Digital Commons Network^™

Revitalizing Ritual Performances For Environmental Conservation And Climate Change Adaptation: A Case Study Of Ecotourism In Khaw Nu M’Cung National Park, Myanmar, Salai Vanni Bawi

Forest and Society

Environmental conservation is vital for sustaining biodiversity, ensuring ecosystem services, and mitigating climate change. Despite its importance, a theoretical gap exists in integrating indigenous knowledge with contemporary conservation strategies. Indigenous knowledge, which deeply coexisted with cultural practices, has been marginalized due to colonial histories and religious development. This marginalization neglects valuable ecological insights embedded in traditional rituals and practices. However, ecotourism presents a promising avenue for bridging this gap by leveraging the symbiotic relationship between indigenous communities and their natural environment. The ecotourism centered on indigenous practices fosters environmental stewardship and empowers local communities economically and culturally. Ecotourism can enhance …

Circular Commoning: Sustaining Dayak Bahau Agency Amid Political And Ecological Change, Jonathan Irene Sartika Dewi Max, Nurhady Sirimorok, Yofi Irvan Vivian, Dahri Dahlan, Alamsyah Alamsyah, Bayu Aji Nugroho, Octamarsela Leonela Huan, Vinsensius Ferrer Hilah

Forest and Society

Swidden practices create distinctive agricultural systems deeply situated in local culture, but many of these systems are experiencing transformation and demise around the tropical world. Through varied types of commoning, however, Indigenous groups continue swidden practices as part of their identity and livelihoods. In this article, we explore how the Bahau communities in Indonesia negotiate with the state and private institutions, enabling them to maintain their agricultural traditions as fundamental to their standing as Indigenous People. We apply a commoning framework that prioritizes historical context, adaptation, and collective decision-making in managing the commons. We focus on the Bahau communities residing …

Actors, Access, Markets, And Values Involved In Oil Palm Expansion And Peatland Degradation In West Kalimantan, Indonesia, Ali Yansyah Abdurrahim, Arya Hadi Dharmawan, Soeryo Adiwibowo, Herry Yogaswara, Meine Van Noordwijk

Forest and Society

Despite numerous government regulations aimed at protecting Indonesia’s peatlands and surrounding communities, the rapid conversion of peatlands to oil palm plantations, coupled with associated fires, continues to cause severe environmental degradation and health-threatening haze that extends to neighboring countries. This study examines the political ecology of oil palm expansion and peatland degradation in the Pelang Peat Landscape, Ketapang, West Kalimantan, focusing on the period 2000–2021. By integrating spatial analysis with qualitative methods—including active participation, in-depth interviews, group discussions, and document review—this research uncovers the dynamics of land-use change and access mechanisms. Findings reveal that oil palm expansion has resulted in …

Has Promotion Of Community-Based Tourism Been A Successful Rural Development Strategy In Northeast Thailand?, Sukanlaya Choenkwan, A. Terry Rambo

Forest and Society

Promotion of community-based homestay tourism (CBT) in rural villages is an important element of Thailand’s rural development strategy. This paper assesses how the concept of community-based tourism has worked in practice by examining the present status of all 53 government-recognized homestay communities in Northeast Thailand. It also identifies the challenges faced by these communities in implementing CBT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in every community with a total of 81 key informants. It was found that nearly half (45.3%) of these homestay communities were completely inactive because they had received no visits by tourists. The active homestay communities were classified into …

Mobilizing For Conservation: The Role Of Social Movements In Damaran Baru Ecovillage, Indonesia, Vellayati Hajad, Zuhrizal Fadhly, Cut Asmaul Husna, Ikhsan Ikhsan, Deni Setiawan

Forest and Society

This article highlights the role of social movements in environmental conservation by developing an ecovillage in Damaran Baru in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh, Indonesia, focusing on ecological sustainability and gender inclusivity. The primary aim of this paper is to explore how community-based social movements and government policies can collaborate to promote sustainable tourism practices that protect the environment and enhance local community welfare. A qualitative method with a phenomenological approach was employed in the data collection process, which included field observations, in-depth interviews with village residents and relevant stakeholders, and analysis of official and non-official documents related to the ecovillage …

Lessons In Low-Tech: A Handbook For Sustainable Education, Ceri Almrott, Loann Astorino, Sébastien Bette, Benoit Delinchant, Philippe Fortemps, Ulysse Girard, Paul Hendrick, Sacha Hodencq, Fabian Lecron, Julie Lhuissier, Kévin Loesle, Luis Miguel Lopez Santiago, Santiago Perez Rodriguez, Gauthier Renard, Tatiana Reyes, Virginie Vandenbulcke, John Walsh

Other resources

LT4SUSTAIN, an Erasmus+ funded transnational project, is at the forefront of responding to the increasing awareness of environmental and climate challenges. This awareness, particularly among youth, has led to a demand for social justice. With the coordinated work among six institutions, ranging from higher education institutions to private companies and associations, LT4SUSTAIN aims to raise awareness of Lowtech across society.

LT4SUSTAIN is pioneering a unique approach to technology design. By developing “hackathons” and other “hands-on” events, we are engaging students and industry in a way that improves inclusiveness. Our objective is to equip individuals with the skills to embark on …

“The Centrality Of ‘Life’ For Johannine Ethics”, Craig R. Koester

Faculty Publications

Jan van der Watt has described ethics as rational and systematic reflection on actions that are deemed positive or negative. Basic questions involve the point of departure and the aim of ethical action. He rightly identifies God as the authoritative center for Johannine ethics and makes two observations that warrant further development. First, as the point of departure, “God is the living God (6:57), the God who is life and gives life,” and Jesus too “is and brings life.” Second, in “line with the task of Jesus, the aim of believers is to give, sustain, and promote life.” “Promoting life …

Beyond The Numbers: A Qualitative Exploration Of Patient Perspectives On Postpartum Care And Maternal Mortality, Kristen A. Waters

Master of Public Health Program Student Publications

Introduction

Montgomery County faces one of Ohio's highest maternal mortality rates, with notable disparities by race. Despite their importance in reducing maternal deaths, up to 40% of women nationwide do not attend a postpartum care (PPC) visit. While well researched guidelines exist regarding the content and timing of PPC visits, there is a lack of patient perspective on this topic, specifically in the Black-identifying population in an area with a significant burden of maternal mortality.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions were conducted with 31 participants of maternal health community events in Dayton, OH. Participants were asked their opinions …

An Examination Of International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (Ibdp) History Teachers’ Lived Experiences, Karen F. Chernoff

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the under-researched lived experiences of International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) history teachers who had at least five years’ experience and worked in regions outside their home of origin. “Home of origin” refers to where each participant was born. In this study, I examined these experiences using a case study approach through a phenomenological lens. Four IBDP high school history teachers and I explored our lived experiences within a community of practice of two (“CoP of Two”). Within a CoP of Two, I was a participant-researcher. The purpose of this research was to examine IBDP history teachers’ lived …

This Needs More Time!: Considerations For Improving Partnerships Between Communities And Institutions In Folklore, Sarah M. Gordon, Jasper Waugh-Quasebarth, Junious Lee Brickhouse, Ashley Minner Jones, Naomi Sturm-Wijesinghe

Art Faculty Publications

From 2021 to 2023, the authors convened a series of discussion forums at the annual meetings of the American Folklore Society to discuss the challenges of community-institutional partnerships in the field of folklore. This perspectives piece presents the outcomes of that series of panels with the goal of advancing adaptability in institutional practices to better support community-engaged work. We seek to promote practices that better respond to community needs in collaborative partnerships through disciplinary norms and institutional bureaucratic mechanisms.

Icipe Annual Report 2024, International Centre Of Insect Physiology And Ecology (Icipe)

icipe Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Profile: Innovation Through The Liberal Arts, Communications And Marketing

Profile (1996-)

In this issue: Alumnus Chooses to Pay It Forward with Scholarships ; Gallant Makes the Most of Scholarships ; Newell Gives Back with Entrepreneurship Class ; Giving Allows Students to Get Business Ownership Experience ; Competitive Ethics Team Earns National Bid ; Tollefsrud Named Fulbright Finalist ; Noujdi Receives 2024 Undergraduate SEED Award ; Faculty and Staff Awards ; Hands-On Observatory Experience for Physics Students ; Zavada, Students Travel to Peru for Fulbright Research ; Morris Model Wins Second Department of Energy Competition ; 2025 Commencement ; Spotlight: Highlighting the Degree in Three Option ; AI Philosophy Tutor: Using AI …

Optimization Of Wash-Dr And Rwanda Ceramic Hwts Systems, Hamza Zeini

Honors Program Theses

Access to safe drinking water remains a global challenge, affecting over 2 billion people. Fecal coliform contamination poses serious health risks, particularly in developing regions like the Dominican Republic and Rwanda. Rollins College professors have implemented Field Studies to support water filter distribution in these areas. This study evaluates the optimization of Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) systems used in the WASH-DR and Rwanda-Rural Education Field Studies, focusing on Dr. Bernal’s chlorination and filtration system and Rwanda’s ceramic filters. A key innovation is the integration of the MadiDrop+, a silver-impregnated ceramic tablet that releases antimicrobial silver ions, as …

Food Resource Efficiency Decision Support Hub: Workshop 1 - Summary Report, Jennifer Attard, Tracey O'Connor, Simon Patterson, Julia Lessa Feitosa Virgolino, Mina Sadeghzadeh

Publications

FRED is focused on informing policy on food waste prevention using a total food system sustainability approach.

Amy Zeh High-Impact: Hope Helps, Yvon Mbenza, Anant Ajvalia, Armando Ramirez, Alan Claiman

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

The purpose of our project was to volunteer with HOPE Helps, a nonprofit organization that provides community support through its thrift store, food pantry, and outreach events. Our group, Project Pegasus, worked onsite to help sort donations, organize items, and assist in the operation of the thrift store. We coordinated efforts with the volunteer manager and staff, who guided us and made sure we understood expectations and procedures. One of the most meaningful activities involved working alongside staff and other volunteers as coworkers to see how teamwork and common purpose create effective service. A key thing we learned was about …

Additional Information - Alex Willoughby Interview, Urban Green Lab, Tennessee State University

Hear from Alex Willoughby - Nashvillian in the Tornado's Path

No abstract provided.

Building A New World In The Shell Of The Old: Co-Designing Post-Capitalist Visions, Alix Gerber

Design Thinking Initiative Staff Publications

Designers working towards social change have often focused on designing discrete solutions to social problems, rather than working within the long-term world-making practices of movements. This paper examines the potential of a more embedded design practice within prefigurative movements, where mutual aid networks, worker cooperatives, and other solidarity economy initiatives are already developing alternative systems in the present. What if we could design everyday tools with these collectives to embody their transformative visions? Yet it can be difficult to design for transformation collaboratively. Collectives include members with diverse visions that can conflict, as well as different ideas about how to …

Finding Our Way: Three Studies On The Evolving Role Of Arts Nonprofits In Contemporary Society, Trevor Meagher

Public Affairs Dissertations - Archive

Arts nonprofits play vital roles in defining the character of a community. However, our collective relationship with these organizations is evolving. This article-based dissertation leverages mixed methods to explore arts nonprofits’ evolving relationship with society.

The first article conceptually analyzes historical trends in arts advocacy in the United States. It explores how the arguments organizational supporters make in the hopes of securing financial and public support have developed and shifted in popularity over the past half-century. These streams are thematically connected through an emphasis on utilitarianism and value-extraction, and they have historically been employed in almost completely static proportion to …

Streets Of Belonging: Reimagining Bataan Street As A Demonstration Project For Cultural Preservation In La Bajada, Avigail Gutierrez

Landscape Architecture Masters & Design Theses - Archive

The objective of this research is to examine how landscape architecture can be used to preserve cultural identity and community life in neighborhoods experiencing gentrification. The study focuses on the La Bajada community in West Dallas and explores how design can help protect the neighborhood’s character and history while improving comfort, safety, and accessibility in public spaces. The research investigates the role of Bataan Street and its traffic islands as social and cultural anchors within the community. It evaluates how landscape architecture can strengthen belonging and resilience against displacement. The study is guided by a research question: How can the …

Role Of Change Management In The Success Of Architecture And Engineering Firms: Case Study Cairo, Manar M. Samy, Laila Khodeir, Mahmoud El Nably

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Today, we face multiple changes and crises on the environmental, social, and economic levels, such as climate change, limited resources, economic crises, pandemics and lockdowns, wars and conflicts, digitalization and technological evolution, and changing needs of clients and stakeholders. Consequently, embracing change has become a very important factor for business success, such as the architecture and engineering (A/E) industry, which has a big share in the global economy. Despite its importance, the A/E industry is the slowest to adopt changes due to various challenges. This paper aims to investigate the role of change management in the success of A/E firms, …

Connecting Classrooms To Communities: A Practical And Effective Guide For Involving Community Development Practitioners In Graduate Seminars, Michael Hendricks

Faculty Publications – Politics and Government

This article examines the pedagogical impact of a strategically structured guest speaker series in a graduate-level community development seminar. Drawing on four cohorts of qualitative student feedback and utilizing an inductive thematic analysis, the study explores how guest speakers influence student learning, professional development, and civic engagement. Findings reveal that guest speakers effectively bridge theory and practice, enhance classroom engagement, and foster critical thinking, career exploration, and long-term civic involvement. Students reported that interacting with diverse professionals helped clarify real-world applications of course content and inspired volunteerism, internships, and employment opportunities. The paper also identifies conditions that enhance the effectiveness …

Community-School Partnerships In Action: Exploring Student Needs, Outcomes, And Perceptions In A Communities-In-Schools Program In North Texas, Teresa Vega Uriostegui

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which elementary students’ characteristics and educational backgrounds were associated with their identified need of academic, behavioral, and social service supports, and how these factors were associated to students’ end-of-year outcomes, as in improvement related to the support services they received. In addition, the study aimed to explore students’ perceptions of their satisfaction with and experiences of the integrated support services provided through the CIS program. This study, conducted in three Title 1 public elementary schools in suburban North Texas, included 306 students in grades PreK through 5^th. …

Annual Report Of The Officers Of The Town Of Holderness, New Hampshire Year Ending December 31, 2024, Holderness Town Representatives

Holderness, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Increasing Pediatric Asthma Follow-Up Visits And Decreasing Emergency Department Visits In A Primary Care Setting, Rima M. Basal

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

The implementation of the asthma follow-up visits bundle in the pediatric primary care setting is an evidence-based practice project aimed at improving pediatric asthma management. This manuscript discusses the deployment of the bundle, which includes pre- and post- knowledge assessment for parents/caregivers, asthma education through a short video and handout, administration of the asthma control test (ACT), completion of a written asthma action plan (WAAP), and education about the patient portal and telehealth. The goal is to improve parent/caregiver knowledge, treatment adherence, follow-up visit compliance (in-person or virtual) and reduce emergency department (ED) utilization. Parent/caregiver knowledge increased by 23%, ACT …

Beyond Graduation: A Quantitative Analysis Of Earned Wage Outcomes For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities Participating In Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs, Melanie Lopez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The study examined how person-centered planning goal setting and integrated paid work experiences predict postsecondary employment stability and earned wages for individuals with intellectual disabilities who completed Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs. Findings indicated that structured transition planning significantly predicts higher postsecondary earnings, while integrated, paid work experiences contribute to greater employment stability and wage progression over time. Institutional differences shape employment trajectories, underscoring the need to evaluate programmatic factors influencing postsecondary outcomes. Limitations include institutional variability in data reporting, unmeasured confounding variables, and the specificity of the sample to FPCTPs in one state. Program implementation differences and regional labor …

January 2025 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

A Bibliometric Analysis On Climate Change And Its Implications For Medical Education, Sungkono Sungkono, Firdian Makrufardi, Annisa Fairuz Nur Azizah, Firdiawan Ekaputra

Health Professions Education

This study aims to conduct a comprehensive examination of research in medical education, especially in graduate medical education within the context of climate change. Moreover, this study examined the current research trends on climate change for graduate medical education. The analysis encompasses citation, co-citation, co-occurrence, thematic mapping and evolutionary analyses. Through this bibliometric review, researchers will gain valuable insights by identifying influential publications and understanding the fundamental structure of the field. Additionally, this review paved the way for future studies by highlighting influential research trends and emerging topics. The findings delineate various approaches of discussion based on clusters identified through …

Disrupting Privilege: Community Engagement In The First Year, Trisha H. Folds-Bennett, Jesslyn Collins-Frohlich, Robert Maynor

National Collegiate Honors Council Monographs: Chapters

In the opening essay for an issue of JNCHC focused on this question of risk-taking in honors, Cognard-Black posits that the problem of students’ apparent rejection of risk may be the structure of honors programs themselves. He challenges honors educators to consider how the structure of their programs perpetuates an elitism that causes honors students to maintain their focus on status and external reward, which are potential barriers to deeper and more critical engagement with ideas (6). In this chapter, we take up Cognard-Black’s challenge and use our experiences creating the first-year seminar at the College of Charleston to argue …

Sound Sensor Networks And Sub/Urban Health: A Transdisciplinary Approach Using The Purdue Campuses As A Living Lab, Kurt Khaustov, Harshitha Pathania, Sophia Victoria Pimentel, Irem Ucar, Linda Ronglin Xu, Santosh Sai Ramesh, Zhengyi Jiang, Elian Inigo Turcal Rieza, Nathan Sing Lee, Ryce Pi, Atandrila Chowdhury, Felipe Saavedra Cardona, Tae Hong Park

Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship

Our project investigates environmental soundscapes in West Lafayette and on the Purdue campus - including the Purdue Airport with its newly reopened commercial terminal - treating these sites as a living laboratory. Conducted under the Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship (DUIRI) with mentorship from Dr. Tae Hong Park and his Citygram research, the study integrates engineering, data science, and acoustic ecology.

Building on the Soundscaper system, we are developing an interactive sound-mapping interface that allows users to hear synthetic soundscapes representing real-world conditions. We implement a geospatial-audio pipeline that links OpenStreetMap (OSM) data to our Object-Oriented Soundscape Synthesis (OS2) framework. …

Adaptive Leadership In Hbcus: Navigating Hybrid Work Dynamics In A Post-Pandemic Era, Brittney A. Brooks

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Leaders of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) institutions influence retention rates of HBCU employees. An organization's culture determines the behavior of its employees. When assumptions regarding organizational structure were made, communication about the company's expectations was often ignored, leading to employees becoming accustomed to the culture and resistant to change. This mindset hindered HBCU growth and the willingness to address the urgency for policy revisions. As institutions continue to transition post-COVID, adjusting human resource policies at HBCUs to cater to the individual needs of these employees is needed to maintain retention.

This exploratory mixed-methods research study investigated leadership in …