Digital Commons Network^™

This Is Theatre: Deconstructed Repetition And Theatre-In-Education During Covid-19, Subbah Mir

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This project report is a practical application of deconstructed repetition model, I devised by merging Augusto Boal and Baz Kershaw, in an undergraduate Composition Writing class in Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, U.S. As the facilitator Deconstructed repetition means cost-effective repetition of personal and local stories for introspection in order to engage the community members, address the oppression, and celebrate the local culture. The four stipulations of the models are: avoiding the Western canon (or hegemonic voice), making the audience(s) see direct and indirect oppression, circumventing commodification while maintaining audience interest, and celebrating local culture instead of downright criticizing it. …

What's So Funny About Theatre Of The Oppressed?, Jennifer Schaupp

Spect-actor: A Journal of Pedagogy & Theatre of the Oppressed

This article examines my 2023 Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference virtual workshop within the framework of comedy and embodiment. It considers the activities I facilitated and their origins along with my perception of participant reaction for other educators and facilitators to adapt for their own educational experiences.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, June 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Stormwater compliance in Iowa: What your facility needs to know
--- Rural Midwestern Communities Announced for Compost Training Program
--- IGBC program recognized with Innovation Award
--- Introducing Bilal Baig, our new office intern
--- Free Assistance Available
--- Industry News

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 …

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 …

Commencement [Program], May 16-17, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

Contents:

Board of Regents --- 2
Institutional Leadership --- 2
Ceremony Symbols & Traditions --- 3
Academic Honorary Organizations --- 4
University Ambassador Organizations --- 5
University Honors Program --- 6
Graduation with Honors --- 6
Legacy Graduates --- 6
Military Science --- 7
Merchant Scholarship --- 7
Outstanding Student Leader --- 7
Commencement Student Speakers --- 7
Purple and Old Gold Awards --- 8
Lux Service Award --- 9
7 p.m. Program --- 10
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences --- 11
Division of Online Education & Individual Studies --- 24
10 a.m. Program --- 27
College of Education …

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 …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, May 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Meet the Environmental Assistance Program Staff
--- IWRC Director Joe Bolick joins ISOSWO Board of Directors
--- Keeping Tabs on PFAS
--- IGBC Brewery wins gold
--- Farewell to Paige
--- Compost Operator Renewal Training
--- Industry News

A High Resolution Photographic Guide For Identifying Fiddler Crabs From The Shores Of The Atlantic Ocean, Abby Hutchins

Undergraduate Student Work

This project created a comprehensive, high-resolution photographic guide for identifying the 23-known species of fiddler crabs inhabiting the coastal regions of Europe, East Africa, North America, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. The primary objective is to produce clear, detailed images that highlight key morphological features necessary for accurate species identification. These images will serve as an accessible reference for educators, students, and scientists involved in biodiversity studies, ecological monitoring, and conservation efforts. It will be available to the general public world-wide, at the ScholarWorks web page by the University of Northern Iowa’s Rod Library, https://scholarworks.uni.edu/fiddlercrabs/ By …

‘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.

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 …

Women’S Rights Across Borders: Challenges And Progress In Afghanistan, India And The United States, Zita Mpinganzima, Taylor Romer, Gracie Richter, Sydney Hersom

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The Violation of women's rights remains a significant issue worldwide, with women facing challenges with access to opportunities, inequality to their male counterparts, negative social norms, and lack of legal protections. According to the World Bank 2.4 billion women do not have the same economic rights as men, women still have only three-quarters of the legal rights afforded to men and one in three women globally has experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence. In countries such as Afghanistan, India, and the United States, women face severe restrictions under Taliban rule, gender discrimination, wage gap, gender discrimination, violence, and efficient …

The Importance Of Domestic Violence Reform In First World Countries, Morgan Klein, Stephanie Hines Meyers, Jasmyne Sauceda, Ark Van Donslear

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Globally, 1 in every 3 women has experienced intimate partner violence (IPV), and the impact of this prevalent issue extends beyond the boundaries of developed and underdeveloped nations. In the United States, 22% of women have endured IPV, while in New Zealand, this figure stands at 24%. Despite the availability of national resources, frameworks adopted by developed countries are presumed to provide effective interventions through their judicial systems and policies. However, judicial injustices frequently allow perpetrators to persist in their violent behaviors without facing substantial consequences. Measures such as restraining orders or no-contact orders often fail to deter offenders effectively. …

Food Insecurity In The Philippines, Hannah Dennis, Kassidy Lake, Esther Van Horn

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Overconsumption and food waste in the United States have a major impact on food insecurity globally, including in the Philippines, due to the dependency of food production from these countries. The Philippines is a country currently devastated by food insecurity, leading to malnutrition and poverty because individuals are unable to meet their basic nutritional and economic needs. Currently, 44.7% of the population in the Philippines faces moderate to severe food insecurity, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the …

Friendship With Violence: The Boffer Larping Community, Cassandra Ralston

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

What is boffer LARPing?

• Live Action Role Play
• Boffer is a term used for foam weapons
• Subsets within community
• Studied active fighters

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.

My Internship: Uni Museum, Sydney Blum

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

In the process of this internship, I think I have learned a lot of things with conservation, but the biggest thing that this internship changed is my attitude toward objects. I am significantly more comfortable with historical objects now than when I started. I am now comfortable holding and handling objects without being overly cautious and paranoid.

Ai In Academia: Supportive Ally Or Cheating Accomplice?, Ian Offner

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

• The purpose of this study was to investigate student attitudes toward the use of AI for college class work in a variety of domains.
• For some situations, the use of the AI was collaborative. The students would have to utilize their own abilities in conjunction with the AI as a co-intelligence. For some situations, the AI was a dominant agent, requiring little input from the students.

Trace Evidence Vs Memory Evidence: Comparing Evidence Collection Tools, Faith Nielsen, M. Kimberly Maclin

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Memory evidence and forensic evidence are both residual traces of an event. While traditional trace evidence (hair, fiber, blood, fingerprints, etc.) is left behind by a perpetrator, memory evidence resides in a person’s mind, usually that of a victim or witness. Both types of evidence have the possibility of contamination; given that memory evidence cannot be bagged and tagged like other types of forensic evidence, it is especially susceptible to contamination which can undercut its ultimate reliability. In court, jurors often have trouble conceptualizing the complexity of memory or even thinking about it as evidence at all. Drawing similarities between …

Inspire Student Research & Engagement Conference [Program] April 7-8, 2025, University Of Northern Iowa

INSPIRE Student Research & Engagement Conference Programs

A program for the INSPIRE conference where undergraduate and graduate students present their research, internship, volunteer and study abroad experiences, club activities and creative performances.