Digital Commons Network^™

From The Ground Up: Community-Based Participatory Research Reclaiming The Science Of Lead, Juan Manuel Rubio, Bavisha Kaylan, Anthony Diaz, Patricia Flores, Maya Cheav, David C. Bañuelas, Ashley Green, Annika Hjelmstad, Ariane Jong-Levinger, Tim Schütz, Maya Carrasquillo, Alana M. W. Lebron, Jun Wu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

For decades, the dominant approach to lead poisoning has been to focus on homes affected by lead paint and to treat children who are already suffering from lead poisoning. This individualizing approach developed in the context of the defunding and deregulation of government agencies in the 1980s. In recent years, however, community–academic partnerships have reframed lead as an environmental issue produced by the development of the lead industry in the twentieth century and connected to overlapping histories of exploitation, discrimination, and inaction. These community-based projects have contributed to shifting research agendas (by emphasizing historical analysis and the study of the …

Barriers To Reproductive And Fertility Care For Middle Eastern And North African (Mena)-Identifying Women In The United States, Nadia Shaher

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)-identifying women in the United States face unique barriers to reproductive healthcare accessibility. Economic constraints, limited health literacy, and misclassification within U.S. health data sets further marginalize MENA women, neglecting their specific health needs across policy and medicine. Through a dual feminist and race-conscious bioethical lens, I analyze how the intersectionality of race, gender, class, and religion shapes reproductive healthcare experiences for this group. I aim not only to critique existing healthcare inequities but also to explore solutions that promote reproductive justice for MENA women in the United States.

Next Time, There Will Be No Next Time: The Short Vs. Long Term Policy Debate For Catastrophe, Analyzed Through Major Events In The United States Of America During 2020, Lauren K. Barlow

Politics Honors Papers

What accounts for citizens’ policy preferences between short-term payoff and long-term investment policies? How are these beliefs impacted by the personal construction of time horizons in relation to “end of times” experiences or disasters? In this research study, I will investigate whether the year 2020 shifted certain demographic groups either towards or away from supporting long-term investment policies in the three aforementioned areas. I compare the preferences of sample groups of Americans before, during, and after 2020, to determine whether the endurance of this time period shifted individuals towards a “Never again” or a “Not Now” mentality, and what the …

Edra 56: Bibliography, Tamara Karr

Bibliographies

EDRA 56: Designing Communities for Climate Action and Resilience

Fostering Environmental Sustainability, Haniya Bath, Zaina Bath, Andres Rodriguez

Service Learning Showcase

This initiative, Fostering Environmental Sustainability, developed through our service with Public Health Advocates, is all about raising awareness and getting the people of Stockton, especially our young adults, involved in addressing important environmental and community issues. By teaching youth about the challenges we face today, we aim to provide them with the tools to make a real difference and become leaders who take meaningful action. Our group focused on creating and facilitating school assemblies, classroom presentations, and interactive workshops, as well as designing visually appealing flyers, posters, and social media content to better engage students. In addition, we partnered with …

Beyond Survival: Anthropocentrism And Environmental Justice In Daniel Defoe’S Robinson Crusoe, Malak N/A Alghufaili Dr., Mada Alghufaili Dr.

Journal of Arabic Sciences and Humanities

This study analyzes Robinson Crusoe (1719) through an ecocritical lens, focusing on its depiction of Crusoe’s anthropocentric mindset that thrives due to his disregard for environmental justice. Drawing on Lawrence Buell’s “environmental imagination” and John Locke’s theory of property, the study examines how Crusoe’s survival tactics exploit the environment, prioritizing his own needs while neglecting the ecological principles of environmental sustainability and biodiversity. By reinterpreting the novel in light of these contemporary ecological principles, this study offers a fresh perspective on Crusoe’s actions, encouraging readers to critically reassess the long-term consequences of his behavior on the natural world. It also …

Organizing For Environmental Justice In Chicago's Northside, Aana Shenai

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

As one of Loyola’s Social Justice Interns, Aana Shenai worked as an intern with ONE Northside, a community organizing non-profit based in Chicago’s northside. In addition to learning foundational organizing principles, Aana designed a popular training as her internship project that focused on showing community members the intersections between the climate, environment and energy. Her other work included supporting the ONS Green Schools Campaign by attending school research visits, helping schools find funding for green projects, and building relationships with community partners.

The Opportunity To Make A Splash: Urban Pond Management In Missoula, Mallorie Dale

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Before the city was gridded with pavement and storm drains, Pattee Creek flowed openly through what is now Missoula, Montana. The Salish and Pend d’Oreille peoples lived in close relationship with this watershed, honoring its rhythms and relying on its abundance. Their word for Pattee Canyon—Sloʔté, “two valleys coming together to make one little valley”—reminds us that places carry memory, even when reshaped.

Now mostly buried beneath development, Pattee Creek briefly resurfaces at Bancroft Ponds, a 5-acre constructed basin nestled within a neighborhood. Here, water pauses. Birds gather. Children play. Life continues in quiet, often unnoticed ways. This project is …

Interwoven Struggles: The Intersection Of Reproductive Justice And Environmental Justice Through An Ecofeminist Lens, Maya Kowski

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Reproductive justice (RJ) and environmental justice (EJ) are deeply interconnected, particularly for marginalized communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards and systemic reproductive oppression. This poster explores how environmental factors—such as pollution, climate change, and toxic exposure—impact reproductive autonomy, pregnancy outcomes, and access to healthcare in the United States, positioning RJ as an essential component of EJ. This research examines historical and contemporary examples of environmental racism affecting reproductive health, highlighting how climate disasters, industrial pollution, and resource extraction disproportionately harm communities of color and Indigenous populations. Through case studies and movement analysis, this presentation discusses coalition-building between RJ and EJ …

Granting Rights To Nature: Environmental Personhood In The U.S. And Worldwide, Daxton W. Summers

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project explores the concept of granting legal personhood to natural environments, with a focus on the Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana. Granting legal personhood rights to the environment has been used around the world to recognize and protect rivers, mountains, and other environmental entities. However, the U.S. legal systems have been slow to adopt this approach. This research essay examines why the U.S. has been lagging, analyzes foreign legal frameworks that have granted personhood to environmental entities and examines if any could be adapted to grant rights and protections to the Clark Fork River.

The research process involves …

The Chemical City Of The World: Mapping Petrochemical Communities In West Virginia, Isabelle Judy, Daniel Renfrew, Grace Dever

CRC Research Symposium

This project was conducted out of the Center for Resilient Communities in partnerships with the West Virginia Environment and Society Lab. This research focuses on the impact of industrialization and water contamination on community health and well-being in South Charleston, West Virginia. West Virginia and the Ohio River valley have been at the heart of petrochemical development since the 1900s. Scholars refer to the area as a “sacrifice zone” that has fed the economic development of the nation while forcing local residents to suffer its toxic fallout. Many residents are aware of chemicals in their community however, there are gaps …

Stories Of Hope: An Environmental Justice Analysis Of The Past, Present, And Future Direction For Buckhannon And Tygart Valley River, Brooke E. Sikole, Matthew N. Olivero, Grace E. Dever

CRC Research Symposium

This project was conducted out of the WVU Center for Resilient Communities in partnership with local non-profits Save The Tygart Watershed Association and Buckhannon River Watershed Association. This research focuses on the impacts of industrialization and water contamination on the health and well-being of communities in the Tygart Valley Watershed. The Tygart Valley Watershed, like all other watersheds, is an incredibly important natural system that influences not only water quality and ecosystem health, but also the community within it. Encompassing rivers such as the Tygart Valley and Buckhannon, this watershed is no stranger to contamination and other challenges. Even so, …

From Creek To Community:Restoring Deckers Creek Watershed, Paige Tuttle, Grace E. Dever

CRC Research Symposium

This project was conducted out of the Center for Resilient Communities in partnership with local non-profit Friends of Deckers Creek. This research explored the impacts of industrialization and water contamination on the health and well-being of community members in the Deckers Creek Watershed. West Virginia’s rolling mountains, steep slopes, and low hollers are a place where many families and individuals call home. Our beautiful landscape is full of mountains and rivers that continue to be a source of joy for many of the people living within the region. When West Virginians reflect on what makes them feel connected to this …

Front Matter And Table Of Contents

University of Miami Race & Social Justice Law Review

No abstract provided.

Environmental Justice Guide For Melbourne, Florida, April Sullins

Ocean Engineering and Marine Sciences Student Publications

In Melbourne, FL, priority communities are often exposed to environmental risks and face disproportionate impacts on health and quality of life (1). Environmental justice (EJ), the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental policies and protections, recognizes and addresses these disparities(2).However, local residents, organizations, and policymakers lack a centralized resource that effectively addresses these risks. This comprehensive Environmental Justice Reference Guide will serve as a resource that provides historical context, legal frameworks, maps, education and reporting resources, and actionable solutions to motivate citizens to not only understand and acknowledge the effects of environmental injustices, but to also …

Sustainability Recognition Program: A Gamified Approach To Student Engagement On Campus, Sydney K. Gandolfi

Masters Projects

This project explores how gamification can be used to increase student engagement in sustainable practices on college campuses by creating a Sustainability Recognition Program. College students, though aware of environmental issues, may struggle to connect individual actions with meaningful change. By introducing a point-based system with digital badges, milestone rewards, and leaderboards, this recognition program is designed to make sustainability more accessible, visible, and motivating for students living in residence halls. Guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the program is designed to support students’ intrinsic motivation (autonomy), competence, and relatedness. By aligning sustainability goals with positive reinforcement and SDT, the overall …

Environmental Concerns Of Women In Appalachia, Kristen Montgomery, Adebayo Adeeko, Jessica Binns, Sarah Hall, Paula Hawkins, Allyson Newer, Michaela Outlaw, Karenna Turley

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Environmental contamination is rampant in the United States and other parts of the world. There are potential health implications related to environmental contamination.
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Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate how concerned women in Appalachia are regarding the environment. The following research question was addressed: What concerns do women have regarding the environment? The objective of this study was to understand how women perceive their environment and to evaluate what concerns they have regarding the environment. We also evaluated demographic factors to see if any demographics contributed to particular concerns related …

Spectator 2025-04-24, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

Expanding Incoming First-Year Students’ Knowledge With Campus Sustainability Education And Efforts At Higher Education Institutions, Katie Gorman

Masters Projects

The purpose of this project is to address the lack of guidance, support, and opportunities incoming first year students have in learning about campus sustainability and environmental efforts and education despite increasing student interest regarding these topics. Providing more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming opportunities that are available to all students before their arrival on campus can support an easier transition for incoming first year students to their respective institutions. This project creates a plan for institutions to implement a set of interventions and initiatives that allow students the ability and opportunity to further their learning in these topics.

The Relationship Between Climate Change Awareness And Mental Health Among Adults In The United States, Stanley Nkemjika

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Understanding the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly regarding its impact on the environment and mental health. However, there is a need for more research on this topic, especially within the American context. The mental health implications of climate change are not yet fully understood, and there is a gap in the literature. This gap was addressed by exploring climate change awareness effects on mental health among U.S. adults. The social ecological model provided a framework to examine the impact of climate change awareness on mental health, considering individual, interpersonal, community, and societal factors. This …

The Leading Causes Of Homelessness In Two Southeastern Counties Of Pennsylvania, Lucia Christine Spargo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Homelessness is a complex and multifaceted leading social issue in the United States. Society tends to focus on the individual as the cause of their own homelessness, blaming the victim rather than larger social and/or economic factors. There is an excess amount of data surrounding why/how an individual becomes homeless, but there is very little research examining the leading causes of homelessness in smaller geographic areas, such as counties. This study provides a better understanding and analysis of the leading causes of homelessness in two suburban counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania using binary logistic regression. Using ArcGIS, the study identified potential …

2025-04-23 Seattle U Approaches Earth Month In Search Of Beloved Community, Hadia Noor Ahmed

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Zealandan Interview With Dr.Kristine Grayson From Aotearoa New Zealand, Paxton Mills

Osmosis Magazine

ZealandDr. Kristine Grayson, Associate Professor of Biology, has been passionate about science and travel, particularly toAotearoa New Zealand, for some time.

Climate Prosecution As Climate Regulation, Cindy J. Cho

NULR Online

No abstract provided.

Conversation In My Parlor About Climate Change And The Call To Thoughtful Service By Lawyers With Disabilities, Gary Norman Esq. Llm

Journal of Law and Health

Pope John Paul II penned, "So much of our world seems to be in fragments, in disjointed pieces." Experts admonish that an irreparable threshold of 1.5°C for global temperatures is not a theoretical remonstrance but an imminent imperative. Is this true? This article will explore if climate change exists. I will thoughtfully respond to this question in the affirmative, exploring center-based solutions. Specifically, this article will urge that these great United States require a new generation of leaders who can embody the energy of a Brother President Theodore Roosevelt, who possesses the eloquence of President John Kennedy, and who, like …

Opening The Outdoors: Experiences Of Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color (Bipoc) Adults In Outdoor Occupations To Support Mental Health, Jasmine Reynoso, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

This mixed methods study explores the experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults in exploring and engaging in outdoor occupations to support mental health. Through 15 survey responses and 2 semi-structured interviews, data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reflective thematic analysis. The findings revealed three overarching themes: Barriers to Outdoor Occupations, Facilitators to Encourage Participation, and Personally Experienced Benefits. Participants explained how outdoor activities contribute to improved mental health, emotional regulation, and a sense of holistic well-being. By addressing the gap in research on nature-based occupations within BIPOC communities, this study highlights the need …

An Empirical Analysis Of Environmental And Climate Inequalities Across Italian Census Tracts, Alessandra Drigo

Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei Working Papers

This study offers the first analysis of environmental and climate inequalities at the census tract level in Italy, providing valuable insights into spatial patterns of environmental and social vulnerability. The results highlight significant environmental inequality related to exposure to air pollution (PM2.5), as well as climate inequality linked to thermal discomfort (measured by the Discomfort Index). Among all regions, the Padana Valley stands out as the most severely affected by both stressors, marking its population as particularly vulnerable—regardless of their socioeconomic status.At the national level, the analysis identifies a negative correlation between exposure to environmental stressors and income proxies, and …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Incorporation Of Nature Into Multilevel Social Work Practice, Tessa Palmer

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Humans have an innate connection to nature, often referred to as biophilia. Besides providing the basic necessities for life, interacting with nature has been connected to lower rates of depression and hypertension, improved hospital outcomes, reduced stress, better cognition, and many other benefits. Conversely, increased urbanization is being linked to more chronic medical conditions than in the past due to social inequalities, lifestyle factors, and environmental degradation. People of color and lower socioeconomic status are being disconnected from nature through environmental racism that leads to higher exposure to toxins and pollutants, less access to clean drinking water, and lack of …

Research Days 2025 Program, Governors State University

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Biogas Subsidies And The Increase In Consolidation On Industrial Hog Operations, Elizabeth Nisbet

Georgia State University Law Review

Industrial agriculture corporations operate with one goal: maximizing profits. In the name of this single objective, pig facilities fill warehouses with thousands of animals, where the costs of housing and feeding the animals can be kept as low as possible. An oft- unconsidered consequence of packing animals into warehouses is the sheer amount of waste created. Each pig creates about thirty times as much waste as a human, but industrial agriculture facilities do not have sewer systems for managing the thousands of gallons of waste produced every day. Instead, large facilities typically store their raw sewage in open air vats …