Digital Commons Network^™

Religious Tourism Promoting A Culture Of Peace, Interfaith Dialogue, And Human Fraternity, Nour Farra Haddad

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Since the 1980s, scholars and organizations including the World Tourism Organization—have discussed how tourism can contribute to international understanding and peacebuilding among the peoples of the world (Moufakkir & Kelly, 2010). Tourism is not only an economic and social activity; it also has the potential to build bridges between diverse cultures and break down barriers that separate societies. Tourism can therefore serve as an avenue for promoting human fraternity and encouraging positive interreligious dialogue. As Jafari (1989, p. 154) argues, tourism has the potential to build bridges and reduce the cultural distances separating people of different races, cultures, and religions. …

Effective Engagement Strategies For A Multigenerational Workforce, Jonathan Gregory Phillips

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Ceed Initiative Empowers Students To Serve, Strengthen Mississippi, Marisa C. Atkinson

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – Fifteen University of Mississippi students are spending the summer building partnerships with Mississippi communities as part of the university's Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Initiative.

The Enabling Role Of Digital Competencies In Heutagogical Learning Contexts: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Jennifer Dean

Irish Journal of Academic Practice

In today’s digital age, independent, self-directed learning is essential for navigating complex information environments. Digital competencies support this by enabling learners to critically engage with, evaluate and apply information while maintaining autonomy and adaptability. This hermeneutic phenomenological study adopts a qualitative, interpretivist approach to explore the lived experiences of individuals engaged in heutagogical learning, where learners take intentional control over what, how and when they learn. Grounded in a constructivist epistemology, data were collected through nine in-depth, semi-structured online interviews. Thematic analysis revealed three key findings. First, self-directed learning is often unconscious and intrinsically motivated, driven by internal determination rather …

Measurement Invariance: A Tool To Weird-Icize Global Knowledge Production?, Klaus Boehnke

Online Readings in Psychology and Culture

The article examines measurement invariance in quantitative cross-cultural research. Instruments are typically translated, data are collected for the different language versions, and psychometric invariance is assessed. Items deemed equivalent are preserved, while the remaining items are traditionally eliminated. Culturally inclusive methodologies independently develop items across various cultures, translate them into a lingua franca, preserve translatable items, collect data, and corroborate invariance. Non-equivalent items are usually eliminated. A more radical strategy for preserving local (emic) elements is suggested here. Instrument developers across cultures concur on the measurability of a specific construct for which they independently create items, collect data without translation, …

Data Governance In Local Government: Evidence From Spatial Data Initiatives, Maame Efua Q. Arthur

Capstone Projects – Politics and Government

The adoption of modern digital applications and tools enables community development organizations to improve public services and community well-being. In response to the data surge, several local governments in the U.S. are converting spatial data into user-friendly geospatial products, including maps, dashboards, web, and instant apps. Research suggests that while these tools enhance operations for municipalities, they also increase public accountability and data transparency. However, developing data-driven tools is dependent on structured data governance practices that ensure data accessibility, accuracy, reliability, and security. Using the City of Bloomington, Illinois, as a case study, this study assesses the city's data-driven initiatives, …

Philanthropic Grantmakers’ Roles In Transforming Higher Education: A Narrative Inquiry, Elizabeth Jean Larkin Davis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Philanthropic foundations have become influential actors in higher education reform, often supporting initiatives to improve student success, advance equity, and promote systemic change. Yet limited research has examined how philanthropic grantmakers understand and navigate their roles in shaping long-term change across the higher education field. This narrative inquiry explored the personal and professional experiences of eight philanthropic grantmakers working across different foundations, roles, and organizational contexts in the United States. Guided by organizational change theory, Strategic Action Fields theory, and sustainability planning in dynamic systems, the study examined how grantmakers made sense of their responsibilities, influence, and contributions to systemic …

Tables Analytiques Des Titres Et Des Auteurs : Index Des Auteurs - Poej 1945-2010, Nada Corbani Akl, Abla Abi Nader

Proche-Orient, Études juridiques

No abstract provided.

Tables Analytiques Des Titres Et Des Auteurs : Index Des Titres - Poej 1945-2010, Nada Corbani Akl, Abla Abi Nader

Proche-Orient, Études juridiques

No abstract provided.

Tables Analytiques Des Titres Et Des Auteurs : Index Des Matières - Poej 1945-2010, Nada Corbani Akl, Abla Abi Nader

Proche-Orient, Études juridiques

No abstract provided.

Machine Learning Based Approaches To Survey Elderly Adults About The Perception Of The Coronavirus Crisis, Ouban Wannous

Al-Farahidi Expert Systems Journal

The rapid digital transformation of society in recent years has resulted in the creation of vast databases available online, particularly benefiting businesses. The main challenge now is to effectively access and utilize this data to make informed business decisions. Artificial intelligence techniques, such as natural language processing and machine learning, have proven highly effective across various domains and present valuable opportunities for developing automated models to extract insights and uncover new information. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of machine learning techniques in the field of social and economic sciences, focusing specifically on the task of classifying open-ended survey questions. We …

Author Biographies, Obsculta Editors

Obsculta

No abstract provided.

Developing Robust Human Formation For Ministerial Training, Mary L. Parks

Obsculta

The Apostolic Exhortation Pastores Dabo Vobis recognizes that effective ministerial formation is holistic, attending to all aspects of a minister’s being. The document therefore outlines four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral. In Co-Workers In the Vineyard of the Lord, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) extends the same four pillars of formation to the development of lay ecclesial ministers. The USCCB also applies these pillars to diaconal formation in The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States of America.

Paul: A Man Called To Reform Status: The Radical Practice Of “One In Christ”, Garrett S. "Faustino" Miller

Obsculta

This paper explores Saint Paul's ministerial pedagogy as he challenged Roman social hierarchies by calling believers to a radical unity as "one in Christ." By examining what this radical practice means, and what it is rooted in, this paper also urges readers toward the same radical and transformative vision of Christian oneness; a vision that seeks to build bridges rather than walls in the world today.

Experiences Of Black Francophone Students Entering The United States For Higher Education, Anu Nifemi Ferguson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Board-Certified Behavior Analysts Experiences In Providing Health Insurance Resources To Parents Of Children With Autism, Martins Acha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Promiscuous Mutualisms: John Dupré And The Centrality Of Symbiosis In The Living World, Thomas Pradeu

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

My goal in this chapter is to show that symbiosis, especially symbiotic interactions between ‘macrobes’ (non-microbial organisms) and microbes, is a central topic in John Dupré’s work. This topic is undeniably one of the topics by which Dupré has gained wide recognition among practicing scientists, in addition to his recognition within the philosophical community. I spell out why symbiosis has turned out to be a sort of ideal trope for Dupré, as it encapsulates many of his main personal themes—from promiscuous realism to process ontology. I then show that immunology offers one interesting and complementary entry point into microbial symbiosis …

Human Freedom And God’S Image In Undocumented People, An Nguyen

Obsculta

This article explores the relationship of human freedom in the theological perspective and undocumented immigrants in the United States: how immigrants embody the divine image, Imago Dei, despite legal and social constraints. I will begin with the theological foundation—freedom as a distinguishing characteristic of God’s image in humanity—and analyze the complex nature of freedom as both a divine gift and a human responsibility. Additionally, I will demonstrate that the Church has a special responsibility to recognize and affirm the inherent dignity of undocumented people by drawing from Catholic social teaching, migration studies, and theological anthropology, ultimately calling for pastoral practices …

Called From Within The Community: The Vocation Of Undocumented Hispanic Men To The Diaconate, Anisabel Palma

Obsculta

This paper examines the discernment of undocumented Hispanic men to the diaconate within a diocese facing growing Hispanic populations and a shortage of Spanish-speaking clergy. Using ethnographic research, theological reflection, and historical analysis, it argues that this reality should be discerned not as a pastoral problem but as a response to concrete community needs. Interpreted through four theological perspectives (sacred vocation, divine initiative, unconventional divine choice, and the community-oriented nature of diaconal ministry) the study proposes that welcoming undocumented men into formal discernment and formation for the diaconate constitutes a faithful and ecclesial response to the Church’s mission.

Underground Economic Transformation On The Indonesia-Timor Leste Border: From Stigma To Inclusion Strategy, David Kaluge, Agus Suman, Marlina Ekawati, Frederic Winston Nalle

Forest and Society

This study investigates the dynamics of the underground economy in the Indonesia–Timor-Leste border region, focusing on how cross-border informal activities evolve into a socially legitimized parallel economic system. Employing a qualitative case study approach, the research was conducted in four regencies of East Nusa Tenggara Province that directly border Timor-Leste, utilizing field observations, in-depth interviews, and policy document analysis. The findings reveal that underground economic practices are not merely acts of legal transgression but adaptive responses to structural exclusion, regulatory ambiguity, and the absence of effective state services. Three primary factors sustain these activities: strong kinship-based social networks, cost-efficiency rationality …

Treatment Sentences, Evelyn Lia Malavé

BYU Law Review

One of the most common mandates of a non-incarceratory sentence is to submit to treatment. Across the criminal legal system, from problem-solving courts to probation, millions of defendants sentenced to non-incarceratory sentences—including people not diagnosed with a substance abuse disorder—are required to attend drug treatment programs. After decades of policies that criminalized drug use, non-incarceratory sentences that match people with treatment may appear to be a step forward—or at least not the most pressing problem.

But criminal law scholarship has not fully reckoned with the harms of treatment sentences, including the harms of mandated treatment itself. Analysis of treatment sentences …

Assessing The Needs Of A Church’S Older Adults To Promote Their Flourishing, Royston Terrell Booker Iii

DMin Project Theses

The purpose of this project was to lay the groundwork for creating a holistic Senior Adult Ministry to support the flourishing of older adults through the activities of God’s people, the church. This approach to help older adults’ well-being is best accomplished through holistic support to enhance well-being, but many churches have not considered a holistic approach or developed a supportive capability. To create a holistic Senior Adult Ministry, I assessed the needs of senior adults in the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ (BHCC) in Nashville, Tennessee, within the United States. The findings and conclusions of this dissertation provide a …

The Parent Trip, Jessie Daniels

Publications and Research

This one-hour solo show propels the audience from 1970s Texas to 1990s New York City. In this hilarious and heartbreaking story, Jessie Daniels tells what it means to be raised to become a 'nice white lady.' When she rejects that to embrace the magic of queerness under a disco ball, she decides to write about it, and nearly loses everything.

The Roots Of Sexual Violence In Utah: A Framework For Understanding Harm, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Sexual violence in Utah is not an anomaly, a private tragedy, or the result of individual deviance. It is a patterned, predictable outcome of cultural norms, social systems, and power structures that shape how people understand gender, authority, and worth. Despite Utah’s reputation for strong families, close‑knit communities, and deep religious commitment, the state continues to report higher‑than‑national‑average rates of rape, child sexual abuse, and other forms of gender‑based harm. These realities demand a deeper understanding of why violence persists—and what can be done to prevent it.

This white paper synthesizes decades of national and international research, Utah‑specific data, and …

Beyond Autonomy: An Actor-Network Theory Study Of A Solo Exhibition In Indonesia, Rendy Pandita Bastari, Patra Aditia, Ganesha Puspa Nabila

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

In many exhibition artists are often perceived as singular and autonomous actors. Departing from the critique of this tendency, this study examines the solo exhibition Toyscapes, After Us by Indonesian artist Hilman Hendarsyah (November 2025) as a case study through the lens of Actor-Network Theory (ANT), in order to understand art exhibition as relational and socio-material practices. This study traces how exhibitions are produced through interaction between human and non-human actors within heterogeneous network. The analysis was conducted by following the actors and mapping processes of problematization, translation, and network stabilization. The findings elucidates that solo exhibition cannot be understood …

Preparing Preservice Teachers: Developing Skills For Working With Students With Disabilities In The Social Studies Classroom, Melissa Waugh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was aimed towards investigating the extant research, best practices, and teacher preparation standards related to working with students with disabilities in the social studies classroom. The study was guided using three research questions: Are students with disabilities’ learning needs reflected in the National Council for Social Studies National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers?; How do preservice social studies teacher programs prepare their candidates for teaching students with disabilities as evidenced by Social Science Education methods course syllabi?; and, What might a college-level course aimed towards social studies teaching methods centering around students with disabilities’ learning …

Reflexivity As A Metacognitive Skill: A Conceptual Triadic Learning Alliance Framework For Ethical Human-Ai Collaboration In Education, Jennifer Young

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

As artificial intelligence (AI) is integrated into education and workforce development, the ability to engage reflexively with technology may represent an emerging metacognitive skill. This paper conceptualizes reflexivity as an intentional, cyclical process of recognizing assumptions, reflecting on human-AI interactions, and responding with ethical discernment. Drawing from counselor education and supervision models that emphasize self-awareness and metacognitive reflection, the paper proposes a conceptual framework for cultivating ethical reflexivity in AI-augmented learning and decision-making environments. Through conceptual analysis and integration of the Triadic Learning Alliance (TLA) model, the framework identifies potential strategies for professionals and students to monitor cognitive biases, critically …

Faculty Engagement Practices With Building A Community Of Care, Cathryn Walker, Richard Penny, Lynne Orr, Kathleen Norris, Judith Blakely

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Faculty in a virtual online university benefited from employing elements of the community of care, community of inquiry, and social determinants of health frameworks to strengthen a sense of connection and to develop a community of care in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents an overview of practices at one university related to the design, implementation, and benefits accruing from employing strategies anchored in these frameworks. During 2022, two years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, university leaders approached a team of faculty members to facilitate a dialogue series to enhance relationships among faculty, given the …

Disciplining The "Unrestrained" Child Through Moral Rectification: The "Civilizing" Role Of The Us Educational System, Unleashing An Era Of Assimilation, Urnisha Dutta

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

Moral education in the US frequently has centered on cultivating “civic sense” and developing citizens who are morally akin to the dominant culture’s ideals. Although implemented as preventive measures (to avoid an otherwise inevitable suspension), these interventions are colored with dominant cultural sentiments that visualize differences as immoral. The idea of disciplining the “unrestrained” child thus aligns with a Western historical “civilizing” mission that aims at creating “moral citizens” through cultural erasure and behavioral transformation. This article discusses the unpleasant reality of moral education in the US educational system, demonstrating an inherent acculturation politics underlying behavior rectification initiatives. The essay …

About The Contributors

Impact: A Journal of Community and Cultural Inquiry in Education

No abstract provided.