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Socio-Legal Enquiry On A Global Scale: Legal Intermediation, The Geography Of Extraction, And The (Re)Negotiation Of Africa’S Relationship With The World Economy, Sara Dezalay

Socio-Legal Review

This paper asks: what does socio-legal enquiry tell us about one of the most pressing problems of our time— climate change? Can (and should) socio-legal enquiry provide a meaningful critique of the so-called green transition? Law’s ubiquity in the ongoing phase of capitalism—from the predominance of private contracts in the regulation of relations between states and transnational corporations to the formidable growth of transnational dispute settlement mechanisms since the turn of the 1990s raises a challenge for socio-legal enquiry. Where do we put the cursor of law’s empowering potential as opposed to its enabling role in reproducing patterns of inequality …

Postscript, Kalyani Ramnath

Socio-Legal Review

As the earliest Editor’s Notes for the Socio-Legal Review (‘SLR’ or ‘Review’) recorded, SLR was established in 2005 with the help of a publication grant from the UK-based Modern Law Review (‘MLR’), and the support of Professors Tim Murphy and later Martin Loughlin of the London School of Economics. A chance encounter that some students had with Professor Tim Murphy, at the time the General Editor for MLR and founding Editorial Board member for the UK-based journal Law and Critique, at an academic conference at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (‘NLSIU’) led to active discussions around what …

Community Scientist Program Provides Bi-Directional Communication And Co-Learning Between Researchers And Community Members, Jessica Alvarado, Larkin L Strong, Birnur Buzcu-Guven, Leonetta B Thompson, Erica Cantu, Chelsea C Carrier, Chiamaka D Chukwu, Cassandra L Harris, Luz K Melendez, Crystal L Roberson, Angela M Ross, Sophia C Russell, Pablo Sanchez, Amirali Tahanan, Blair C Zdenek, Belinda M Reininger, Lorna H Mcneill

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Community involvement in research is key to translating science into practice, and new approaches to engaging community members in research design and implementation are needed. The Community Scientist Program, established at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston in 2018 and expanded to two other Texas institutions in 2021, provides researchers with rapid feedback from community members on study feasibility and design, cultural appropriateness, participant recruitment, and research implementation. This paper aims to describe the Community Scientist Program and assess Community Scientists' and researchers' satisfaction with the program. We present the analysis of the data collected from 116 Community Scientists …

Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure In Homes And Vehicles In Youth: Disparities Among Racial, And Sexual And Gender Minorities, Rajesh Talluri, Sahil S Shete, Surendra S Shastri, Sanjay Shete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) among youth is a serious public health concern, leading to an increased risk of conditions such as asthma and respiratory infections. However, there is little research on SHSe among vulnerable populations, such as racial and sexual minorities. Understanding the factors associated with youth SHSe in homes and vehicles is crucial to developing better protective policies.

METHODS: This study utilized 2020 data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a representative sample of middle- and high-school students in the US. The primary outcomes were youth SHSe at home and while riding in a vehicle. Multinomial regression models …

Tiny Houses (Revisited): Geography Of Tiny House Villages For The Homeless In The United States, Yetimoni Kpeebi

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The increasing adoption of tiny house villages as a solution to homelessness in the United States (US) underscores the need for comprehensive tracking and documentation of their locations, physical attributes, and social characteristics. This is vital to assess their effectiveness, providing advocates and policymakers with the information needed to optimize outcomes, and ensure these initiatives truly benefit the homeless population. While initial efforts were made in 2019 to establish a database for these villages (Evans, 2020), this study represents an improvement by presenting an updated database that reflects the growing popularity of tiny house villages for the homeless. Building upon …

Ricardo G. Abad: The Curtain Comes Down, Jonathan O. Chua

Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia

No abstract provided.

Mapping In/Exclusion: Queer Identity In Oxford, Mississippi, Julia Kraus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis employs a mixed methods approach to investigate LGBTQ communities in Oxford, Mississippi, within the unique context of the Bible Belt panopticon. Through an examination of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford (UUCO) and Oxford Pride, the study delves into the themes of visibility and surveillance, resistance and subversion, community and identity, and institutional interactions and impacts. The research is grounded in seven original interviews with UUCO members, providing nuanced insights into the functioning of LGBTQ communities within a conservative environment. Additionally, the creation of a podcast episode titled “Queering Oxford: the Long Path to Pride” offers an innovative …

Montesquieu: The Nature Of L’Esprit Des Lois, Christian Jax Murray

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

When Baron de Montesquieu received a copy of his L’Esprit des lois, he was horrified by the total removal and reorganization of critical parts of his text, changed ideas, and an abnormal amount of printing errors in his work. While he saw these issues hindering the reception of his work, this thesis argues that the chaos of the text, in both its style and publication, made the book more popular instead of hindering it. Montesquieu, his editor, and his publisher constructed a new kind of text that was broad in its subject matter and ambiguous in its meaning where its …

Moderation In Online Incel Forums: A Comparison Of Warning Behaviors, Katherine Elizabeth Norris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Incels constitute an online community characterized by shared negative perspectives concerning masculinity, women, and societal norms. Platforms such as Twitter and Reddit have implemented content moderation measures aimed at curtailing the dissemination of incels' ideologies, which often promote violence and suicidal ideation. To observe the influence of content moderation on incel discourse, this study examined posts from two distinct incel forums: one subject to moderation and another without such restrictions. Employing thematic analysis, common themes within the posts were identified, and the occurrence of negative language was quantitatively assessed. Findings revealed that the moderated forum exhibited a higher prevalence of …

North Ms Foodrx Farm-To-Farmacy: A Home Delivery Local Food Prescription Model, Cameron De'cal Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This portfolio presents a comprehensive overview of my contributions and involvement in the Farm-to-Farmacy (FTF) program model. Farm-to-Farmacy is an extension of the FoodRx program which aims to address food insecurity in rural parts of North Mississippi. This program was inspired by the 2019 FoodRx program in the Mississippi Delta that assisted in delivering fresh produce to the doorsteps of the elderly and homebound. Farm-to-Farmacy incorporates a unique approach by soliciting the support of local farmers which assists in sustainability for a program of this stature but also supports community engagement and involvement. The Farm-to-Farmacy program relies on local farmers …

Advancing Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: A Graduate Portfolio On Lebonheur Children's Hospital Initiatives, James Lee Hawkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In every facet of life, diversity finds a way to play a role. By advocating for, acknowledging, and drawing attention to the disparities that emerge within the various spaces people may encounter, we consciously strive to bridge the gap, aiming for a future that is more equitable and inclusive. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have not only become personal moral imperatives but also essential pillars at the forefront for companies, healthcare, educational institutions, and businesses alike.

Evolving To Abstraction - Seclusion Of Efik And Ibibio Women From The Precolonial Era To The Present, Itunuoluwa Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Female seclusion was an important cultural practice to the Efik and Ibibio peoples in southernmost Nigeria. Before the advent of Western education in the precolonial and colonial eras, it was particularly essential to the development of the girl child as she received a first-rate education and preparation for maturity, marriage, and motherhood. However, despite its crucial role in both cultural societies, studies on the Efik and Ibibio female seclusion cultures are far and in-between. Furthermore, the nkuho and mbopo – as they are called in Efik and Ibibio respectively – are often analyzed and presented as one singular entity, in …

Understanding And Adressing Elder Abuse In Contemporary Society, Olivia Nash

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this paper is to spread awareness of what Elder Abuse is. Although we have all heard of it, do we truly know what it is. This piece explains what elder abuse is, focusing on the different types of abuse, why it is a growing problem today, and what we can look for to prevent these issues.

“Breathe Easy And Get A Good Night Sleep” : Exploring Parental Relationships In Hardship, Megan Delaney

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores parental relationships with a focus on mother-daughter relationships. I want to focus on the attachment between a parent and a child, and how mental illness and abuse from the other parent affect that relationship. This project derives from a deep love for my mother and the changes between us that I noticed as I grew older. I hope to create a choreographed work that explores our relationship with a hope of creating a stronger bond that suits our new relationship and who we are as people now. I want this dance to aid in our reconnection.

I …

Social Determinants Of Health: Evaluation Using Rates Of Vision Screening And Follow-Up Examinations, Madeline Dyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Vision care is essential to the quality of life of young children, impacting them over the course of their lives. Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) affect the likelihood of a child having access to appropriate care specified by the Bright Futures. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of SDOH on the completion of vision screening and the rate of follow-up with an eye care provider when applicable. In addition, rates of instrument-based vision screening and recommended ophthalmology follow-up were compared with COI, a metric assessing the quality of resources available and the conditions that matter for …

The Ethics Of Involuntary Intervention, Landyn Tipton

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This is a deep ethical analysis of the act of non-consensual intervention that discusses the distinction between voluntary and involuntary intervention and explains when it would be considered appropriate and inappropriate to intervene in someone else's life. This paper presents an argument for the right to autonomy, including specific scenarios like consensual types of intervention (psychological therapy), religious intervention (specifically involving LGBTQ conversion therapy), and situations where the person is potentially harming themselves or others. There will also be an interpretation of autonomy and the claim to authority through the lens of Utilitarianism and Kantian ethics.

Morality Vs. Mortality: The Ethics Of Physician-Assisted Death In The United States, Ashley Price

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

According to the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, physician-assisted death is defined as a physician providing, at the patient’s request, a prescription for a lethal dose of medication that the patient can self-administer by ingestion, with the explicit intention of ending life. This paper will examine the different perspectives on the prevalent issue revolving around the ethics and criminality of physician-assisted death and euthanasia in the medical field – a heavily debated topic since the concept was conceived. It will explore the history and controversy revolving around the practice using ethical, faith-based, and scientific perspectives relating respectively to …

Exploring The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Suicidality In College And University Students: A Systematic Review, Tatyana Aposhian

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and suicidality are highly prevalent and increasing social problems among the college and university student population, thereby underscoring a need to better understand the relationship between ACEs and suicidal risk, ideation, and attempts during college. There is also a need to examine current suicide prevention and intervention programs for the extent to which they are ACE- and/or trauma-informed. The purpose of this quantitative systematic review with narrative synthesis is to elucidate findings regarding the relationship between ACEs and suicidality in undergraduate and graduate students across the globe and provide recommendations for future ACE-informed suicide prevention and …

My Secret Struggle: Starving, Purging, And Numbing My Emotions. An Autoethnographic Analysis Of My Lifelong Battle With Anxiety, Depression, And Eating Disorders, Hasmek G. Siwajian

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent females and young adult women between the ages of 12 and 25 are at a higher risk of engaging in self-destructive and life-threatening behaviors linked to anxiety, depression, and eating disorders when they do not have access to suitable treatment options or coping mechanisms (Garcia et al., 2020). This study highlights the heightened vulnerability of adolescent females and young adult women aged 12 to 25 who engage in self-destructive behaviors associated with anxiety, depression, and eating disorders when adequate treatment options or coping mechanisms are lacking. Through an autoethnographic approach, the researcher delves into her daily struggles and breakthroughs …

Understanding Resilience With Chinese Emerging Adults Who Had Early Relational Trauma: An Integrative Systematic Review, Yuen Wu

Theses and Dissertations

This integrative systematic review aimed to enhance understanding of resilience among Chinese emerging adults with early relational trauma by synthesizing available information on how culture is incorporated into the conceptualization, measurement, and interpretation of resilience in the current body of literature. By utilizing a qualitative content analysis approach, the researcher identified main ways in which resilience was conceptualized, assessment tools used to assess, and culturally-specific elements in conceptualizing and understanding resilience. Analysis results indicated the static way of conceptualization was most common among other ways of conceptualizing. Results also revealed that the majority of literature incorporated culture in their conceptualizations …

Voluntary Employee Turnover And The Engagement Perception Of Responsibility, Troy Duerr

Theses and Dissertations

This research project investigates voluntary employee turnover and perceptions of engagement responsibility within organizations. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US workforce experienced significant pressures. Through qualitative research with semi-structured interviews of 15 professionals, key themes influencing engagement and disengagement were identified. These themes include leadership, recognition, role autonomy, team collaboration, unmet career promises, and poor communication. Participants represented various industries, from Fortune 10 companies to family-owned businesses, and held roles from individual contributors to divisional leaders. This research offers both theoretical advancements and practical solutions, emphasizing the necessity of shared responsibility between employees and organizations in managing …

Organization Change Processes In U.S. Protestant Churches: A Comparative Case Study Analysis, Leslie Mulder

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores organization change processes in three U.S. Protestant churches through a comparative case study analysis, emphasizing the role of Religious Institutional Entrepreneurs (RIEs). The research identifies key factors and conditions contributing to change, focusing on how shifts in collective narratives, generative metaphors, and strategic conversations are associated with transformation. External shocks, strategic partnerships, and adaptive leadership emerged as crucial elements in fostering change. Challenges such as emotional impacts of conflict, structural alignment and urgency-based decisions were also noted. The study highlights the balance between innovation and tradition, the importance of inclusive and reflective community engagement, and the optimization …

The Sacred And The Secular: The Impact Of Gender And Religiosity On Leadership, Carol Lusk

Theses and Dissertations

Despite strides, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, a disparity that invites a deeper understanding of underlying factors, including the unexamined influence of religiosity. An explanatory sequential mixed methodological approach revealed unique insights. Among a nationally representative sample of men and women (n = 1150), the quantitative analysis suggested that religiosity contributed to the leadership journey for men, but the relationships were more complex for women. Religious women of all ages were more motivated to lead than non-religious women. However, once age was considered, non-religious women attained higher leadership positions than religious women. The qualitative phase, consisting of 12 interviews …

The Strong Black Woman Schema, Wellness Outcomes, And Mental Health Interventions: An Integrative Systematic Review, Breanna Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Black women have a unique sociocultural and historical context that impacts their health. Research indicates that the Strong Black Woman schema (SBWS) can serve as a coping strategy for the specific array of stressors faced by Black women. The primary aim of this integrative systematic review was to explore the associations between Strong Black Woman schema and wellness/health outcomes, and to review the available or emerging SBWS-related interventions targeting wellness and mental health for Black women. This review posed the questions: (1) What health/wellness outcomes have been identified or hypothesized to be related to the SBWS? (2) What relationships between …

Racialized Lived Experience And Equitable Decision-Making Among Philanthropic Leaders: A Narrative Inquiry, Janae Asali Oliver

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the influence of racialized lived experiences (RLEs) on equitable decision-making among philanthropic leaders, employing a narrative inquiry approach. It examined how diversity within philanthropy, beyond tokenistic representation, can introduce a wide range of perspectives that enhance equitable decision-making processes. The study emphasized the significance of RLEs in philanthropic leadership and decision-making, despite potential institutional constraints on grant processes. Twenty philanthropic leaders from various backgrounds, including private and family foundations, community foundations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, participated in the study. Utilizing a critical race conceptual and theoretical framework, the researcher analyzed philanthropic leader’s narratives of race, …

Heat Shields And Friendship Bracelets: Features That Enable Effective Employee Resource Groups, Kevin Sakamoto

Theses and Dissertations

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a potentially powerful means of addressing inequalities and improving working conditions for underrepresented groups in organizations. However, little attention has been given to the motivation of employees who voluntarily donate their time in support of their ERG. The fact that membership in ERGs often coincides with a social identity group (e.g., Asian American) adds a dimension not associated with other non-formal groups (e.g., softball team) within an organization, and may increase the potential for ERGs to achieve valued outcomes. Drawing from academic literature on Social Identity Theory (SIT), employee voice, and activism, this qualitative study …

Spatial Distribution And Significance Of Burdens To Environmental Justice In Parramore, Florida: An Urban Resilience Perspective, Lex Tracton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

In response to climate change, economic instability, and rapid urbanization, the notion of urban resilience has gained prominence in city planning and governance. Urban resilience is the ability of a system to adapt to new baseline conditions developing as a result of disturbances. This study is focused on one of urban resilience’s sub-tenets, ecological resilience. Ecological resilience is the ability of a system to sustain ecosystem services following a disturbance (i.e. droughts, flooding, heat waves). The health of the environment prior to a disturbance informs post-disturbance ecological resilience. An already stressed and unbalanced system, or an ecosystem with degraded health, …

Attitudes And Perceptions Of Mental Health In The Vietnamese Community: A Comprehensive Analysis, Mai Ly Nguyen-Luu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis explores the complex and multifaceted landscape of attitudes and perceptions toward mental health within the Vietnamese community. Mental health issues remain a significant global concern, and understanding how these issues are perceived and addressed within specific cultural contexts is vital for effective mental health promotion and intervention. In the case of the Vietnamese community, the interplay of cultural values, stigmatization, and access to mental healthcare services makes this study particularly relevant.

The research investigates the cultural factors that shape attitudes and perceptions toward mental health in the Vietnamese community, including traditional beliefs, familial roles, and the influence of …

Student Leadership In The Musical Ensemble: A Descriptive Study, Anna Bullock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the nature of student leadership opportunities in middle school, high school, and collegiate ensembles. It comprehensively reviewed existing research and proposed potential avenues for future developments. Through a descriptive inquiry, the investigation aimed to ascertain whether similar outcomes are observed across all facets of music education classrooms, including choir, band, and orchestra. The exploratory nature of this study lends itself to no specific hypotheses; however, the findings may have implications for music education classrooms.

The research questions are structured based on relevant literature to uncover the skills conferred by occupying a student leadership position. Subjects were …

Fostering Inclusive Excellence For Black Women In Undergraduate Computing Sciences At A Predominantly White Institution, Toni Avant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employment projections indicate that the computing sciences field is expected to increase by more than 600,000 jobs from 2020-2030. As society becomes increasingly reliant on technological innovations, the demand continues to rise for qualified graduates in this field. It is essential that employers build a diverse and inclusive workforce in order to accommodate the markets they serve. Yet, the lack of representation of Black women in the computing sciences field is of great concern.