Midnight's Children: University And The Theft Of The Future, Our Collaborative Inquiry, Sandra Wooltorton, Marianne (Ria) Jago, Vennessa Poelina, Len Collard, Laurie Guimond

Talking Heads Seminar Series

Our collaborative inquiry into First Peoples’ governance unfolds through lived conversations in which Country, kinship, and institutional struggle are inseparable. In our dialogues, governance emerges not as theory, but as the everyday labour of navigating compliance cultures, fractured university systems, and the long fight for Aboriginal knowledge to be recognised and valued across the university, in curriculum, research and governance. These dialogues reveal how trust, relational accountability, and the authority of Country are continually undermined by corporatised structures, yet also how they persist in practice through story, protocol, and shared responsibility. This presentation reflects on how such relational, placeheld conversations …

The Make And Model Of A Hero: Training And Transformation In Sundiata:An Epic Of Old Mali, Anna Stowe

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali through the lens of the hero’s journey, tracing the boyhood, exile, and transformation of Sundiata as he prepares to restore Mali to peace and prosperity. Leadership is both an individual calling and a communal responsibility; true rulers depend not only on personal strength but also on the support and guidance of others. While in exile, Sundiata receives military, political, and supernatural training, all of which shape his identity as the epic’s hero and equip him to achieve his destiny. These trials mirror the stages of growth and preparation found in scripture. …

Volume 12 Full Text, Bjur Staff

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Social And Emotional Health In Older Adults Through Dance, Carly Dell

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This research seeks to understand how to adapt to the needs of older adults in dance classes and answer the question, How can a dance curriculum be devised to increase social-emotional connection and well-being for senior adults? Utilizing autoethnographic research methods and qualitative surveys, this study followed residents at the Gracepoint Wellness Facility in Tampa, Florida, as they participated in sixteen weeks of dance classes that utilized Brain Compatible Dance Education methods.

The Despot: The Construction Of Tipu Sultan As An Oriental Despot In English Painting, Lilly M. Warren

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper examines British-produced artworks that propagandized the idea of “Oriental despotism” and how this influenced the British public opinion of the colonial campaign in India. The focus of the paper is the colonial campaign against the Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan (1751–1799) and how the narrative of his reign was deemed despotic and his defeat therefore celebrated in British art. The construction of Tipu Sultan as an Oriental despot in British art and media was one of the greatest propaganda campaigns ever known. The central framework of analysis is the Oriental vs. Occidental perspective theorized by Edward Said. Said’s book …

Where Are They Now?: Chinese Tomboys In The Us, (Fe)Male Masculinity, And Recentering Home Via Queer Migration, Xinyan Mia Tong

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

T/TB (tomboy), as a sociolinguistic category that denotes masculine lesbians in the Chinese-speaking world, has long been criticized by community members and Western academics alike for being too heteronormative and reductive in comparison to the post-identity queer figure in Western gender/sexual discourses. Through the detailed life histories of three T/TBs who moved to the United States for college, I problematize this East/West binary within queer geography and present a more nuanced framework to understanding queer migration and queer globalization. I argue that my interlocutors, while highly diverse in their subjectivities, all strategically evoke the United States, as both a physical …

Mediums Of Influence: Giovanni Pico Della Mirándola And Astrology In The 900 Theses And The Disputations Aganinst Astrological Divination, Troy Burkert

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (c.1463–1494) has long been the subject of study for scholars of the Renaissance and philosophy more generally because of his syncretic philosophy that placed an emphasis on inner contemplation and magical practice. Recently, more focus has been placed on his astrological views and their development. Early in his career, Pico was working in the Neoplatonic framework that was popular in Florence at the time and seemed to accept astrology along with other magical practices it was linked with. Before his death, however, he seemed to reject astrology wholesale with the writing of the Disputations against Astrological …

Effective Indigenous Participation In Renewable Energy Development: An Analysis Of Solar And Hydropower Projects In The Navajo Nation, Zoë T. Noble

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Navajo Nation, a Native American tribe in the southwestern United States, has an extensive history of disenfranchisement by the U.S. government in many areas, including loss of traditional tribal land, systematic water scarcity, and exposure to environmental hazards, as well as the overall exclusion of Indigenous perspectives from decision-making processes. In recent years, the Navajo Nation has been undergoing a transition from fossil fuels, namely coal plants, to renewable electricity generation, with varying degrees of Indigenous participation and success. In this paper, a comparative analysis of the Kayenta and Red Mesa Tapaha Solar projects and the Black Mesa Pumped …

Religious Practices And Spiritual Support In Palliative Medicine, Camille C. Yancey

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Palliative care is a form of healthcare focused on providing pain relief and support to patients facing serious illness. This practice is conducted by a team of healthcare professionals and aims to improve patients’ quality of life in the context of long-term, serious illness. Palliative medicine supports patients with a wide range of diseases, including but not limited to cancer, dementia, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. It focuses on managing symptoms associated with severe conditions, such as pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and stress (Mayo Clinic, 2024). Catering palliative care to include the patient’s religious and spiritual beliefs would benefit symptom …

Exploring Gender As An Analytical Framework In The 2018-2019 Revolution And Ongoing Civil War: The Role Of Gendered Violence And Sudanese Women's Resistance, Ami John

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper will interrogate the intersection of gender, war, and political upheaval within Sudan while focusing on the role of women in both the 2019 resistance and the ongoing conflict and revolution. By the end of 2018, mass protests had called for the ousting of Omar al-Bashir, the long-standing Sudanese president. This event set off a chain reaction which led to events that fueled the long-standing rivalry between the two militant groups that were active in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The tension caused by this rivalry created unforeseen circumstances for the local …

Curing Mermaidism: Exploring Disability, Gender And Performativity In The Little Mermaid And Its Adaptation, Sophia M. Shelley

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Fairy tales are a contested space in popular culture, often reinforcing hegemonic gender norms while offering sites of resistance. This paper examines Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid (1837) and Disney’s The Little Mermaid (1989) through feminist disability theory to explore how these stories depict the compulsion to perform able-bodiedness and heteronormativity to achieve social belonging. This paper argues that although both versions offer moments of queer and disabled subversion, they ultimately reinforce a cultural fantasy of normative embodiment by positioning mermaids as inherently Other and subhuman. Grounded in the work of scholars such as Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, Judith Butler, and …

Wallflowers, Misfits, And Gender Nonconformists: Roller Derby As A Refuge, Kate Clement

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This article explores how roller derby serves as a unique space for queer women and gender minorities to foster community and build “found families,” engage in activism, and practice self-expression, from its creation in 1935 to the present. This study will outline the unusual historical context that allowed the sport to evolve radically differently from other professional sports, twentieth-century feminine beauty standards and their role within the era’s roller derby, the inclusive nature of its modern bylaws, and the lived experiences of queer roller derby athletes. Utilizing a wide range of primary sources, including oral history interviews of current roller …

Reclaiming The Past: Contextualizing The Role Of Women And Gender In Celtic Paganism, Angus Mccolloch

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

This article evaluates the role of women and gender in pre-Christian Celtic paganism and how these concepts can be applied to the modern era, building on the prior understanding that Celtic women had more freedoms than other women during their time. I utilize archaeological findings, primary sources, and scholarly sources to develop an understanding and interpretation of how women and gender were perceived by the communities who observed and practiced these ancient belief systems. I argue, through the study of Celtic women ranging from figures in their mythologies to physical artifacts and accounts, that these women had a more significant …

Aces As A Risk Factor For Behavioral Addictions: A Literature Review, Kyla Smith

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Much like substance use disorder, behavioral addictions have been shown to have an association with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). This relationship may be mediated by other variables, however, making ACEs a risk factor for behavioral addictions. This literature review includes almost thirty journal articles written in the past 15 years that explore the role of mediators in the relationship between ACEs and behavioral addictions. A significant number of studies investigate the role of mediators with problematic internet use, problematic social media use, and problematic smartphone use, which supports the possibility of ACEs being a risk factor for internet-based behavioral addictions. …

Mental Health And Coping Mechanisms Of College Students At Hispanic-Serving Institutions During And After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Denisse J. Aguilar Michel

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students have faced increased mental health issues and heightened stress. Prior studies have shown that Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) students, in particular, experienced a disproportionate impact due to the pandemic. While much research has focused on the pandemic’s impact on college students, little is known about its impact on BIPOC college students attending Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) during (2019–2022) and after (2024) the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the small sample size, Hispanic versus non-Hispanic analyses were not conducted. This study investigates the perceived impact of the pandemic on students’ mental health …

Front Matter And Table Of Contents, Bjur Staff

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Factors Influencing Certified Nursing Assistant Fatigue In Urban And Rural Counties, Catherine Carr

Butler Journal of Undergraduate Research

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are highly vulnerable to fatigue as they continue to be faced with challenges such as understaffing and long hours, working to take care of people in all types of healthcare facilities; however, the most influential factors of fatigue as it pertains to their specific environment have yet to be elucidated. This study investigates the factors influencing CNA fatigue in urban and rural counties to determine which factors have the most significant impact, as well as whether the type of county contributes to differences in prevalence. A rapid qualitative analysis was conducted using interviews regarding the experience …

80 Mots Du Viêtnam: Anna Moï, Vietnamese-French Relation, And “Littérature-Monde”, Ngọc Hải Nguyễn '26

Global Languages Research Symposium

On March 15, 2007, 44 different Francophone authors signed the manifesto Towards a World Literature in French (Simon trs., 2010), following the publication of their anthology of essays published under the same title (Pour une littérature-monde en français, LeBris et Rouaud dir., 2007). The manifesto claims the end of the division between French literature and Francophone literature—being the division between French literature by authors born in France and by authors not born in France, but uses the French language due to various reasons (primarily colonialism and education). However, the manifesto did fall into what some might deem a heated debate, …

Collegiate Experiences Of Genderqueer And Nonbinary Youth, Angela Clark-Taylor, Alexandra Kay Hicks, Heather Johnson

New York Journal of Student Affairs

This study explores the collegiate experiences of genderqueer and nonbinary students, frequently marginalized in higher education research. While scholarship on transgender students has expanded, it often centers on binary identities, thereby excluding those who identify outside the man-woman dichotomy. This research responds to that gap by asking: What are the experiences of nonbinary students in college? Drawing on in-depth interviews with six genderqueer and nonbinary undergraduate students, the study amplifies their voices to challenge dominant gender norms and essentialist narratives within academic spaces. Participants shared experiences of systemic erasure, invalidation, and microaggressions, as well as the resilience and strategies they …

Comments From The Editor, Robert M. Mangione, Susan V. Iverson

New York Journal of Student Affairs

Editor comments for Volume 26.

Minecraft: A Retrospective, Kylie Salinger

Pepperdine Journal of Communication Research

This speech explores Minecraft as more than a popular sandbox video game, framing it as a creative, narrative-rich, and culturally influential platform that has shaped how players interact with virtual worlds. Beginning with the game’s simple mechanics and origins, the work examines Minecraft’s deeper lore, including its progression through multiple dimensions and the philosophical implications of the End Poem. It also highlights fan-driven theories suggesting a complex, hidden history within the game’s world-building. Finally, the piece analyzes the reasons behind Minecraft’s enduring success, emphasizing its multiplayer connectivity, resurgence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and immersive musical design. Ultimately, the essay argues …

Efficient Energy Management In Networked Microgrids Using Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning In The Presence Of Uncertainties, Ayodele Benjamin Chukwuyem

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Microgrid technology is essential in facilitating the transition to smart energy grids in developed countries and mitigating energy poverty in developing countries, particularly in areas where grid extensions are not feasible. Recently, the concept of networked microgrids (NMGs) has garnered tremendous attention due to the plausibility of interactions among interconnected microgrids leading to power networks that are more resilient, reliable, and stable. However, because each microgrid has diverse distributed generation resources (renewables and controllable generators) and each microgrid operator (MO) has different objectives, coordinated energy management is required to satisfy local and system-wide goals under conditions with significant uncertainty. Existing …

Toward Healing And Justice: Building Equitable Relationships With Community Archives In El Salvador, Giada Ferrucci, Amanda Oliver, Tom Belton, Fernando Chacon

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

The article examines an archival component of a larger research initiative. Surviving Memory in Postwar El Salvador is a multidisciplinary, cross-sector partnership. The overall methodology of the project is participatory and survivor-centered. It aims to document and commemorate the history of the Salvadoran Civil War (1980-1992) and prevent future violence. The component of the Surviving Memory partnership the authors describe in this article elucidates the crucial importance of community archival practices undertaken to support memory, healing, and justice in El Salvador. The authors are co-investigators and collaborators who have supported the work of community archivists in El Salvador through a …

Reflections On Language And Translation: Toward A "Translation Turn" In Archival Studies, Fiorella Foscarini

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

As the dominant lingua franca, the English language acts as an invisible, hegemonic force that exerts a strong influence over the framing of the global world. By using English unreflexively in research, education, and professional cross-cultural exchanges, we may unwittingly support unequal power structures, the homogenization of research, and the marginalization of traditions and knowledge systems based on languages other than English. In most cases where translation is involved, the translating act is treated as a fait accompli or a mere technical process, without acknowledging that exact equivalence is impossible to achieve, and that translation has important epistemological, methodological, …

Teach And Care: How Community-Centered Archival Practice May Transform Education, Archives, And Community History, Thuy Vo Dang

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

Academic librarians and archivists may work toward transforming education, archives, and community history (TEACH) through implementing a CARE approach. This includes a commitment to critical, liberatory, and person-centered praxis in archives co-creation and partnership with community organizations at the frontlines of documenting and preserving marginalized histories. Caring, in the archival context, begins with an acknowledgement of the harm mainstream archival institutions have caused for minoritized groups and then moving towards implementation of non-extractive, flexible and ethical partnership and/or stewardship of historical and cultural heritage materials. Caring also demands critical, rigorous, ongoing commitments to activation of the archival records by centering …

The Dwellings Of Ybor City Project: Using Archival Recovery And Mapping To Examine Historical Erasure, Stephanie M. Mackin

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

This article examines how digital archives and spatial humanities can address historical erasure. It focuses on reconstructing the lost residential landscapes of Ybor City, a culturally significant Tampa, Florida, neighborhood. The area was transformed by mid-twentieth-century slum clearance and urban renewal. The Dwellings of Ybor City project uses archival theory, participatory ethics, and GIS-based storytelling to geolocate and reinterpret a Depression-era album called "Photographs Showing Dwellings in the Ybor Slum Area." By pairing digitized historical photographs with contemporary rephotography and mapping them to their original sites, the project restores visibility to homes and neighborhoods largely erased from both the physical …

Evaluating The Impact Of Evidence-Based Education On The Utilization Of Preoperative Gastric Ultrasound For Patients On Glp-1 Agonists, Rachel K. Gibbons, Wesley Johnson, Rachel Cartillar

Create@State

Abstract

Patients taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have a 30.5% higher prevalence of retained gastric contents at the time of surgery despite being held according to ASA and AANA recommendations, highlighting the need for enhanced preoperative assessment to reduce aspiration risk (Sen et al., 2024; Willson et al., 2024). Although an effective, noninvasive tool for assessing gastric contents and reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration, gastric ultrasound remains underutilized in anesthesia practice (Pan et al., 2024). This evidence-based project evaluated whether an educational intervention could improve anesthesia providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to adopt point-of-care gastric ultrasound (POC-GUS) into …

From Sequence To Skill: Building Argumentative Writers Through Structured Inquiry, Elizabeth Huffmaster

Create@State

This research project examines the National Writing Project’s College, Career, and Community Writers’ Program (C3WP) and other resources that assist teachers in developing a multi-lesson argumentative writing instructional sequence. The project curated the entire process of writing an argumentative essay with pre-selected topics and resources for students to explore as small groups in order to contribute to class-wide discussion(s), which connect to the Self-Regulation and Constructivism learning theories. In addition to the outline of an instructional sequence, student resources such as guided note organizers and a peer-review rubric were developed, demonstrating how teachers adapt instructional materials. The significance of this …

Planning To Preserve: Creating A Digital Preservation Roadmap At A Small Archive, Amanda Garfunkel

Journal of Contemporary Archival Studies

The preservation of electronic records according to best practices can seem overwhelming for archives with limited staff and resources. Creating a digital preservation implementation plan is a thoughtful exercise that allows archivists from a broad range of institutions to articulate achievable goals and create a roadmap towards a mature digital preservation program. Using tools that are flexible will help small repositories take the first step towards better stewardship of their electronic records. This article will discuss the creation of a digital preservation implementation plan at a small institution that includes activities such as surveys, benchmarking, and creating documentation. Practical steps …

Russian Linguistic Policy In The Post-Soviet World, Payton G. Deichler

The Dialogue

This paper examines the role of the Russian language as an instrument of soft power in the post-Soviet space, arguing that its geopolitical influence extends beyond demographic prevalence to the institutional frameworks through which it is promoted and mediated. Rather than functioning solely as a neutral medium of communication, Russian operates as an infrastructural component of influence that shapes access to media ecosystems, educational systems, and professional mobility across former Soviet republics. Drawing on the concept of a “Monopoly of Interpretation,” this study proposes that the centralized, state-linked promotion of Russian enables the consolidation of political narratives within shared linguistic …