × gender interactions explicitly. Results Pronounced birth cohort gradients emerged …

[Reev] Describing Social Movement Evolutionary Pathways Through The Conviction-Moderated Adaptive Voter Model, Arturo F. Serrano Borrero, Dylan Green, Olivia J. Chu

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

[Project Insight] Spatio-Temporal Analysis Of Domestic Violence In Puerto Rico, Phyllis Muniu

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Reading The Word And The World: Overstanding Literacy In Aboriginal And Chinese Classrooms, Gui Ying Annie Yang-Heim

Faculty Publications - College of Education

This qualitative comparative case study examines how culturally grounded philosophies of education shape the teaching and learning of reading in two cross-cultural contexts—an Aboriginal Australian classroom and urban Chinese elementary schools. Drawing on interpretive and reflexive methodologies, it investigates how Aboriginal and Confucian epistemologies influence literacy practices and how these practices align with or resist dominant, decontextualized models of reading instruction. Data sources include classroom observations, reading assessments, teacher interviews, and researcher reflections. Conceptually framed by Gadamer’s hermeneutics, Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital, Habermas’s typology of knowledge, and the Caribbean concept of overstanding, this research finds that Aboriginal literacy is …

The Impact Of Year-Long Teaching Symposium On Faculty Implementation Of Evidence-Based Education Approaches, Julie A. Honaker, Joan Besing, Radhika Aravamudhan, Loretta Nunez

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

On May 17-28, 2021, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) launched a two-week teaching symposium on Foundational Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) science courses and innovation in teaching and learning: speech, language, and hearing sciences. Participants also joined asynchronous threaded discussions and a series of synchronous peer-based online discussions. Ninety-four participants completed a teaching symposium pre-assessment and two post-assessment surveys, and quantitative and qualitative results were reviewed across all time points. All 94 participants indicated motivation to use evidence-based strategies to improve teaching and students’ learning after participation, reinforcing the need for continued review and faculty engagement in these topics.

Signs & Symbols, Fall 2025, Illinois State University, Department Of Sociology And Anthropology

Signs & Symbols

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of Sociology and Anthropology. An email newsletter version of this document is available at https://web.archive.org/web/20260223203547/https://news.illinoisstate.edu/newsletters/signs-symbols-fall-25/.

Redbird Scholar, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Fall 2025), Illinois State University, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Graduate Studies

Redbird Scholar

No abstract provided.

2025 Latinx Heritage Month, Illinois State University, Latin American And Latino/A Studies Program

Latinx Heritage Month Posters

Schedule of events for Illinois State University's Latinx Heritage Month celebration

The Effects Of Hunger, Starvation, And Famine On Certain Eating Habits: A Cross-Cultural Study, Robert Dirks

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

This paper examines the impact of starvation and famine on certain eating habits. These include commensal relations within households, dispositions towards eating with strangers and modes of appetite expression. It tests the proposition that much of the variation seen in these aspects of eating behavior worldwide can be explained by societal experiences with hunger. The study analyzes data from 124 societies and finds significant associations between episodes of food insufficiency and non-inclusive, uncongenial eating practices. This research contributes to the understanding of how food supply and nutritional circumstances shape cultural arrangements and offers insights into the broader implications of food …

Rural Perspectives On Design: A Citizens' Institute On Rural Design National Participant Study & Multimedia Research Exhibit, Sierra Mack-Erb

Student Research – Stevenson Center

Sierra Mack-Erb is a 2025 graduate of the Stevenson Center’s Applied Community and Economic Development Fellows Program at Illinois State University, earning their M.S. in Cultural Anthropology. This report summarizes their experience conducting capstone research during their second year professional practice with the Housing Assistance Council, a national nonprofit that supports affordable housing efforts throughout rural America, and overviews their graduate capstone research study. As a fellow at the Housing Assistance Council, Sierra spent significant time supporting the Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design, a national rural design program and the focal point of their capstone research study. CIRD is a …

Does Non-Idealism Entail Particularism?, John Lawless

Faculty Publications - Philosophy

No abstract provided.

The Relationships Between Higher Education Institutions And High School Sports Associations: Maximizing Symbiotic Relationships For Teaching Sports Communication, Joseph R. Blaney Ph.D., Livvi Anderson, Evan R. Craig

Faculty Publications - Communications

In this exploratory study of High School Sports Associations (HSSAs) and theirrelationships with sports communication programs at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), investigators discovered that the associations very broadly see the benefit of establishing mutually beneficial relationships. In its most helpful form, the relationships create Experiential Learning (EL) opportunities which give college students an advantage in a competitive industry while simultaneously helping associations staC the myriad and growing programming events and content platforms. The varying roles available to students, the process behind developing the relationships, and the barriers to creating such relationships are also explored.

State: The Magazine Of Illinois State University, Summer 2025, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

Organizational Development At Milner Library: A Journey Of Transformation 2024-2025, Chloe Vicente, Susan Franzen

Reports and White Papers - Milner Library

This presentation was delivered at Milner Library on June 11, 2025 by Chloe Vicente, Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, and Sue Franzen, Associate Dean of Public Services and Organizational Development.

Illinois State University Salaries Fy2025 Update, Illinois State University

Illinois State University Salaries

Includes two sections: administrative professional and civil service salaries, and non-tenure track, tenure track, and faculty associate salaries.

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Sixty-Sixth Annual Commencement, May 2025, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Illinois State University

One Hundred and Sixty-Sixth Annual Commencement

May 2025

28th Annual Women's, Gender, And Sexuality Studies Symposium Program, 2025, Illinois State University, Women's, Gender, And Sexuality Studies Program

WGSS Student Research Symposium

Program from the Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Symposium

Illinois State University Salaries Fy2025, Illinois State University

Illinois State University Salaries

Includes two sections: administrative professional and civil service salaries, and non-tenure track, tenure track, and faculty associate salaries.

2025 University Research Symposium Program Book, The Graduate School

University Research Symposium Programs

Program book for the 2025 University Research Symposium.

Department Of Politics And Government News And Views, Spring 2025, Department Of Politics And Government

Department of Politics and Government News and Views

Newsletter of the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University

Redbird Scholar, Vol. 10, No. 2 (Spring 2025), Illinois State University, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Graduate Studies

Redbird Scholar

No abstract provided.

Digital Stratification: Comparing Digital Literacy Practices Among Aboriginal And Mainstream Children In Australian Homes, Huan Gao, Gui Ying Annie Yang-Heim

Faculty Publications - College of Education

This qualitative study examines the home digital literacy practices of Aboriginal and Mainstream elementary-age children in Australia, highlighting how socio-economic and cultural factors influence these practices. This study integrates conceptural framework such as capital, digital capital, and social reproduction theory to analyze conversational interviews conducted with six children. Our findings reveal significant disparities in digital capital accumulation, primarily driven by socio-economic differences and varied access to digital resources. Mainstream students typically possess more digital capital, which allows them to navigate the digital landscape more effectively and perpetuate systemic inequalities. The enduring digital divide reinforces existing economic and social hierarchies, exacerbating …

Is There A Sexual Stereotype Linking Casual Sex With Low Self-Esteem?, Susan K. Sprecher, Julie Verette-Lindenbaum, Diane Felmlee, Fiona Therese Fleming, Yasmin Odeh

Faculty Publications – Sociology and Anthropology

An experimental vignette study was conducted to examine the pervasiveness of sexual stereotypes that women (although not men) who engage in casual sex are perceived to have lower self-esteem–and are considered to be less desirable for a relationship–than those who do not engage in casual sex. In a 2 × 2 experimental design, we embedded information about the recent relationship history (two casual sexual relationships vs. two committed sexual relationships) in a hypothetical online dating profile, and also manipulated the profile author’s gender. The participants (N = 318, obtained from two college settings and through Prolific) forecasted that an …

Remembering The Titans: A Cinematic Pedagogy For Enhancing Understanding And Improving Performance In Tuckman's Stages Of Group Development In Management Education, David S. Fowler, Jon Musgrave, David F. Zinn

International Journal for Business Education

This study examines the effectiveness of using multimedia, specifically Remember the Titans, to teach Bruce Tuckman’s Group Development stages in undergraduate management education. The research investigates whether integrating film-based pedagogy enhances student comprehension and academic performance compared to traditional lecture methods. Using a quasi-experimental design, data were collected over six semesters from undergraduate business students (N = 459) at a private liberal arts university. The study compared pre- and post-implementation cohorts, employing a structured writing assignment as an assessment tool. A quantitative analysis, including independent samples t-tests, revealed a statistically significant improvement in student performance (p = 0.039) after implementing …

Academic And Clinical Experiences Of Au.D. Students Who Identify As Members Of Historically Marginalized Racial And Ethnic (Hmre) Groups, Annicka S. Golding, Diana C. Emanuel, Iona Ringgold, Artice Weston

Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders

Few qualitative research papers detail the experiential narratives of communication sciences and disorders (CSD) students from historically marginalized racial and ethnic (HMRE) groups, especially Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) students. This study examined the educational experiences of Au.D. students from HMRE groups. A mixed methods design including a survey (n = 28) and journal narratives (n = 9) was used. Qualitative analysis of survey questions and journal entries revealed five themes: Wellness Management, Presence of Stressors, Significance of Representation, Discrimination Experiences, and Diversity Initiatives. Participant narratives revealed academic and clinical experiences are often influenced by racial and ethnic identity …

Blind And Low-Vision Students As Surveyors Of In/Accessibility In Technology-Mediated Formal Education, Natalie Shaheen

Faculty Publications - College of Education

K-12 institutions are slowly realizing (a) that many of the instructional technologies they use are inaccessible and (b) that technical debt oppresses blind and low-vision (BLV) students. Herein, I report the findings from a qualitative exploration of how BLV students differentiate between accessible and inaccessible technology-mediated education. The findings suggest that in/accessible technology-mediated education is an assemblage of learning, access labor, teachers, technologies, temporalities, and affectivities. I argue that to construct technology-mediated education that is equitable and accessible to BLV students K-12 institutions must do more than pay off their technical debt. I conclude with recommendations for how K-12 institutions …

Stigmatization In The Pre-Death Interactions Of Family And Friends Bereaved By A Drug-Related Death, Joshua H. Stout, Benjamin Fleury-Steiner

Faculty Publications - Criminal Justice Sciences

As part of a larger analysis focused on family members and adult peers bereaved by a drug-related death (DRD), the present study explores how stigmatization is experienced in pre-death interactions. Respondents were asked about the decedent’s history of substance use, experiences with addiction treatment, and the events leading up to the DRD through 35 semi-structured qualitative interviews. Findings reveal several themes related to stigmatization experienced before, during, and after addiction treatment. These include experiences of difficulty accessing treatment, pains of separation and isolation involving facilities out of state, and increased hopelessness with repeated relapses following treatment. Conversely, some respondents described …

Estimating The Effect Of Positivity About Immigrants On Vote Choice In The 2020 Us Presidential Election, L.J. Zigerell

Faculty Publications – Politics and Government

Much of the research that estimates how attitudes about immigrants affect outcomes uses a measure that ranges from a lack of negativity about immigrants to a high level of negativity about immigrants. But this overlooks the effect of positivity about immigrants. The present study illustrates a method that uses a neutral point of indifference about immigrants to separate the effect of positivity about immigrants from the effect of negativity about immigrants. Analysis of data from the Democracy Fund Voter Study Group VOTER Survey suggested that positivity about immigrants was an important predictor of vote choice in the 2020 US presidential …