Digital Commons Network^™

What Impact Do Parks Have On Their Community?, Elliott James

Research Days Posters 2025

How do parks benefit people and how do they affect housing prices? Parks play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities while also influencing local housing markets. To explore these questions, a survey will be used to collect data from many college students, who will be asked about various aspects of how they believe parks can be beneficial to themselves as well as others. There will also be analysis of housing prices at different relative distances away from parks in Binghamton. The survey, along with the analysis of the housing price data, will offer …

The Power Of Social Media In Political Movements: How Teens Are Shaping Democracy Online, Adina Mogul

Research Days Posters 2025

The use of social media by teens in political movements is reshaping how democracy functions. By utilizing these platforms, young people are holding politicians and institutions accountable in real-time. Social media provides a direct channel for them to question authority and influence public opinion. Politicians are increasingly paying attention to these digital conversations, recognizing the power of youth-driven movements to sway elections and policy decisions. This research addresses the following questions: How do teenagers use social media platforms for political activism? What are the unique characteristics of teen-led movements online? How do they compare to traditional forms of activism? The …

The Rise Of American Autocracy: The Effect Of Far-Right Policies On America's Democracy, Matthew Betro

Research Days Posters 2025

Far-right ideologies and authoritarian insurgents rise to power through democratic backsliding. The reelection of Donald Trump has caused concern among many Americans because of his autocratic behavior, which is reflected in the policies he is attempting to implement, such as harsh immigration laws, tariffs, and ending birthright citizenship. This study analyzes how Trump’s behavior and policies reflect autocratic tendencies, discussing the severity of the far-right threat he poses to America. The analysis will occur by establishing a definition of democratic backsliding to compare Trump’s actions to understand how his behavior correlates to other authoritarians in the modern world. The criteria …

Climate Disasters And The Inherent Disparity Of Recovery Efforts, Bennett Weitz

Research Days Posters 2025

Over the past twenty years, there has been a dramatic increase in climate-related disasters, including, but not limited to, heatwaves, hurricanes, and flooding. Climate change has exacerbated the severity of many events, such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, and the 2025 California wildfires. This article will examine the disparity in recovery efforts, the significantly worse impact on less privileged communities, and the permanent damage caused by climate disasters. Additionally, this paper will analyze meteorological and economic data to highlight the significant differences in recovery efforts, the intersection of climate science and climate justice, and how geographic locations influence the speed …

Politics Vs Climate Change, Chase Dumais

Research Days Posters 2025

This study examines the evolution of the partisan divide on climate change in the U.S. since the 1990s, exploring its emergence as a polarizing issue between Democrats and Republicans. Using a mixed-methods approach, it combines quantitative analysis of congressional voting records (1990s–2024) with qualitative reviews of key debates and policy discussions. Building on existing literature, the research addresses gaps by analyzing long-term polarization trends and factors influencing political positions. Data from congressional votes (via congress.gov and govtrack.us) will quantify party polarization, while qualitative analysis adds context to these findings. The study acknowledges limitations like vote selection bias and simplified political …

Food Councils And Federal Committees: Community Responses To Inaction On Food Insecurity By Government, Liam Rupprecht, Kevin O'Connell

Research Days Posters 2025

The issue of food insecurity in the United States is often overlooked, despite its destructive impact on vulnerable groups like children, racial minorities, and those in poverty. Non-white urban communities of color especially have significantly higher rates of household food insecurity due to systemic racism in food systems. Federal efforts have failed to resolve the issue, leaving it to local “food council” organizations that attempt to help through advocacy and charity. These groups face a difficult task: how can they work to mitigate food insecurity with limited community or charity resources, especially in underprivileged areas? This research compiles contemporary scholarly …

Nixon’S Family Assistance Plan: Its Shortcomings And Impact On Social Policy, Simon Doff

Research Days Posters 2025

Richard Nixon’s Family Assistance Plan (FAP) was a welfare reform proposal that aimed to completely replace the New Deal-era Aid to Families with Dependent Children with a guaranteed income for low-income families. While pre-existing research primarily focuses on legislative battles and economic implications, less attention has been given to race, sex, and media framing in influencing opposition to the plan. This research is primarily drawn from congressional records, newspaper archives, and policy analyses to explore how each of these factors contributed to the FAP’s downfall, as well as how the FAP’s failure influenced further dialogue on social policy. This research …

Watching The Watchers: Redefining Privacy And Human Rights In Correctional Surveillance, Ianna Choi

Research Days Posters 2025

Incarcerated individuals exist in a space where security and privacy constantly clash. This study examines how surveillance technologies—biometric monitoring, video surveillance, and electronic tracking— in correctional settings impact the privacy rights of those incarcerated. Through a review of peer-reviewed literature, and insights from informal conversations with incarcerated individuals at Broome County Jail, this research examines the ethical, legal, and social implications of surveillance in carceral facilities, focusing on how constant monitoring impacts privacy, relationships, and mental well-being. Expanding beyond jails, the study considers surveillance in state and federal prisons, evaluating its implications under the United Nations International Covenant on Civil …

The Link Between Diet Quality, Emotional Intelligence, And Pathological Eating Behaviors: Insights Across Young And Mature Adults, Sarah Al-Aubaidy, Marissa Pagnutti, Lina Begdache

Research Days Posters 2025

This study explores links between emotional intelligence (EI), diet quality, and pathological eating behaviors (PEB), across age groups. A total of 1,209 young adults (18-29) and 172 mature adults (30+), completed an anonymous survey comprising demographics, Trait EI, Eating, and Food-Mood Questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Principal Component Analysis and Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient. Results showed both age groups had negative correlations between a desire for an empty stomach, breakfast intake (p< 0.01), and high-glycemic food intake (p< 0.01). The desire to have an empty stomach was negatively associated with fruits (p< 0.01) for mature adults, yet had no significant correlation with young adults. However, emotional control and self-belief negatively correlated with difficulty concentrating due to food and shape/weight concerns (p< 0.01) for both groups. Both groups also demonstrated greater PEB with poor diet quality and emotional distress, highlighting EI as a significant factor.

The additional file for this poster includes an accessible word document.

Investigating The Correlation Between Diet Quality And Psychological Resilience, Bo Schooley, Sean Morrissey, Jasmina Abdurasulova, Margaret Giordano, Morgan Andersen

Research Days Posters 2025

Psychological resilience is associated with numerous positive mental health outcomes. This study examines the correlation between diet quality and psychological resilience. An anonymous survey was administered digitally and was shared by group members through social media platforms and flyers posted throughout the Binghamton University campus. The survey included questions regarding demographic and lifestyle information, nutrition habits, psychological resilience and flexibility, and recent experiences with emotions. A healthy balance of whole grains (p<0.01), vegetables (p<0.05), meat (p<0.05), and carbohydrates (p<0.05) is associated with increased psychological resilience. Comparatively, legumes (p<0.05) and caffeine (p<0.05) consumption are associated with lower reported psychological resilience. These findings emphasize the importance of improving diet quality for the overall psychological health of people as a simple and non-pharmaceutical way for all people to improve their psychological health, making it an accessible route for multiple populations.

Class Imitation And Mobility, Jordan Novak

Research Days Posters 2025

This study examines how American workers, particularly Generation Z, navigate and perform social class through appearance, behavior, and communication, with a focus on the fashion industry. Drawing on ethnographic interviews with 20 employees across industries and age groups, including 3 Gen Z fashion workers, it explores class performance as both a survival strategy in an unequal labor market and a form of self-expression in the digital age. Key findings reveal diverse strategies for class signaling, from "dressing for success" to leveraging social media and tech literacy as modern forms of cultural capital. The study highlights a phenomenon of "class cosplay," …

Ethical Considerations Of True-Crime Entertainment On Victims’ Loved Ones, Jordan Ori

Research Days Posters 2025

True-crime has become one of contemporary American media's most popular entertainment genres. This paper examines the reasons behind our public fascination with true-crime and its implications, specifically regarding how it impacts victims’ loved ones. Through a critical analysis of three key forms of true-crime entertainment—dark tourism, film, and podcasts—this research will explore the ethical concerns surrounding the portrayal of crime-related tragedies as entertainment. While existing scholarship often dismisses the genre as inherently problematic, this mindset is unrealistic and unproductive. Instead, this paper advocates reforming its current structure and fostering a more socially responsible and ethical approach. Moreover, to reduce harm …

Like A Natural Woman: Why We Still Need Ecofeminism, Emma Dean-Stahl

Research Days Posters 2025

In the last half-century, ecofeminism has emerged and expanded as a radical theory examining the connection between the oppression of women and the destruction of the environment. This theory denounces the shared patriarchal exploitation of women and nature by promoting holism and interdependence among all living things. Overtime, however, ecofeminist thought splintered into two distinct variants: cultural and radical. Cultural ecofeminism in particular, which embraces the biological and spiritual tie between women and nature as opposed to rejecting it, has faced many critiques about its apolitical, essentialist, and mystical philosophical approach. This project attempts to reinterpret and defend cultural ecofeminism …

Friendship Vs. Colonialism: Investigating How E.M. Forster Uses Empathy In A Passage To India, William Predmore

Research Days Posters 2025

Upon its publication in 1924, E.M. Forster’s A Passage to India was recognized for its insightful and sympathetic portrayal of Anglo-Indian relations. More recently, the novel’s reception has been shaped by postcolonial readings, highlighting its engagement with colonialism, racial tensions, and cultural disparities. The friendship the novel centers around– and ultimately its failure, induced by a rape accusation– serves as a polarizing event for critical interpretations. Is the failure of sympathy in the novel significant in any anticolonial sense, as Zakia Pathak’s criticism argues? Or does it exist as an apolitical distraction as Nirad Chaudhuri implies? Investigating these critiques, this …

Upstate Socialism: A Story Of Homegrown Movements, Zachary Dean, Antonio Melian, Jack Manning

Research Days Posters 2025

In 1912 a Socialist was elected mayor of Schenectady. George R. Lunn, a local pastor and reformist leader, rallied the city’s growing working class and rose to power by arguing that the city government could be used to help its citizens. Lunn’s success displayed the rising trend of Socialists being elected to municipal and state governments across the country. However, many Socialist movements in New York, including those in Binghamton and Utica, faced internal pressures and criticism from their local communities, resulting in electoral losses. Drawing on local newspapers from the 1910s alongside census records and archives, this project explores …

An Ecological Analysis Of Radical Black Thought From The Black Panther Party, Joshua Fishkin

Research Days Posters 2025

Recent scholarship has attempted to expand common notions of ecology to include human beings and their struggles to survive within their environments. Within that trend, scholars have begun centering radical Black ecology, a discipline that seeks to understand how radical Black thinkers have conceived of their spaces and attempted to influence their surroundings. While much progress has been made in developing that understanding, there is still a large gap in the literature surrounding the ecological implications of radical Black political thought. Using the political writings of Black revolutionaries from the Black Panther Party –including Huey P. Newton, Angela Davis, and …

Global Climate Governance: The Roles Of The Unfccc In Shaping International Relations, Nina Thomas

Research Days Posters 2025

In 1992 the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was adopted as a result of scientific evidence revealing the detrimental effects of climate change to the world. Although the Convention was held more than 20 years ago, there is a lack of effective global climate governance while climate change continues to destroy our environment. By analyzing the three main agreements established through the UNFCCC and examples of international interactions which resulted from climate change - such as providing humanitarian assistance, redrawing national borders, and compensating for historical injustices - this paper seeks to argue for a solution through …

“We Are Going!!!”: Understanding Nineteenth-Century Perspectives On Chinese Immigration Through Book Marginalia, Celeste Hoo

Research Days Posters 2025

Since its beginning, Chinese immigration to America has been a contentious topic, marked by preventative laws like the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. While such prejudice is historically evident, some works, such as Russell H. Conwell’s 1871 Why and How: Why the Chinese Emigrate, and the Means They Adopt for the Purpose of Reaching America, sought not entirely to judge, but also to understand. By exploring the inscription found in Binghamton University’s copy of this book—which marks this book as a Christmas gift—as well as by studying the people involved in its production and its marginalia, this project aims to uncover …

Economic Freedom And Universal Basic Income: Compatible Or Contradictory?, Elena Kosmas

Research Days Posters 2025

Economic freedom is frequently invoked as an argument both for and against Universal Basic Income (UBI). Classical liberals may object to the policy on grounds of minimal government, demanding the right to retain one's earnings – or what Isaiah Berlin called negative liberty. However, egalitarians argue that true self-determination requires a stable economic base – an argument based on Berlin’s positive liberty. This essay examines how these conflicting conceptions shape political philosophy and economic policy discussions regarding UBI. By referring to Isaiah Berlin, Robert Nozick, Philip Pettit, and Philippe Van Parijs, it examines how the libertarian credentials of UBI depend …

Climate Equality In The Classroom: An Assessment Of Climate Justice Education In Public Schools, Steven Madden

Research Days Posters 2025

Despite the US public education system expanding to include lessons on climate change, it often ignores climate justice, meaning that many students fail to understand the intersection between social inequality and global warming. As a result, they are faced with an incomplete view of a major problem in their soon-to-be future, despite schools intending to prepare them for the greater world. Thus, this paper explores current roadblocks preventing climate justice from being taught, such as growing right-wing pressures and climate denial, and the pathways for expanding the subject within US schooling. My findings indicate that gaps in climate justice education–though …

Experiences Of Grief And Resilience In College, Katy Perry

Research Days Posters 2025

The aim of this project was to explore the experiences of bereaved college students not connected to counseling services, including: 1) Describing the age-salient behaviors, cognitions, and emotions that bereaved college students who are not utilizing counseling services associate with resilience and non-resilience. 2) Identifying barriers to or reasons for a lack of engagement with formalized campus counseling services. 3) Exploring the experience of bereavement in the undergraduate student population.

Rehabilitation Over Punishment: United States Federal Prisons, John Edom

Research Days Posters 2025

This project will analyze how United States federal prisons are places where punishment is prioritized over rehabilitation and the distinction between abuse and discipline are blurred. This issue can be traced back to the 1980s, with the passage of the Comprehensive Crime Control Act (CCCA) which prioritized punitive measures over rehabilitation and contributed to a sharp rise in incarceration rates. The discretionary power of prisons is far too entrenched. The Supreme Court’s rulings in Turner v. Safley (1987), Overton v. Bazzetta (2003), and Wilkins v. Gaddy (2010) reinforce this discretion by justifying abuse under the guise of discipline. This project …

The Foreboding Decline Of The Judiciary In Hungary And Turkey, Luke Bache

Research Days Posters 2025

Across the globe, autocratic governments are surging, characterized by gradual democratic decline and the overhaul of democratic institutions. To understand this “new” authoritarianism on a deeper level, this paper examines the variations of institutional backsliding, specifically in the judicial branches of democratic governments. Through researching common trends in the undermining of the judiciary branch, this paper strives to determine how the varying nature of “judicial decay” can result in a substantial difference between evolving autocracies. With the ultimate goal of examining whether the pace and method of judicial decay influences the success of the authoritarian government that emerges, this paper …

Confinement And Consent: A Comparative Analysis Of Sexual Abuse In Finnish And U.S. Prisons, Madison Greico

Research Days Posters 2025

Every year, thousands of prison rapes occur behind bars in New York alone by the very guards meant to protect prisoners. The Bangkok Rules and The Basic Principles for The Treatment of Prisoners are a specific outline of protections and rights for individuals (Bangkok specifically about women) within prisons adopted by the United Nations compromising states. While The United States is a leader in the United Nations and adopted these sets of rules, their failures of commitment are extremely apparent. However, Finland, another United Nations member, has virtually no record of sexual abuse within their prisons. In investigation of what …

Revitalizing Johnson City: Addressing The Housing Crisis Through Campus-Inspired Urban Design And 3d Modeling, Carter Cosentino

Research Days Posters 2025

This paper explores the ongoing housing crisis in America and presents a unique approach to addressing it through urban design inspired by college campuses. By focusing on sustainable, pedestrian-friendly environments and mixed-use spaces, this research proposes a new model for revitalizing downtown areas. The study integrates principles from campus design with affordable housing solutions, emphasizing community connection, walkability, and sustainable growth. Using 3D modeling software, the paper will visualize how these design concepts could transform Johnson City, New York, a town currently undergoing revitalization. The research explores the historical, social, and economic factors contributing to the housing crisis, offering a …

Saccadic Differences In High And Low-Contact Sports, Monica Stapor, Natalia Gierlachowski, Chao Shi, Stanley Hunter, Michael Hunter, Isiah Turner, Fabiha Islam, Vipul Lugade

Research Days Posters 2025

Young athletes competing in high-contact sports are more susceptible to mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) than those in low-contact sports. Such injuries can result in neurological deficits, including saccadic dysfunction and smooth pursuit deficits, which can potentially interfere with everyday activities. This study utilized eye-tracking technology (Tobii Pro Glasses 3) to evaluate the preseason saccadic behaviors in high and low-contact sports as well as athletes with and without previous concussions. It was hypothesized that concussed athletes would exhibit a lower saccade count, higher velocity and greater amplitude compared to non-concussed athletes. In high-impact sports, the results demonstrated significant differences in …

Revaluing Work: How The Covid-19 Pandemic Exposed Labor Market Failures And Ubi As A Solution, Denis Khrapko

Research Days Posters 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic forced society to confront a fundamental flaw in labor markets: compensation does not align with social value. Essential workers—healthcare staff, food suppliers, and manual laborers—kept society running yet remained underpaid and overworked, while many white-collar workers retained financial stability and prestige. Beyond waged labor, unpaid contributions like caretaking, child-rearing, and household labor remain invisible in economic accounting despite their necessity for social reproduction and well-being. This project examines how the pandemic exposed the systemic undervaluation of both essential and uncompensated labor and explores Universal Basic Income (UBI) as a corrective measure. Drawing from "Revaluing Work after COVID-19", …

Martin Luther King, Jr.’S Path To Guaranteed Income: Examining His Motivations, Owen Greene

Research Days Posters 2025

With the recent surge in popularity of universal basic income, Martin Luther King, Jr. 's advocacy for a guaranteed income from 1965 until his assassination in 1968, has received heightened interest. Scholars including Tommie Shelby, Roger Bruns, and Jonathan Eig have pointed to numerous factors behind his support for the policy, including unrest due to the Vietnam War, the controversial Moynihan Report, and King’s work with the civil rights movement. Drawing on King’s public addresses, books, and essays, this paper argues for the importance of his evolving understanding of economic conditions and his direct work in impoverished urban neighborhoods as …

Campus Community Partnerships To Reduce Asthma Burden In A Local Community, Grace Donnelly, Arinola Ajagbe, Margaret Furman, Doris Gan, Hayden Marin, Jessica Ngo, Allison Pham, Jennie Po, Stephanie Ray-Offor

Research Days Posters 2025

Avoidable ER visits due to asthma stress an overburdened healthcare system. Shortened primary care visits, appointment delays, and lack of access related to insurance leave minimal opportunity for asthma education. Community partnerships between Nursing Schools, community organizations, and local schools can address this need to improve health outcomes for a community. Undergraduate students are certified by ALA as program facilitators to provide asthma education in schools. Through this training, students acquire community and population health skills, and develop a broader asthma education framework to achieve a greater reach for children and youth with asthma. 368 undergraduate students have been trained …

The Effect Of Diet And Exercise On Mental Distress And Self-Motivation, Gavin Tuosto, Nicole Wong, Tessa Blasio, Allison Falvo, Madison Byun

Research Days Posters 2025

Mood and self-motivation are critical components of mental well-being and daily function. Diet and exercise have been shown to influence mood, stress tolerance, and cognitive function. This study analyzes the relationship between diet and exercise on mental distress and self-motivation. An anonymous online survey was administered through Google Forms. A total of 182 individuals completed the survey, which included questions on the frequency and quality of exercise, consumption of specific food groups, mood, and self-motivation. The survey was sent out using social media platforms. Data was analyzed using Pearson’s Correlation Analysis SPSS version 28.0. Results showed a positive correlation between …