Digital Commons Network^™

Snow, Ice And Permafrost Landscapes As ‘Frozen Commons’: Examples From Northern Mongolia, Mariia Kuklina, Vera Kuklina, Nikolay Shiklomanov, Alexander Shiklomanov, Kelsey Nyland, Khadbaatar Sandag, Enkh Amgalan Sandag, Natalia Krasnoshtanova, Dmitrii Kobylkin, Alexander Kholodov, Andrey Petrov

Faculty Publications

Cryosphere has a global role as a biogeophysical phenomenon. It affects the livelihoods of people inhabiting permafrost areas and is affected by human activity within and outside of the cryosphere’s geographical span. ‘Frozen commons’ (FCs) are cryosphere resources and landscapes, defined by snow, ice, and permafrost, that are experienced, used, protected and managed by groups of people together. This paper highlights collaboration between herders and scientists aimed at improving the understanding of FCs in northern Mongolia, a region of rapid cryosphere transformation. The impact of climate change on Indigenous and pastoralist communities in Mongolia is profound, leading to the damage …

Neo-Gender Balancing In Saudi Arabia: Divorce Under Social Exchange Theory, Abdullah F. Alrebh, Radhi H. Al-Mabuk

Faculty Publications

This paper uses Richard Emerson’s social exchange theory to analyze the balance in the exchange relations between men and women in Saudi Arabia. The paper is comprised of four major sections: (1) Emerson’s social exchange theory; (2) Saudi women in Vision 2030; (3) Statistics on Saudi women marital status; (4) Power dependence. Emerson’s five assumptions are applied to cases of Saudi women in order to demonstrate how winds of social change are affecting not only attitudes but also actual behaviors and decisions regarding divorce. Using the Comparison Level for Alternatives model, the results of the analysis are reported, and a …

Impact Of Social Media On Family Relations In The Arab Gulf Region, Radhi H. Al-Mabuk, Abdullah F. Alrebh

Faculty Publications

Social media use especially among children and adolescents has become a topic of concern in the Gulf region especially for parents. This chapter addresses the issue of social media use and its impact on family relations, and is comprised of six parts: (1) place of social media in sociology; (2) prevalence of social media in the Gulf region with an emphasis on how much use, nature of use and motivation for use; (3) positive and detrimental consequences of social media use; (4) impact of social media use, especially problematic social media, on family relations; (5) parents’ role in guiding their …

Lifelong Learning & Student Success: Textbook Access At Uni / Innovation & Technology, Anne Marie Guber, Caran Howard

UNI Professional Development Conference

Did a student ever confide in you that they couldn't afford their textbooks? Or seem confused about a textbook charge on their U-bill? Would it be nice to improve accessibility of course materials for all students? Are you a lifelong learner yourself? The campuswide Textbook Equity initiative addresses all these needs, and it has saved our students more than $3 million to date! Participants in this session will be able to: Recognize basics about the campus wide initiative to ensure equitable access to course materials, advocate for affordable and accessible course materials available to all, find materials that help them …

The Role Of Civic Education On The Types And Causes Of Bullying In School, Besim Gollopeni, Ferdi Kamberi, William R. Henninger

Faculty Publications

Educational institutions have a responsibility to create a safe and peaceful environment, where the emotional and social well-being of students is promoted. In such an environment, students are encouraged to engage with pleasure in the learning process to develop their knowledge but also to interact constructively with their peers, strengthening their social skills and sense of belonging to the community. Such an environment is being challenged by the spread of the phenomenon of bullying, which creates deep concerns among students, parents, schools and the community. This study aims to investigate the types, causes and effects that lead to the occurrence …

006. Bohumil Shimek (1904-05) [Biography]

Presidents of the Iowa Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

007. Herbert Osborn (1887-88) [Biography]

Presidents of the Iowa Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

008. Charles Edwin Bessey (1875-84) [Biography], Iowa Academy Of Science.

Presidents of the Iowa Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

“Let Me Be A Bridge”: Language Brokering Among Emerging Adult Latina Professionals In The Midwest, Elise M. Dubord

Faculty Publications

In immigrant families, bilingual children and adolescents regularly act as translators and interpreters for family and community members who are not fluent in the dominant language. These childhood language brokers later shift the focus of their translation activities as they transition into adulthood and develop professional skills. This research explores narratives of language brokering trajectories of three bilingual Latinas who were emerging adult professionals in three cities in Iowa. Based on a series of interviews collected over a 15 month period, this analysis examines how participants described realigning their family language responsibilities while simultaneously transferring their language brokering skills to …

Appendices A & B: Supporting Faculty Parents In Professional Development: Case Studies, Recommendations, And A Call For Inclusive Approaches, Anne Marie Gruber, Lindsay Doukopoulos

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Camouflaging Depression, Seth Brown

Faculty Publications

Many individuals with depression have been observed to exert effort to appear non-depressed. This effort, referred to as camouflaging, has been systematically studied among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but not among individuals with more common disorders such as depression. The purpose of this research was to examine camouflaging amongst individuals with depression and develop a camouflaging instrument specifically for depression. The Camouflaging Depression Scale (CDS) was developed and administered to 292 individuals experiencing varying levels of depression along with other clinical measures. In this sample, engagement in camouflaging was common and similarly occurred among …

Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet, April 30, 2025 [Program], University Of Northern Iowa. Undergraduate Studies Program.

Graduation with Distinction Posters

The program for the 2024 Peer Educator Recognition & Awards Banquet held on April 30, 2025.

Silent Deaths: Breast Cancer Disparities For Black Women In Iowa, Brenda Koumondji

Mary Ann Bolton Undergraduate Research Award

Black women in Iowa face striking disparities in many health outcomes, particularly breast cancer, rooted in systemic inequalities that limit healthcare access, quality care, early detection, and culturally competent care. While cancer rates in Iowa are highest among the White population, data reveal that Black Iowans experience a disproportionately higher cancer burden. This paper investigates the specific challenges these women face in navigating breast cancer in Iowa through a mixed-methods approach that combines public health data with qualitative insights from community advocates. Overall analysis is grounded in three core observations: (1) barriers to equitable healthcare access, particularly in urban and …

The Success Of Peer Education [Poster], Kaylee Van Pelt

Graduation with Distinction Posters

No abstract provided.

Efficacy Of Spanish Audio-Supported Second Language Vocabulary Learning In A Single Case Study, Destiny M. Jones

Honors Program Theses

This study examines the effectiveness of an intervention utilizing audio-supports for bilingual vocabulary learning. Method: Nine target vocabulary words from English story books were selected, which were then pre-recorded in Spanish (L2) as audio files to be used during readings in the home language (L1). This single case study examined the feasibility of audio support in early bilingual vocabulary learning by examining previous literature, and data collected on the gain in vocabulary learning at intervention post-test. Results: It was found that L2 audio support in an L1 reading context can provide an environment for vocabulary gain. It supplied numerous exposures …

‘I Feel Like The Most Important Thing Is To Ensure That Women Feel Included…’: Immigrant Women’S Experiences Of Integration And Gender Equality In Iceland During Times Of Crisis, Marya Rozanova-Smith, Embla Eir Oddsdóttir, Andrey N. Petrov

Faculty Publications

Enabling gender equality by empowering women to fully engage in modern society is fundamental for building resilient and sustainable communities. While Iceland is recognized as a global leader in gender equality, the experiences of various immigrant groups can differ considerably, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery. Given the rapid increase in the immigrant population in Iceland, it is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the processes surrounding immigrant women’s integration strategies, with an emphasis on gender equality through the lens of intersectionality. The main objective of this qualitative study is to explore the gendered impacts …

“I Think Even In Challenging Times We Can Still Be Uplifting”: Indigenous Women’S Experiences Of Resilience To The Covid-19 Pandemic In Alaska, Marya Rozanova-Smith, Charlene Apok, Andrey N. Petrov

Faculty Publications

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alaska communities faced an extremely challenging situation given their socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic characteristics, as well as issues related to remoteness and colonial legacy. This paper seeks to advance the understanding of the gendered impacts and implications of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous women in Alaskan urban and rural communities through a resilience lens. The paper addresses two primary research questions: (1) What are the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous women in urban and rural Alaska, and specifically what are the gendered implications in the personal, sociocultural, and economic domains? (2) What …

Urban Heat Mapping Strategies For Predicting Near-Surface Air Temperature In Unsampled Cities In Iowa, Mark D. Ecker, John P. Degroote, Clemir A. Coproski, Bingqing Liang, John Darko, James T. Dietrich

Faculty Publications

Elevated urban temperatures are a significant concern across the globe due to their negative health effects and increased energy use. Understanding the spatial variation in urban air temperatures can lead to informed mitigation and planning efforts. Air temperatures for multiple urban areas in the state of Iowa, USA, at three times of the day, were collected using customized sensors mounted on vehicles driven through a variety of landscapes in each urban area. Geographic information systems technology was used to process high-resolution landscape datasets and derive variables that summarize the urban landscape surrounding each temperature measurement point. Five different statistical models: …

Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders [Program, 2025], Iowa Conference On Communicative Disorders

Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders Programs

The Iowa Conference on Communicative Disorders provides continuing education activities in speech- language pathology that are acceptable to the State of Iowa and the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Areas of emphasis include adults and pediatrics.

23. Debate Team Back In The Spotlight [Article, April 9, 2025]

LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

Citation: Westendorf, J. (2025, April 9). Debate Team back in the spotlight: UNI Debate returns to nationals for the first time in nine years. Northern Iowan, 7.

Description: Article from the Northern Iowan about the UNI debate team going to The National Debate Tournament for the first time in eight years. Kat Van Buren, Captain of the UNI Debate Team, argues for trans/queer rights within Debate while also strategizing for ways in which to do the same outside of debate.

Understanding Dementia Friendly Features Of Public Bathrooms: Dementia-Friendly Bathroom Design Explored + Checklist, Sarah Stegge, Elsie Aslesen, Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi, Denell Henninger, Janice Blevins

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Our Study Objectives:

• Identifying Dementia-Friendly Public Restrooms Elements
• Creating a Checklist of Features

Prison Environment And Conditions Affect Recidivism Rates — Norway And South Africa, Hayes Breitbach, Abby Horstmann, Gus Beirman

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Harsh prison conditions and lack of rehabilitation and reintegration programs in South African prisons reflect the high recidivism rates in the country. South African prisoners are subject to inhumane conditions such as overcrowding and health concerns, violations of human rights, and are stripped of their dignity. Paired with social stigma against those who have been incarcerated, these inhumane conditions lead to poor reintegration and higher recidivism rates. This research project advocates for prison reform focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and improved facility conditions. There are multiple examples of competent and humane prisons in the world, such as Norway’s correctional institutions, which …

A Modern Community Men’S Shed, Carly Bendull, Melinda Heinz

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The inception of the Men’s Sheds Movement began in Australia to bring men together who were socially isolated. At sheds, men converse with each other, make new friends, and engage in activities together. Further iterations of sheds around the world have also been created, including Community Sheds and Women’s Sheds. In the U.S., the Men’s Sheds Movement began in 2016. However, sheds have not been studied as extensively in the U.S. and this paper adds to the literature by further investigating gender, expectations, age, motivation, and participation in a Community Shed located in the Southern part of the U.S. Results …

Re-Framing The Master Narratives Of Learning Dis/Abilities Through An Emotion And Intersectional Lens, David I. Hernández-Saca

Faculty Publications

In this conceptual framework paper, I critically chronicle the historiography, policy, and scientific literatures of learning disabilities (ld) and provide a conceptual framework for reframing these as master narratives. I defined master narratives as the pre-existent sociocultural forms of interpretation. I interrogated the a) cultural-historical; b) the federal definition of ld within idea, c) the educational-professional academic and focused on, the d) social and emotional literature of ld. The master narratives from these literatures included: a) ld as a boy who struggles with reading, ld as a symbolic complex, and the legacy of the term "feebleminded", d) assumptions about learning, …

The Role Of Capital On Literacy And Second Language Acquisition: A Cross-National Comparative Study, Brenda Koumondji

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Key Context:

• Globalization has increased the demand for multilingual skills.
• Yet, language learning opportunities vary based on national education policies and socioeconomic factors.
• Language learning opportunities are shaped by social structures and vary based on economic,social, and cultural capital (ESC) (Bourdieu, 1986).

Second Language Benefits

• Economic (Brown & Lauder, 1991; Foreman-Peck & Wang, 2014)
• Cognitive and Psychological (Bialystok, 2011; Dewaele & Wei, 2012; Graham, 2017)
• Social and Cultural (Marboua et al., 2024)

Research Focus:

• Cross-national comparison of South Korea, Norway, Chile, and the U.S.

Relationship Satisfaction As A Mediator Between Attachment And Quality Of Life, Emma Elsbecker, Dilbur D. Arsiwalla

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The goal of this study was to examine whether relationship satisfaction mediated the association between attachment and quality of life. The study included 314 participants who reported on visual imagery, emotional regulation, and relationship satisfaction. Our original hypothesis was supported using the attachment scales, which yielded all significant mediations in the anxiety, closeness, dependence, and avoidance categories. However, further research is needed to better understand the rationale behind why better attachment styles increase quality of life as well as examining relationship satisfaction as a mediator between attachment and quality of life.

Mtbi Literature Review: Devices, Protocol And Nutritional Health, Nicholas Huinker, Sarah Stegge, Elaine M. Eshbaugh

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The purpose of our research is to evaluate devices, protocol, and nutritional habits to decrease the likelihood of sustaining concussions and reduce the severity of symptoms associated with sustained concussions. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) can cause issues in longterm development for millions of youth athletes participating in American football. An accumulation of mTBI can lead to future conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

The Influence Of Field Experiences On English Language Teachers' Preparedness: An Analysis Of Teacher Education In Nigeria, Bushroh O. Animashaun

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Brief Context:

• Definition of key terms: teacher education, field experiences.
• Importance of teacher education in language education
• Challenges in the Nigerian education system
• Why focus on teacher education?

The Moderating Role Of Aphantasia In The Link Between Emotion Regulation And Relationship Satisfaction, Brock Borchardt, Dilbur D. Arsiwalla

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The goal of this study was to examine if poor visual imagery (i.e., aphantasia) moderated the link between emotional regulation and relationship satisfaction. We had 314 participants report on a survey about visual imagery, emotional regulation, and relationship satisfaction. Our original hypothesis was supported using the overall emotion regulation scale as well as five of the six different subscales of emotion regulation. However, further research is needed to better understand the rationale behind why aphantasia moderates this relationship.

Family Caregiver Emotions In Dementia Simulation Education, Sarah Stegge, Elaine M. Eshbaugh

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

We researched caregiver emotions during the simulation experience at the Dementia Simulation House.

Our research question was: How do the emotions of family caregivers differ from the emotions of non-caregivers during the simulation?

We predicted that caregivers will experience emotions more strongly than other participants. Family caregivers may have a deep emotional bond with their loved ones who have dementia. This personal connection may amplify their emotional responses during simulations, as they may vividly recall their own caregiving experiences.

There is a dearth of research on dementia simulation education for family caregivers (Hirt & Beer, 2020). A majority of research …