Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Empathy For Teachers Through Interactive Video Game Mechanics, Shanel L. Locke

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

This project explores the power of game mechanics to cultivate empathy for educators by simulating the multifaceted challenges of teaching. While aspiring teachers may feel prepared through formal education, the realities of the profession, such as managing unpredictable classroom dynamics, asserting authority, and juggling a multitude of tasks—often reveal unexpected complexities. These struggles, though common, are rarely discussed openly for fear of discouraging prospective educators, leaving them unprepared for the realities of the field.

Through the development of a serious game, I aim to illuminate these challenges in a controlled yet immersive environment. The game’s mechanics are meticulously designed to …

Juvenile Arthritis, Body Image, And Disordered Eating: An Exploration Of Experiences, Katelyn A. Melcher

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

This qualitative study examined eating and body experiences among youth with juvenile arthritis (JA). JA, an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 300,000 youth in the United States, poses significant challenges including chronic pain, disability, and psychological concerns such as anxiety and depression. Although adolescence is a critical developmental time for body image and disordered eating concerns to emerge, no qualitative research has explored the interactions of JA, body image, and eating behaviors among youth. Twelve youth with a JA diagnosis participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview examining their experiences with JA and their feelings about their bodies and food as they …

From Drought To Disparity: Navigating Relief And Barriers For Vulnerable Farmers In The Western Us, Kyla Fugate, Shae Olsen

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

As climate change intensifies, United States Department of Agriculture emergency programs provide crucial relief during crises. Yet, programs like the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) are now being triggered each year as droughts become routine in the western US. Simultaneously, the most climate vulnerable farmers are largely left out of these programs. We examine how institutional structures, program design, and implementation practices shape access to public agricultural support services in the western US, with particular focus on beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers (BSDFs). Drawing from nearly 50 in-depth interviews with USDA staff and farmers across western states, our two papers work …

A Century Of The Irish Border: Revisiting Militarization In The Post-Brexit Era, Carolyn E. Crowder

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Since Irish independence in 1923, the border between Ireland and the United Kingdom has undergone periods of militarization and demilitarization; but has been effectively demilitarized since 1998. Amid increases in border conflicts worldwide, crucial questions emerge: What caused these periods of militarization and demilitarization, and why has the border sustained its demilitarized status, even with Brexit’s destabilizing effects? Will the border be remilitarized in the future? To answer these questions, I apply and test two international relations theories, structural realism and social constructivism. In the absence of publicly available data, I gathered and coded an original dataset of Irish border …

Understanding Inter-Agency Decision Making Processes Of Prescribed Fire In Western Montana, Cassandra A. Mendoza

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Fire suppression, climate change, and increasing human presence in wildland-urban interfaces challenge land managers in implementing prescribed fire. This study examines the temporal and spatial dimensions of prescribed fire decision-making, current information sources, and gaps in knowledge. Limited understanding exists regarding the specific information needs of wildfire managers to determine timing and location. Decision-making insights can inform risk reduction and fire mitigation strategies, including when and where to burn and its impact on human well-being. We will conduct qualitative, semi-structured interviews with prescribed fire decision-makers in Western Montana, using a chain referral sampling approach to reach at least 30 participants. …

#Seahorsedad: A Study Of Metaphors In Transmasculine Birther’S Instagram Posts, Alexa Anne Runnion

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

For my master’s thesis, I am examining the narratives of transmasculine birthers, or trans men who have given birth. Specifically, I focus on how these individuals navigate and redefine their reproductive bodies within the context of dominant discourses that say only cisgender women bear children. Recently, there has been a rise of online communities that offer transmasculine individuals who become pregnant a space to share their stories. “Seahorse dad” is a label that transmasculine birthers commonly adopt, and these digital platforms offer a space for seahorse dads to narrate their birthing experiences and find community. At the core of this …

Impacts Of The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act And Adaptive Capacity In The Social-Ecological System Of Chilika Lagoon, India, Adyasha Nayak

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

The growing demand for seafood in the global North has led to transition of capture fisheries to aquaculture to meet the demand. While this growth has been considered a success for livelihood development, its negative impacts on small-scale and traditional fisheries offset the benefits.

This is evident in the case of Chilika lagoon on the east coast of India. Chilika lagoon is a natural habitat for Indian prawn (Penaeus indicus) and thus attracted commercialization during the aquaculture boom. Starting in the 1980s, encroachment of aquaculture and proliferation of commercial fishing has led to loss of traditional fishing areas …

The Impacts Of Ambient Air Quality On Asthma Outcomes In California: A Longitudinal Analyses, Abigail Obour

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

This study investigates the relationship between ambient air quality and asthma-related health outcomes in California, focusing on emergency department visits and hospitalizations from 2005 to 2022. Despite California’s strict air quality regulations, many urban and rural communities still face significant pollution challenges that contribute to poor respiratory health, particularly among vulnerable populations. Using panel data from specific counties, this research examines the effects of key pollutants like nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on asthma outcomes. A fixed effects regression model is employed to control for unobserved heterogeneity and time-specific shocks ensuring robust estimates of …

Assessing The Micro- And Macroscopic Changes Of Taphonomically Altered Bone, Shelby Feirstein

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Forensic identifications may be hampered when perpetrators find unique ways of obscuring their victims’ identities, such as fire and household corrosive substances. Thermal alteration, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid are known to change both the structural integrity and composition of skeletal elements; but the patterns of these processes, nor how each may affect the potential for obtaining identifying DNA data, are well understood.

Burned bone concomitantly follows a defined color spectrum and eventually reaches calcination, consisting only of its original inorganic mineral, hydroxyapatite, which is naturally white in color and brittle.

In contrast, analyses of chemical exposure focus on total …

Water Scarcity In The Bitterroot Valley, August W. Guenthner

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Abstract

Water scarcity is an increasingly pressing issue in Montana's Bitterroot Valley due to the dual pressures of climate change and rapid population growth. This research explores how agricultural producers in the region experience and adapt to water scarcity, a challenge exacerbated by decreasing and unpredictable precipitation patterns and rising residential water demand. Using semi-structured, long-form interviews with experienced farmers, the study examines the specific impacts of water scarcity on agricultural operations and the adaptive strategies employed to ensure resilience. By centering the experiences of local producers, this research aims to contribute to the broader literature on agricultural adaptation while …

Coaching While Mothering In Ncaa Division I Volleyball, Allison Lawrence

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

NCAA Division I Volleyball is the most competitive level of volleyball in the United States outside of recent emerging professional leagues. The sport of volleyball has grown exponentially since the enactment of Title IX and NCAA DI membership has increased to 96% (DeBoer, 2021). While significant efforts in recruitment and retention have been made to increase opportunities for women coaches at the NCAA DI level, the percentage of women head coaches in women’s volleyball has seen declines and steady stagnation (LaVoi, 2020). Coaching while mothering is a unique and fraught process that remains unsupported due to a number of social, …

Predictive Power Of Metalinguistic Skills In Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Melissa Phelan

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) have difficulty understanding and using spoken language, which negatively impacts their academic outcomes and psychosocial wellbeing. DLD is highly prevalent, affecting approximately two out of every 25 children, but less than 40% of children with DLD are ever identified to receive services. Currently, we rely on parent and teacher referrals to find DLD, which is clearly insufficient. Additionally, 50% of children with DLD will also develop the reading disorder dyslexia, meaning they will struggle with both spoken and written language. Given schools’ limited time and resources, we need an efficient method for (a) identifying …

Medication-Assisted Treatment For Opioid Use Disorder In Montana: Barriers And Best Practices, Lindsey Hundemer, Jacqueline Kline

UM Graduate Student Research Conference (GradCon)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an evidence-based approach for opioid use disorder (OUD) using medications like buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone to treat symptoms of OUD and withdrawal. Despite reducing opioid-related deaths by 50% and improving employment, criminal activity, and birth outcomes, its acceptance in Montana's substance use disorder (SUD) housing varies. Experts stress MAT as essential medical care, yet stigma-driven policies still restrict access, forcing some to choose between medication and treatment.

This study explores the landscape of MAT acceptance in Montana SUD treatment facilities, highlighting the barriers that prevent its widespread acceptance, differences regarding treatment duration, approved medications, and administration …

Montana Kaimin, March 6, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Documents From The March 5, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the March 5, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Gli Weekly, March 4, 2025, Franke Global Leadership Initiative

GLI Weekly

The Big Give is coming! And the Franke GLI needs YOU! -- Attention Freshmen: Advising begins this week -- Are you planning to study abroad in the spring of 2026? -- Free Film Screening: Raksha Bandhan -- Visiting Scholar: Dr. Rebecca Davis -- For one day only, we invite you to experience the Black History 101 Mobile Museum -- Cyber Montana Events: Grow your future in cybersecurity -- Career Days is Coming

Connections, 2024, University Of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library

Connections

No abstract provided.

Noncoincidence In The Brothers Karamazov, Stewart Justman

Global Humanities and Religions Faculty Publications

The intricate plot of The Brothers Karamazov turns upon conjunctions of events which, on inspection, turn out not to be coincidental. Only by probing the often-subtle connections between events can we appreciate the implications of actions and failures to act in this astonishing work. The Brothers Karamazov tells not of a mysterious power called Coincidence that orders human affairs, but of the responsibilities of human agents, and its wonder lies not only in philosophical excurses like the Grand Inquisitor episode, which seem to transcend its pages, but in the complexity of its own construction.

March 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

A. Overview Of The 1970 Flathead Lake Seismic Survey, Robert Lankston

1970 Flathead Lake Seismic Survey

This book describes the evolution of the Wold-Friedel subbottom profiling system that was used during the 1970 reflection seismic survey at Flathead Lake. The book summarizes the key phases of acquisition and use of the reflection seismic data that were collected and describes the evolution of the physical and digital archives of that seismic project.

Montana Agritourism In 2024: Opportunities And Challenges In A Changing Landscape, Glenna Hartman, Elena Bigart, Ava Worbets, Hilary Faxon, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

Agritourism is a growing industry that offers Montana’s farmers and ranchers an opportunity to supplement their income, preserve agricultural heritage, and foster public engagement with rural communities. With Montana’s rich agricultural history, expansive landscapes, and growing tourism sector, agritourism is uniquely positioned to thrive, benefiting both producers and local economies. This report highlights the opportunities, challenges, and future potential of agritourism in Montana, based on research and survey data from farmers, ranchers, and community stakeholders.

Preview; Mullee V. Winter Sports, Inc.: How Far Does The Statutory Duty Of Ski Area Operators Go?, Clint Connors

Montana Law Review Online

No abstract provided.

Montana Kaimin, February 27, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Documents From The February 26, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the February 26, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Montana Kaimin, February 20, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Documents From The February 19, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the February 19, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Montana Kaimin, February 13, 2025, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Sb05-24_25 Resolution Encouraging University Of Montana Administration To Adopt Formalized Action On Matters Of Collective Endorsement And Aligned Proposals From The University Of Montana Shared Governance Bodies, Ashley Smith, Ryan Akin

University of Montana Staff Senate Resolutions

Resolution encouraging the Administration of the University of Montana to have a formalized response timeline to any resolution or proposal that receives the aligned support of all three shared governance bodies on Campus: Associated Students of the University of Montana, Faculty Senate, and Staff Senate.

Passed at the February 12th, 2025 Meeting of the University of Montana Staff Senate Meeting.

ASUM Senate passed this resolution on January 29th, 2025 by a vote of 18-0-0. SB22-24/25 in ASUM records.

Faculty Senate voted to table the resolution at their February 6th, 2025 meeting.

Documents From The February 12th, 2025 Meeting Of The University Of Montana Staff Senate, University Of Montana--Missoula. Staff Senate

University of Montana Staff Senate Meeting Minutes

Agenda and meeting minutes from the February 12th, 2025 meeting of the University of Montana Staff Senate.

The following resolution was discussed and passed:

"SB05-24_25 Resolution Encouraging University of Montana Administration" by Ashley Smith and Ryan Akin

A vote for new Vice President took place due to VP Ashley Smith leaving the University.

Documents From The February 12, 2025 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum)., Associated Students Of The University Of Montana

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Minutes and agenda from the February 12, 2025 Meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).