Digital Commons Network^™

Navigating Digital Geographies And Trauma Contexts: Conceptions Of Online Communities And Experiences Among Lgbtq+ People During Covid-19, Rachel M. Schmitz, Jennifer Tabler, Ruby Charak, Gabby Gomez, Reagan E. Cole, Joshua J. Schmitz

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The coronavirus pandemic shaped challenges for marginalized groups. Specifically, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+) people experienced community-building constraints, notably in predominantly rural regions. People are also navigating digital geographies, or online social environments, in novel ways to develop virtual communities in the face of prejudice, discrimination, and potential trauma. Through a minority coping approach, the present study explored LGBTQ+ people’s experiences navigating the dynamics of digital geographies during the pandemic while residing in socially conservative, highly rural physical spaces where they may be exposed to vicarious trauma. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews, data were gathered from 43 LGBTQ+ identifying …

Independent- Mar. 17, 2025, Leslie Lozada

The Independent (1988-present)

No abstract provided.

Fighting Instinct: The Brain, Emotions And Decision-Making In The Water, Jill Nash, Sam Hills

International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education

This conceptual paper explores the complex interplay among the human brain, emotions, and decision-making processes, particularly in aquatic environments. Integrating insights from neuroscience, psychology, and behavioural economics, we investigate how instinctual responses and emotional states influence our decisions during water-related activities. By analysing both biological and psychological factors, the paper aims to illuminate the intricacies of human behaviour in various aquatic settings and highlights significant gaps in the research on emotional decision-making that warrant further investigation. Additionally, the paper suggests interventions, including plausible communication strategies, to mitigate the impact of instinctual responses and improve safety and decision-making efficiency.

Prison Foodways In “Orange Is The New Black”, A. E. Stearns, Morgan Wilson, Mckenzie Richard

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"The current study adds to the literature on prison foodways and media studies by exploring the role of prison food on the show Orange is the New Black (OITNB). Specifically, this project aimed to better understand the nature of televised incarceration experiences through the way in which incarcerated characters interacted with food in the scenes. Through an analysis of 601 food-related scenes in OITNB, findings suggest: 1) food is a vehicle for additional layers of institutional control of captive bodies, 2) food plays myriad non-food roles such as medicine, a transactional medium, a vehicle for contraband, and even sexual pleasure, …

An Exploratory Study On The Practice Of Procedural Justice And Use Of Force In Police-Citizen Encounters, Charles Cunha

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Procedural justice is a philosophy and theory demonstrating that the practice of its four principles improves police-community relations. This means that citizens view law enforcement as a legitimate entity of government. Much controversy has stemmed from alleged unlawful killings of suspects in the past decade. These incidents question whether law enforcement acted legitimately. Since then, scholars have researched training in using the four principles of procedural justice. They have also researched the use of procedural justice in police-citizen encounters. The current research study addresses law enforcement officers’ perspectives on the use of force and the use of the four principles …

“They Are Usually Borderline Homeless”: Exploring The Nexus Of Homelessness, Housing Instability, Successful Reentry, And Long-Term Reintegration, Emily I. Troshynski, Carolyn Willis

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"For previously incarcerated persons, affordable and safe housing options are scarce. Barriers to securing housing include federal mandates (i.e., eligibility requirements) as well as local rules and regulations (i.e., zoning and ordinances). When housing is available, disclosing criminal history on applications impacts individuals’ chances to rent (Philips & Spencer, 2013). A lack of a consistent rental history, no personal and/or employment references, and securing capital to cover security deposits are added challenges. Since parole rules direct ex-convicts not to associate with others that have a criminal record, living with partners, friends, and family members may not be an option. Research …

Perceptions Toward Wrongful Convictions And Needed Reforms In The Criminal Justice System: Does Working Experience In Law Enforcement Matter?, Natalia Ermasova, Aubrey Adams, Lisa Jackson

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"This study proposes to investigate how public views on the wrongful conviction issue are connected with the perceived need for criminal justice reform and whether the professional experience in law enforcement influences these perceptions. This study employs a qualitative research design, deriving its conclusions from the comparative analysis of the survey responses concerning the issue of wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system collected from 45 law enforcement professionals and 35 individuals without such experience. The comparative results reveal that for the respondents without working experience in law enforcement, racial/ethnical bias was one of the most substantial issues of wrongful …

"Nobody Gives A Damn If You Don't Know The Rules": Poverty, Strain, And Crime, Chrystina Y. Hoffman, Dana R. Dillard, Erin King, Angela Blackburn

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"General strain theory posits that individuals commit crimes when they experience negative emotions following various sources of strain. One such source of strain is poverty. In this study, researchers use focus group data and apply a general strain framework to analyze criminal offending during the Missouri Community Action Network's Poverty Simulation© (2022) at a regional comprehensive university in the Southeast region of the United States. A total of 99 undergraduate and graduate students participated in the focus groups at the end of the simulation. Findings support Agnew’s (1992) theory with examples of sources of strain stemming from poverty leading to …

Research Brief: Ghosting In The Realm Of Research: The Realities Of Conducting Social Science Research In The Digital Age, Lena M. Campagna, Angela S. Murolo

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

"Social science research does not occur in a vacuum. Competing for time and attention is the norm in a society that has become more isolated. Because of this, the effects of ghosting are prevalent everywhere. As social scientists, we are not immune to ghosting or its effects. In this research brief, two junior faculty members discuss their efforts to overcome ghosting at every level of the research process and its impact on hiring student workers, knowledge production, and meeting grant funding requirements. Lastly, the authors offer suggestions for overcoming the effects of ghosting and its effect on the challenges of …

Economic Determinism And Its Implications In David Lindsay Abaire’S Good People, Ziead Dhirgham Mahmoud

Alustath Journal for Human and Social Sciences

The research article expounds on a fundamental concern of economy in the human society. David Lindsay-Abaire, a versatile modern writer of the twenty first century, has to his credit the penning of Good People, which has been expediently celebrated in the literary circle as a play that is suffused with aspects of human nature that are simultaneously tender and tough to digest. The themes, on which the internal action of the play rests, range from miscellaneous concerns of race to economy. The latter plays a significant role as the backdrop against which the central figure of Margaret is left suspended …

The Personality Of Lawyers (Walter O. Weyrauch, 1964), Manning J. Dauer

Florida Law Review

No abstract provided.

An Integrated Framework For Food-Energy-Water-Nexus Education And Educational Research, Hannah Scherer, Doug Lombardi

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

Our study centers the perspective of practitioners to define and describe FEW-Nexus-based education, identify and describe challenges with FEW-Nexus-based education, and ideate how education research can generate new knowledge to address these challenges. Using artifacts from FEW-Nexus education workshops and existing literature, we developed an integrated framework that can inform both educational practice and educational research. The framework includes ontological (thoughts about the socio-ecological systems aspects of the FEW-Nexus) and epistemological (thoughts about education and educational research of the FEW-Nexus) dimensions. We will next use this framework to probe more deeply into participants’ responses using thematic content analysis.

Addressing Local Food Insecurity Through A Problem-Based Learning Classroom, Kaley Mumma, Aimable Mugabo

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

Through the frame of Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a curriculum is proposed to engage students in addressing local food insecurity. Students collaboratively define the problem, explore underlying issues, establish goals, design solutions, and implement their chosen solution to address food insecurity within their community. The importance of community engagement and utilizing local resources are highlighted in advising the implementation of this program.

Integrating The Few-Nexus Into An Agricultural Issues Course, Christopher M. Estepp, Hannah Scherer

National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW)

To address the global challenges facing the agricultural industry, graduates of agricultural degree programs must learn to utilize systems thinking skills, which can help them view the interconnectedness among issues and design holistic solutions. The Food-Energy-Water (FEW)-Nexus is an interdisciplinary framework that can support undergraduate student achievement of sustainability education competencies, including systems thinking. This project utilized the FEW-Nexus framework in an agricultural issues course to help students improve their systems thinking. Students were given lectures on various agricultural issues by experts in those areas. Two assignments, agricultural issue concept maps and critical reflections over each speaker’s session were completed …

Doc 2025-02 Neuroscience Co-Major, Full Program Proposal, University Of Dayton. Department Of Biology, College Of Arts & Sciences

Senate Documents

The Department of Biology in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) proposes to establish an innovative Co-Major in Neuroscience program. This Co-Major will comprise a new program offering in the Department of Biology complementing the existing Minor in Neuroscience.

Jill Gatto V. Johnson & Johnson Services Inc

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Welfare In Area Of Rehabilitation In Nigerian Correctional Centers: A Study Of Ikoyi Custodial Center, Ejiroghene Lisa Numa

African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies

The Nigeria Correctional Service is an agency of the criminal justice system (CJS), saddled with the responsibility of safe custody and rehabilitation of persons remanded. This paper examined the welfare and rehabilitation of inmates in Nigeria correctional centers, focusing on the Ikoyi Custodial Center, Lagos state. For rehabilitation to occur, certain conditions must be necessary, including the welfare of inmates in recreational activities and vocational training/skill acquisition. Data was collected using structured questionnaires administered to one hundred and fifty (150) inmates and in-depth interviews. Results from the study showed a significant positive relationship between recreational activities and rehabilitation. It also …

Ob/Gyn Physician Perspectives On Maintenance Of Certification (Moc), Brent Bost

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate physician perspectives of the current maintenance of certification(MOC) activities utilized by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).

Methods: We performed a convergent mixed methods study, using parallel quantitative and qualitative data collected via the internet plus paper surveys of a nationwide sample of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) physicians from November 12 to December 13, 2024. The questionnaire included 23 items about various aspects of maintenance of certification, physician burnout and demographics. Three open-ended questions regarding the pros and cons of MOC and recommendations for improvement were also included.

Results: Of the 5,083 requests sent, …

Improvement Of A Novel Motorized Quinoa Washer For Single-Family Farmers, Brooklyn Olson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Quinoa is an important crop in the Andean region of South America and is often grown by single family farmers. Before eating, quinoa must be washed to remove its saponin coating. The BYU GEO team has developed a quinoa washer to aid these farmers in washing their quinoa. This paper explores areas of needed improvement in the current quinoa washer based on feedback from individual farmers and focus groups. Areas explored include the motor, washer operations, parts and sourcing, and cleaning and use. Results include a promising motor alternative in the form of a powered drill, which decreases cost and …

2025-March-14-Etsu Administrator Earns State Pharmacy Award For Student Advocacy, Bill Gatton College Of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 14, 2025)—Steve Ellis, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, is the first non-pharmacist ever to earn the Tennessee Society of Student Pharmacists Student Advocacy Award from the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA). Ellis was honored with the award on Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Nashville during TPA’s Pharmacy Day on the Hill.
 

The TSSP Student Advocacy Award is traditionally been presented annually to a professor, preceptor, or pharmacist who has demonstrated devotion to the success of student pharmacists through a commitment of life-long leadership which directly encouraged, inspired and …

Navigating Emotional Landscapes: A Black Woman's Perspectives, Nasya T. Jasper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Black women exist in a unique positionality and their experiences with depression and anxiety are shaped by distinctive structural factors. However, their experiences are often overlooked in sociological research and more broadly in academic/medical research. This study investigates the ways Black women are framing their experiences with depression and anxiety on Tiktok and Instagram. I conduct a qualitative study through a social media content analysis grounded in Black feminist thought and narrative analysis. This research is not only academic for me, but deeply personal, as I seek to amplify the voices of women whose struggles often go unrecognized. The findings …

On The Frontline: How Public Library Workers Experience Florida’S Increasing Social Inequality, Jordan P. Rogers

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As public libraries tend to reflect the needs and interests of their communities, this qualitative study explores how growing local physical and sociodemographic changes affect public libraries in metropolitan areas and the experiences of staff. Interviews with nine library workers from four densely populated counties in the U.S. state of Florida gave insight into the hypervisibility of inequality within and between public libraries, as well as the effects of this inequality on the libraries and their staff. The local changes that participants reported included population growth, constant development, gentrification, rising rents, and increased homelessness and affluence. Staff had diverse experiences …

In Case I Make It: An Autoethnographic Argument For Care, Space, And Utopia, Faelyn T. Cowan

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Taking an autoethnographic and autotheoretical approach I examine within this project TomboloBooks’ Queer Comic Book Club. Drawing from José Esteban Mun֮oz’s ideas of queer utopia and Jen Jack Gieseking’s framework of constellations, and analyzing my own experiences, I present the Queer Comic Book Club (QCBC) as a moment of utopic queer worldmaking and argue for it’s potential as a site of alternative mental health care. Though I cannot provide here a generalizable model of book clubs as care, what I offer here is a series of possibilities, arguing for the potential of these spaces as community resources and sites of …

Role Of Classroom Openness In Digital Literacy And Online Civic Engagement Among Filipino High School Students, Ma. Glenda Wui, Jessica Sandra R. Claudio, Jie Zhang, Carl Russel R. Reyes, Rosselle Trishia Reyes, Enrique Niño P. Leviste

Sociology & Anthropology Department Faculty Publications

The recent prominence of social media use necessitates new approaches in forming citizenship practices among the youth, the primary users of these platforms. While schools play a critical role in instilling civic values, dispositions, and skills among young people, it is equally important to examine the role digital literacy plays in facilitating civic engagement. Digital literacy pertains to technical skills in using social media, obtaining knowledge and information on social media, and communicating or expressing opinions on social media. The current study examined the relationship of classroom openness to online civic engagement with digital literacy as a mediating variable. The …

Risk Factors For Substance Use Among Serious And Violent Offenders Undergoing Reentry, Elizabeth Bozarth

University Honors Theses

Formerly incarcerated individuals often experience an intensely chaotic and stressful reentry environment, riddled with barriers and challenges that make them more susceptible to substance use and other risky behaviors. This literature review focuses on the most prevalent and pervasive risk factors for substance use among serious and violent offenders undergoing reentry. By examining research published within the last decade on serious and violent offenders in the United States, several major themes were identified: social bonds, housing and employment, mental health, and surveillance and addiction treatment. The results showed that risk factors for substance use are deeply embedded in ex-offenders' social …

Exploring Health Equity With Culturally Specific Providers Of Permanent Supportive Housing, Judith Solomon

University Honors Theses

Chronic homelessness is an important public health issue. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a promising opportunity for transitioning people experiencing homelessness into housing, however there remain unaddressed racial inequities in service provision and outcomes. The aim of this study is to better understand the role of culturally specific (CS) providers of PSH in improving health equity. I analyzed interviews with CS PSH providers for themes related to health and healthcare. Providers spoke about the importance of connecting clients to healthcare. Providers stressed the importance of honesty and lived experience, highlighting the strong sense of responsibility to the community. Providers also …

‘Malaysia’ Resurveyed: From Representation And Separation To Alternative Tropical Futurities, Wai Liang Tham

Research Publications (2021 to 2025)

This essay, in the form of a literary survey,revisits the idea of “Malaysia” by examining how the interlinked practices of representation and separation have been fundamental to the reification of tropicalityin the region once known as the Malay Archipelago: contemporary maritime Southeast Asia. It suggests how the two contradictory facets of colonial-era tropicality as envisioned in British Malaya (i.e., a fecund wasteland and inescapable degradation) have become embedded in the logic of governance in postcolonial Malaysia and Singapore. The persistent effects of this discourse in the present are discussed in terms of the challenges facing mobilization over issues of climate …

A Homage To The “Sublime Paralytic”: Apolinario Mabini & The Advent Of Filipino Historical Consciousness, E. San Juan Jr.

Mabini Review

For some perverse reason, Apolinario Mabini, though acclaimed as  the “brains of the revolution,” has remained a “sublime paralytic.”  What is sublime is not his being crippled but his thought and ideals that underwrote the whole period from 1896 to 1903, when he died, a victim of cholera. This essay argues that Mabini laid the groundwork for the Malolos Congress and the first Philippine Republic. He was the Republic’s first prime minister (from January 23, 1899 to May 7, 1899) and first secretary of Foreign Relations. In the latter position, he was tasked to confront two imperial powers: the defeated …

The Relevance Of Cultural Transformationand Autonomy Of Thinking In Filipinophilosophy: A Critical Essay, Nathanael Navarro

Mabini Review

Problematizing the coming fruition of cultural transformation and autonomy of thinking, this essay attempts to give Filipino society a disillusioned view of its national character. Centering on Leonardo Mercado’s trite notion of a given and almost static culture, the essay argues that cultural change is possible and necessary in the formation of a culture of intellectualization. This essay also serves to expose the working assumptions at the core of Mercado’s brand of Filipino Philosophy to deliver a prompt reminder of the purpose of philosophizing as an emancipative act from any face of social oppression. Ultimately, it challenges the view that …

Komparatibong Analisis Ng Sayaw Na Ritwal Ngkarakol Sa Cavite Gamit Ang Panata, Pagtitipon, Atpagdiriwang Ni Anril Tiatco (Isang Preliminaryongpag-Aaral), June Kiervin Dioso, Feorillo Petronillo Demeterio Iii

Mabini Review

Karakol is a ritual dance performed by the people of the province of Cavite every time there is a feast of a Patron Saint or a “Poon” in a chapel or parish. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards the use of modern music and modern steps and variations in dancing the ritual dance Karakol. This change has received different reactions from the people, especially with the older generations. Some people are criticizing these changes, and want to bring it back to the dance to its traditional style. However, some people perceive these changes as an opportunity …