Digital Commons Network^™

Seeing Race & Sexuality: Child Welfare & Forced Labor, Annie Isabel Fukushima, Jens Nilson, Kaden Richards

Arkansas Law Review

This Article examines how child welfare responds to children who are forced to labor through a case study of California. We use an intersectional framework to argue that a conceptualization of current sociolegal responses to human trafficking cannot be delinked from racialized and sexualized forms of governmentality. In using an intersectional framework, we hope to draw upon intersectionality as a way to “point[] to the ways that structural inequality, persistent disadvantages, and structural abandonment are some of the root causes of microlevel violent interactions and at the same time influence how effective macrolevel justice policies are at responding to or …

Elevating Black Fathers' Experiences In The National Fatherhood Initiative: Strengths And Areas For Improvement Of 24/7 Dad® Curriculum And Case Management Services, Laura A. Voith, Katie N. Russell, Ashley Withrow, Tian Xia, Darrell Coleman

Faculty Scholarship

The Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood grant program is one of the most robust mechanisms supporting fatherhood programming in the United States, with the gold standard of care including fatherhood curriculum (e.g., 24/7 Dad®) and case management services. Despite the fact that fatherhood in the United States is not a monolith and Black fathers make up over 40% of those served through Responsible Fatherhood (RF) program, little research explicitly centers the lived experiences of low-income Black fathers. The current study used focus groups with fathers (n = 23) and staff (n = 8) enrolled in a RF grantee program. Thematic …

Exploring The Academic Health Department Model: A Study Of Awareness, Attitudes, And Practices In Kentucky's Local Health Departments​, Jonathan Dunham Vorbeck

Online Theses and Dissertations

Public health involves the organized efforts of society to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote health. These efforts are exemplified through partnerships across various public and private sectors, including academia, which are crucial in addressing complex public health challenges. The concept of an Academic Health Department (AHD) embodies a formal collaboration between academic institutions and public health practice organizations, aiming to integrate public health practice with academic training, research, and service delivery. Despite the documented benefits of the AHD model, there is a knowledge gap regarding local health departments' (LHDs) awareness, attitudes, and practices related to the model, particularly in …

To Resist Or Persist? An Examination Of Interpersonal Relationships Formed In Prison, Kamecia S. Blake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Prison is an important component of the criminal justice system. The structure and functionality of prison is tailored towards incapacitation, rehabilitation, and deterrence, which are goals of punishment. However, prison can have unintended consequences which increase the criminogenic risk of offenders causing inmates to become career criminals. This study examined the role of prison socialization, particularly the influence of interpersonal relationships formed while incarcerated on recidivistic behavior. It is important to investigate interpersonal relationships formed while incarcerated so that prison administrators can better realize its goal to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for reintegration into society. The study was grounded …

High School Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Use Of Achieve3000 As A Literacy Proficiency Intervention, Cameron Ashley Gaines

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem that was addressed through this study was that inconsistency in using a literacy development initiative resulted in no improvement of low literacy scores in April of 2022, as a total of 80.85% of high school students in one learning zone within a Georgia school district scored below literacy proficiency on the Georgia Milestones Assessment System. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine high school teachers’ perceptions of the use of Achieve3000 as a literacy intervention using the conceptual framework of disciplinary literacy. This study's two research questions focused on high school teachers’ perceptions of using Achieve3000 …

The Forgotten American Heroes: A Phenomenological Study, Lynda Burke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study explored the experiences of service providers who work first-hand with homeless veterans in Tennessee. Americans seem to view homeless people as inferior to others without considering the factors that have led these individuals to become homeless. They fail to acknowledge the hardships they face, the daily challenges to their mental health, and the invisible wounds that go unnoticed and are often overlooked. As more men and women have returned to the United States following their service in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other global locations, a significant number of combat veterans are struggling with untreated or unmanaged mental health …

Push And Pull Factors That Influence Law Enforcement Officer Turnover: A Qualitative Case Study, Andrew Hunter Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A high frequency of voluntary turnover within a law enforcement organization is problematic due to the potential for an increase in expenditures, a reduction in public safety levels, and an increase in liability. However, research has indicated explicitly that criminal justice professions have a high turnover rate, with many organizations having an annual turnover rate of 10 percent or higher. Investigating employee turnover rates and potential solutions to increase employee retention are significant areas of focus that can reduce expenditures, maintain or improve public safety levels by keeping experienced employees, and create a better working environment. A high employee turnover …

An Overview Of Environmental Themes In The Video Game Industry, Michael A. Davis

The Geographical Bulletin

Video games of the early 1990s have an appreciable depth of environmental tones that seem prophetic by today’s standards as climate change and environmental degradation have emerged as significant topics of scientific and geographic inquiry. The political and cultural environment of the late 1980s and early 1990s played a significant role in the development of environmentally-minded video games. Since the 20th century, the depiction of these environmental themes have changed with a greater understanding of environmental science literature, have incorporated educational qualities to game play, and have migrated from large video game developers (e.g., Sega and Nintendo) to independent developers …

Facing Up To The Risks Of Automated Facial-Recognition Technologies In Indian Law Enforcement, Ameen Jauhar

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

Within the larger discourse of risk mitigation of emerging technologies, the ever-expanding deployment of automated facial recognition technology (‘AFRT’) has garnered much skepticism. In India too, there has been a reported rise of states and law enforcement officials enthusiastically resorting to the use of AFRT.

The author will first delve into some of the controversial risks associated with AFRT, analysing them through the lens of Article 21 and the principle of due process under the Indian Constitution. The paper will then identify some of the regulatory solutions that are currently part of the discourse on minimising risks of AFRT and …

Looking To The Past And Abroad To Enhance U.S. Presidential Debates, Jacob W. Justice, Talya P. Slaw, John Koch

Studies in Debate and Oratory

Presidential debates are a valuable, but flawed, method of educating voters about policy issues and candidates. Growing dissatisfaction with presidential debates, and polling evidence suggesting they are failing to inform audiences, creates exigence to reconsider the format of future debates. In this essay, we propose modifications to the format of United States presidential debates, in the interest of facilitating greater clash and audience education. To improve U.S. presidential debates, we draw upon two sources of inspiration: the history of U.S. presidential debates and international experiences with political debates. We recommend exploration of new debate formats that include (1) a narrow …

Beyond ‘Choice’: Theorizing Women’S Agency, Gladys B. Esteve

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

I interrogate the notions of “agency” and “choice” in the phenomenon of choice feminism, a popular form of contemporary orientation to feminist politics whose advocates believe that the individual choices women make are inherently feminist and thus politically acceptable. Intuitively, choice feminism seems inspiring and positive by invoking ideals of strong individualism, pluralism, and autonomy; however, critics argue, it neglects the whole myriad of structures mired with sexism and gender inequality in which the subject and her choices are constructed and thus depoliticized. I argue that freedom of choice, while it is an important feminist ideal, is not the sole …

Implicit Bias And Least Restrictive Environment: Perceptions Of Certified Educators, Christen Papallo

Doctor of Education Program Dissertations

This narrative inquiry study explored the lived experiences of Connecticut’s certified educators related to implicit bias and student placement. The theory of intersectionality suggests that implicit bias is present within all individuals (Crenshaw, 2017). Thus, there is a natural propensity for implicit bias, specific to ability, among school personnel. The problem to be addressed is the need for a greater understanding of how the natural existence

of implicit bias among certified educators impacts their view of student capabilities and

achievement, thus impacting placement decisions in the classroom. Eight participants completed individual, semi-structured interviews, which were transcribed, re-storied and member checked. …

Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, Nashville And Davidson County, Tennessee For The Year Ended June 30, 2023, Davidson County (Tenn.). Department Of Finance.

Tennessee County Audit Reports

No abstract provided.

Diversity Representation Of Editorial Boards In School Psychology, Sequoya Anita Fitzpatrick

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

There have been numerous calls in school psychology to evaluate representation across leadership positions in editorial processes. While existing literature provides insights into supporting scholars from marginalized communities in research and publishing, there remains limited study and public awareness of diverse representation on editorial boards in school psychology. To address this gap, three studies in 2023 evaluated major journal boards in the United States. Study 1 analyzed 636 names collected from board websites to estimate the representation of scholars of color, women, and gender minorities. Study 2 surveyed board members to estimate the representation of scholars of color, women, gender …

Criminal Justice Practitioners Perceptions On Collateral Consequence Policies Affecting Formerly Incarcerated African American Males, Ronnie Devon Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Formerly incarcerated African American males have a challenging time transitioning back into the community due to invisible barriers that impede their opportunities for successful reintegration. This generic qualitative study aimed to explore criminal justice practitioners' perceptions regarding collateral consequence policies for formerly incarcerated African American males. The theoretical framework for the study was labeling theory, which explained how others stigmatize individuals due to their social and environmental characteristics. The research question guiding this study was how criminal justice practitioners perceived the impact of collateral consequence policies on the successful reintegration of African American males. Ten criminal justice practitioners including probation …

Adaptation Determinants Of Artificial Intelligence In Small And Medium Enterprises, Sylwia Bąk, Piotr Jedynak, Przemysław Kaczmaryk

European Management Studies

Purpose: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) in their operational and strategic activities. In order to properly prepare for the processes of AI implementation and to plan the path of digital transformation using the tools it supports, enterprises need to be fully aware of the factors that determine a successful implementation of the processes. The aim of this text is to identify the key determinants related to the adaptation of AI tools and technologies in business processes and operations of SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach: In order to establish a catalog of adaptation determinants of artificial intelligence in …

Reconciled To Leisure: The Relationship Between Christianity, Leisure And Restorative Justice, Hannah Janzen, Paul Heintzman

Movement and Being: The Journal of the Christian Society for Kinesiology, Leisure and Sports Studies

This paper seeks to explain the mutually reinforcing relationship between leisure and reconciliation from a Christian perspective. The paper begins by briefly defining the holistic approach to leisure from a Christian perspective, which will be the definition of leisure that is used throughout the paper. Christian teachings on reconciliation will then be outlined, both between the individual and God and between individuals. Restorative justice, the specific example of reconciliation that will be used in this paper, is defined as a process of justice that seeks to repair the harm that was caused through a crime.The paper then describes how leisure …

Eric Lunsford V. Administrator New Jersey State

2024 Decisions

USDC for the District of New Jersey

Sotomayor Cites Maurer Faculty Member In Scotus’ Decline To Hear Alabama Bite Mark Case, James Owsley Boyd

Keep Up With the Latest News from the Law School (blog)

The case of an Alabama man convicted of murdering his wife in 1985 will not be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court, despite evidence that, nearly 40 years later, has been “wholly discredited.”

The Supreme Court denied certiorari in the case of McCrory v. Alabama, but Justice Sonia Sotomayor cited research from Indiana University Maurer School of Law Professor Valena Beety in her concurring agreement with the court’s decision.

Charles M. McCrory was convicted for the murder of his wife, Julie Bonds, based in large part on expert testimony from an odontologist who matched McCrory’s teeth to two bite marks …

Why We Need A Long View Of Abolition To End The School-To-Prison Pipeline, Karen Sotiropoulos

History Faculty Publications

Drawing on experiential, literary and historical narratives, this article connects the long history shaping the school-to-prison-pipeline to the contemporary experiences of Black youth in today’s educational system. It maps abolitionism from its origins as a movement to end slavery through the ongoing Black freedom struggles that have challenged state and vigilante violence throughout the eras of Jim Crow and Civil Rights to today’s efforts to dismantle the prison state. By situating the criminalization of African American education from our nation’s founding until the present with particular focus on the post Brown years, the article stresses how policies that funded policing …

Career Preferences Of Business Students: Traditional Career Path Or Entrepreneurship And Self-Employment?, David W. Whitlock, Ashley J. Hampton, Shanker Menon

Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship

Factors influencing career preferences of business students are explored. This study builds upon an original research project conducted in 1995, which focused on comparing pursuits of entrepreneurship versus more traditional business employment as career paths for business students. In the present study, 40 students enrolled in the senior-level capstone business course and 26 students enrolled in the freshman-level introductory business course in an AACSB accredited business school were administered surveys to determine career preferences and the factors influencing those preferences. The results of the introductory-level course are compared to those of students in the senior-level capstone business course and reported. …

Bodies On The Line: An Analysis Of Incarceration And Assassination And Their Role In Civil Rights Movements, Courtney Mason

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

The history of American civil rights is understood largely through the context of various mass movements. Most famously, the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a remarkable representation of collective action. The success of that movement becomes even more significant when considering the realities of life for Black Americans at the time. In the spirit of those movements, the 2010s and 2020s have brought about modern movements that continue to push against discrimination toward Black Americans and push for progress in the legal system. The movements each were and are met with opposition. This article focuses on …

“Their Futures, So Full Of Dread”: How Barefoot’S Contamination Of The Death Penalty Trial Process Continues, Michael L. Perlin, Talia Harmon, Maren Geiger, Moana Houde-Camirand

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

Forty years ago, in its most roundly-criticized criminal procedure decision in modern history, the Supreme Court of the United States, in Barefoot v. Estelle (463 U.S. 880 (1983))—a decision premised on testimony by the responses to a hypothetical of a witness who had never directly evaluated the defendant—ruled that such testimony as to future dangerousness (testimony that had concluded there was a “100% chance” the defendant would commit more crimes if released into society) was permissible. Over a stinging dissent by Justice Blackmun, the Supreme Court ruled in Barefoot that it was not constitutional error for psychiatrists to testify that …

Stopping The Cycle Of Abuse Before It Starts: An Evaluation Of Virginia’S Domestic Violence Primary Prevention Model In Schools, Amanda Palini

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

In 1994 the United States was faced with a domestic violence epidemic that led Congress to pass the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The Act was passed to respond to the needs of victims, particularly women, who are at the highest risk of victimization in crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault. While domestic violence has been recognized as an important public health problem, most services provided are focused on after-the-fact interventions rather than prevention.

Many states, including Virginia, have since created domestic violence prevention programs, added preventative requirements to their state code, and tasked their respective Departments of …

Agricultural Labor Trafficking In The U.S.: An Exchange Network Analysis, Gary J. Kowaluk

Richmond Public Interest Law Review

Labor trafficking occurs when individuals are forced to work by force, fraud, or coercion. In the United States, agricultural labor trafficking is both widespread and underreported. It is often carried out by farm labor subcontractors, who conduct the labor trafficking on behalf of U.S. companies. Labor trafficking in U.S. agriculture continues year after year, as trafficked immigrant workers fear being further punished if they attempt to redress their workplace grievances. The H-2A visa system is designed to protect workers from labor trafficking abuses, but the system is ineffective and in need of reform. To learn more about agricultural labor trafficking …

‘A Storm Is Coming:' The New York Times Coverage Of The Covid-19 Pandemic In American Prisons, Katarzyna Celinska, Amina Cheboubi

Publications and Research

In this research, we analyzed the content of 171 articles published between March and August 2020 in the New York Times (NYT) on COVID-19 in American correctional institutions. We observed that the NYT coverage decreased significantly over 6 months. Our analysis uncovered 8 themes within two broader frames: institutional and systemic inequity. Although the themes are not mutually exclusive, we argue that ‘Responding to COVID-19,’ ‘A storm is Coming,’ ‘Collective Experience,’ and ‘Critiquing Prison Conditions’ are within the institutional framing. ‘Redefining Public Safety,’ ‘Categorizing Prisoners,’ ‘Doing Injustice,’ and ‘Making it as a Celebrity’ are the themes that highlight systemic inequity, …

The Significance Of "Time' When Finishing Time - A Case Study On Holistic Relationship-Based Approaches To Supporting Re/Integration For Criminal Justice Affected People, Julie Parsons

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This chapter draws on a series of externally funded research projects at an award-winning community-based resettlement charity, LandWorks. The charity makes use of an innovative, holistic, relationship-based theory of change model in its approach to resettlement and since opening in 2013 has offered over 200 six-to-twelve-month placements to people released on temporary licence from the local prison and others referred through probation (collectively called trainees). Following a narrative criminology perspective and thematic analysis of over 120 interview transcripts, from people interviewed during their time on placement and/or following their release into the community since 2015, mostly carried out for the …

Social Media Presence And Innovation In Minority-Owned Small- And Medium-Sized Enterprises, Lionel Alexander Edlam Jr

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Minority-owned (e.g., Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic, and women) small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for a small percentage of U.S. businesses in this sector. In this context, owners and managers of these businesses need to capitalize on social media to increase their marketplace survivability within the first 18 months of operation. The purpose of this quantitative correlation study, which was based on the technology acceptance model and absorptive capacity theory, was to examine whether the number of social media platforms presences predicts social strategy, customer involvement in innovation, and knowledge gained from customers for innovation in the United States. The …

Intersectional Analysis Of Vaccination Inequity Among Individuals With Disabilities In The United States During Covid-19 Pandemic, Philip Ndoki Ndoki

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This study was an investigation of how disability status, types, sociodemographic indicators, and reasons for not receiving vaccinations influenced COVID-19 vaccination rates among individuals with disabilities in the United States. Despite efforts, vaccination disparities persisted, necessitating an understanding of barriers to uptake. Using intersectionality theory and the social determinants of health framework, this study examined the impact of marginalized identities and structural inequalities. Key questions included the association between disability status and vaccination uptake, differences among disability types moderated by sociodemographic factors, and the interaction between disability status and reasons for not vaccinating. Household Pulse Survey data from the US …

Human Centered Approaches And Taxonomies For Explainable Artificial Intelligence, Helen Sheridan, Emma Murphy, Dympna O'Sullivan

Conference papers

Recent interest within the research community related to explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) has led to a profuse amount of literature on the subject. Those who wish to tackle the domain from an HCI focus may be presented with overwhelming material, most of which does not pertain to human aspects of XAI. Taxonomies can serve to categorize a subject into topic areas and distill content into an overview of the field. This late breaking work intends to help those within the HCI community with a focus on XAI to understand relevant aspects of human centered XAI. We also present a taxonomy …