Introducing Relationality To Design Research, Jananda Lima

Pluriversal Design Conference Series

The Design Eurocentric legacy shaped its research practices based on separability and objectification. This paper seeks to reflect on the movement of experimenting and conceiving new methods as the beginning of major changes in the decolonizing design enterprise. The reflection stems from two main concepts: relationality and accountability. By going into the field, embodying other ontologies and epistemologies, I suggest that dismantling assumptions is an enriching and often painful process. It is by embracing uncomfortable positions and by unlearning that designers are able to reimagine design practices for decoloniality. This reflexive exercise is shaped as a conversation between my personal …

Approaching Ubuntu In Education Through Bottom-Up Decolonisation, Maren Seehawer, Kenneth Mlungisi Ngcoza, Zukiswa Nhase, Sipho Nimrod Nuntsu

Pluriversal Design Conference Series

In our paper we contrast the idea(l) of an education that aims at community and planetary wellbeing with the current educational reality in South Africa. Drawing on our initiatives to integrate local indigenous knowledges (including use of home language) with the Western curriculum we address the question how to approach educational transformation despite and within the given educational context. We do this through telling our narrative stories as well as reflections on our research project geared towards bottom-up decolonisation. We offer this paper as an invitation to researchers worldwide to engage in scholarly debate around issues on decolonisation.

Rattle Detection – An Automotive Case Study, Orla Hartley

International Conference on Lean Six Sigma

This case study showcases the use of statistical tools to develop an objective Squeak and Rattle (S&R) measurement and detection test for End Of Line (EOL) sign off in an automotive manufacturing environment. Audio Induced S&R is an unwanted vibration within the vehicle caused by the sound system, impacting on customer perception of vehicle quality. Testing for S&R in an automotive environment has a key challenge; how to robustly detect a rattle at the EOL and thus prevent plant escapes to the customer. The objective test developed used microphones and analysers in order to replace an e subjective listening test. …

Undercover Heroines: The Role Of Women In The Oss, Alexander Pearson

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

Women played significant roles in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. Aline Griffith’s memoir The Spy Wore Red: My Adventures as an Undercover Agent in World War II recounts her work in preparation for the southern invasion of France following D-day, known as Operation Dragoon. Other written accounts from other female agents indicate that the leadership in Washington wanted women to fulfill traditional gender roles. For example, William J. Donovan stated that women in the OSS should be “behind desks and filing cases in Washington, invisible apron strings of an organization which touched every theater of …

“Now It’S All Simple:” Ideology And Solidarity In Mckay’S Romance In Marseille, Reilly Flynn

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

Survival strategy, or an individual’s chosen method of living with dignity and security in an oppressive social order, can be viewed as a reflection of identity. Claude McKay’s recently published 1932 novel Romance in Marseille presents a wide variety of survival strategies practiced by many diasporic Africans. These characters hail from a variety of backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, and disability statuses, but they are nevertheless united by common class conditions. Through this, solidarity and shared ideology emerge. Solidarity is crucially an important revolutionary force, but it is not infallible. With an eye on manifestations of ideology and identity in …

'Household Managers': Women's Employment In Japan, Elizabeth Gaver

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

Despite modern Japan’s evident economic success, persisting inequality between men and women is still apparent in the work field, furthered by societal expectations that drive women away from employment and overwork men. This presentation argues the causes of inequality for women in the work field, including societal expectations and the two-track system, as well as analyzes the effects on women’s lifestyle and careers, including the wage gap and prevalence of non-standard employment. Furthermore, this presentation argues the increasingly detrimental effects of employment inequality on Japanese society as a whole, such as the declining fertility rate. Lastly, this paper will focus …

The Committee On Public Information And The Four Minute Men: How The United States Sold A European War To American People, Madison Mcternan

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

Shortly after America’s entry into World War I, President Woodrow Wilson created the Committee on Public Information to garner public support for the War. This committee was created not only to drum up support for the war, but to ease a public frustrated by an isolationist president’s entry into such a conflict. Notable reporter and writer George Creel served as its chairman, and together with countless others created a massive propaganda campaign. The Committee was incredibly successful in its mission of “selling the war.” This was largely due to the fact that Creel and his men revolutionized the way propaganda …

A Safavid Royal Bathhouse Uncovered: Re-Evaluation Of The Sa‘Ādatābād Garden Of Qazvin With New Archaeological Evidence, Sean Silvia

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

In 2019, archaeologists broke ground at the site of Shah Ṭahmāsp I’s Sa’ādatābād in Qazvin, a royal garden and palace complex finished in 1557. There they discovered remains of a Safavid bathhouse. There have been many recent efforts to reconstruct Sa’ādatābād as it originally was, but none of them include the recently unearthed baths in their models. The archaeological team’s dig reports also do not perform this sort of analysis. This paper will consider historical and archaeological evidence to incorporate the bathhouse discovery into the reconstruction of Sa’ādatābād. It will situate the baths within the context of a garden city, …

8:46, Riell Swann

MAD-RUSH Undergraduate Research Conference

The multimedia poetic work, 8:46, attempts to shed light on the lengthy history of systemic racism in America. Through curated images meant to visually represent the spoken word, this creative piece guides the viewer through this reality via the eyes of the most enigmatic and stereotyped figures of modern times, a young black man. This poetic work seeks to enlighten others, as to potentially cultivate a bridge of understanding and empathy. Despite background, creed, or color, discussion of the issues is the most direct method towards progress. Through the use of text and imagery, the hope of this poetic work …

Historic Foundations For Religious Freedom And Their Inherent Conflicts, Gaylen P. Leverett

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

Decades ago, when this essayist and his wife wished to transform their old bedroom into a modern “primary bedroom,” the plan was to build a bathroom right next to it from the ground up. The city inspector required the addition’s foundation to be attached so firmly to the foundation of the original house that it would be impossible for one foundation to shift without causing the same shift in the other. That directions were followed and the addition proved stable. Most people understand the need for the city ordinance which regulates new foundations for “additions.” However, when it comes to …

America Shared, Or Separate? How Martin Luther King And Malcolm X Illuminate Conceptions Of Race Today – And Where We Go From Here, Sarah A. Wall

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

In an effort to unearth the roots of disparate conceptions of race in 21^st-century America, this paper analyzes two oppositional paradigms in the Civil Rights Movement – Integrationism and Black Nationalism. The Integrationist movement, led by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., worked towards a shared America, a multiracial nation in which full citizenship and dignity was bestowed on every individual regardless of skin color. Integrationism was recognized even by its opponents as the Christian answer to segregation and inequality. Its commitment to nonviolence won hearts and minds throughout the latter half of the 20^th century, becoming the …

Intersectionality And The American Church, Rachel Solsman

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

In recent decades, the advent of ideologies such as Liberation Theology and Critical Race Theory have spurred dialogue and societal changes in the United States. These beliefs have set the stage for a new wave of Christianity in contemporary culture. In order to determine how these theories fit in with traditional orthodox Christianity, it is necessary to understand their respective beliefs, values, and worldviews.

The Great Awokening, Samuel C. Smith

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

The Great “Awokening”[1]

“Were you to see him in his most violent agitations, you would be apt to think that he was a madman just broke from his chains.”—Boston Evening Post on James Davenport, Aug. 2, 1742.

“I'm actually not a fan of the word 'woke.' I think the connotation of that means being socially aware, which is a beautiful thing to be. But it does not take into account being self-aware.”—India Arie

Most of my historical research has been on The First Great Awakening, an eighteenth-century revival movement that played a major role in shaping the …

Civil Disobedience From A Biblical Perspective, Gabriel Reed

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

To say that civil disobedience is a complicated topic is to severely understate the topic. It is a subject matter that has derived many different and disparate opinions, points of view, and public policies. Specifically, within America today, we observe calls for civil disobedience from both sides of the political spectrum, over several divergent political ideals. These issues are, primarily, driven from both sides’ desire to provide protection and provision for the oppressed and those who cannot necessarily speak for themselves. The definition of who is necessarily oppressed and whom their oppressors are varies from person to person, regardless of …

Double Helix, Katie Patrick

Symposium of Student Scholars

The human body can be an exceptional vessel to interpret and express historical ideas through the art of dance. Rosalind Franklin is the scientist who captured the famous Photograph 51- the first photo taken that revealed DNA’s three-dimensional structure - and made groundbreaking discoveries in the area of molecular biology. This piece will be a study of her life as she fought anti-Semitism during World War II, sexism in her field of study, and ovarian cancer that eventually led to her untimely passing; as well as a celebration of her discoveries on DNA, disease control, and her love for travel. …

Internships And The Job Market: How Remote Work Affects College Student’S Careers., Francisco Orozco

Symposium of Student Scholars

A Pandemic and the Effects on Internships and Career Opportunities for College Students

In 2019, a leading online comparison resource called Compare Camp reported that 56.1% of college students that completed an internship were able to find entry-level, full-time employment. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has added a new variable to the equation the employment of college students and for college interns–the structure of the “workplace” has changed and will likely keep changing. According to a study done by Owl Labs, 70% of full-time employees are working from home using a remote work platform and 80% of these employees expect to …

Agent Eve: A Look Into Women In Espionage, Léla Calixte

Symposium of Student Scholars

Agent Eve: A look into women in espionage

Known as the eyes of the Pharaoh by the ancient Egyptians, the ancient craft of espionage was historically a job held by male civil servants. Nevertheless, I wanted to focus on the women who paved the way for others in secret intelligence and selected individuals from differing backgrounds and political allegiances in a project to curate a learning module suitable for K-12 and university students. During my research period at the Museum of the Holocaust and History Education and Kennesaw State University, I was drawn to two women’s stories: Josephine Baker, an …

Manumission In Virginia: The Anti-Slavery Legacy Of John Lynch, Stephen A. Langeland

Helm's School of Government Conference - 2021-2024

This paper is in no way an apology for the institution of slavery in any form. In fact, it is a reiteration of Biblical doctrine and natural rights philosophy that posit all humans are created equal. The institution of slavery knew few bounds throughout recorded history and was as ubiquitous and durable as the activities of marriage or warfare, practiced by every culture and religion (Drescher 2009, 7-8, 12-39). Negro slavery specifically was an institution in all colonies of the New World at some point in history (Davis 1969, vii). The morality of slavery was an unquestioned fact of life …

Session 2: Panel 1: Presenter 1 (Paper) -- The Struggle Of The Soul Medieval Women Mystics And The Constraints Of The Orthodoxy, Kasaundra A. Bonanno

Young Historians Conference

First Corinthians 14:34 tells us, “let your women keep silence in the churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak.” But what happened when medieval women in the 12-15th centuries did speak, and what techniques did they apply to gain credibility? This paper explores the various methods (along with cultural aspects such as the appearance of piousness) women mystics utilized to gain power within the Church in a time when their voices were silenced, and the factors that allowed individuals such as Catherine of Siena to gain incredible influence where individuals like Joan of Arc were burned at …

Session 2: Panel 3: Presenter 4 (Paper) -- Internment: The Legal Challenges And Effects Of Displacement On Japanese Americans, Arianna S. Sinlapasai-Okamura

Young Historians Conference

Although the history of Executive Order 9066 and the subsequent Japanese-American internment is well known, the legal struggles against the internment process and the consequences of that displacement are often overlooked. In an attempt to end policies that were primarily motivated by racial prejudice, four first-generation Japanese Americans took it upon themselves to appeal four different cases to the Supreme Court. However, it was not until the decision of the last of the four Supreme Court cases, Ex Parte Endo, that Japanese Americans received even a sliver of justice for the discrimination they had faced. Having lost their work, homes, …

Session 2: Panel 1: Presenter 2 (Paper) -- Pope Leo X And The St. Peter’S Indulgence: The Accidental Path To Reformation And Church Fragmentation, Charlotte Levine

Young Historians Conference

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, the concept of of Original Sin has defined prayer and ritual. As this idea evolved throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, its teachings proved to be profitable, as exemplified by the creation of indulgences. This paper examines the sale of indulgences for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Basilica under the jurisdiction of Pope Leo X from 1515–1518, and its implications on the Catholic Church’s splintering authority in Western Europe. As a direct effect of the use of indulgences for financial gain, Martin Luther wrote and presented his Ninety Five Theses, an event widely …

Session 2: Panel 2: Presenter 1 (Paper) -- A Brief History Of Footwear, Tobias B. Boudreau

Young Historians Conference

The use of footwear as a unit of analysis will help historians re-evaluate the relationship between technological diffusion and culture. Shoes are a common item across the globe, regardless of geographical, cultural, and economic divisions, and have been for a long time. Footwear reflects the sociopolitical, economic, and cultural environment of its owner, as well as characteristics of the owner themself. Shoes have taken on significant symbolic roles in art, literature, and everyday life. Essay is divided into four sections; Prehistory, Ancient, Middle Ages, Modern. Various examples from each time period are explained, compared with one another, and connected together …

Session 2: Panel 2: Presenter 3 (Paper) -- Silver Mining And Commerce: Initiation Of The Global Economy, Celeste Johnson

Young Historians Conference

Silver was the metal that initiated interdependence throughout the world; establishing connections between all sectors of the globe. From as early as 3,000 BCE, to the present day, silver production has uniquely inspired the way our modern society has formed and how it functions. Silver’s influence can be tracked through three epochs of time: 3,000 BCE - 1500 CE, 1400-1800, and 1850-present. During the earliest period, introductory mining practices, cross-cultural trade, methods of processing technology, and the beginning of coins, are shown in relation to select societies to demonstrate impacts and influence—the Egyptians, the Greek Empire, the Roman Empire, and …

Session 2: Panel 1: Presenter 3 (Paper) -- Hunting Power Through Witch Hunts In Early Modern Scotland, Devika D. Narendra

Young Historians Conference

Witch hunts occurred throughout early modern Europe and few countries were unaffected by the rampant prosecution of “witches.” Although many places experienced such witch hunts, Scotland uniquely saw a rapid increase in witch trials during the reign of King James the VI. The King, who prior to ascending the throne had not expressed interest in the prosecution of witches, suddenly focused his leadership on witch hunts. This paper explores the reasons King James VI increased Scotland’s witch prosecutions. Specifically, this paper analyzes how the increasing witch trials were correlated to various attacks on King James’ power and how the prosecutions …

Session 2: Panel 3: Presenter 1 (Paper) -- Friend Or Foe?: The American Response To The Armenian Genocide, 1890-1920, Mete Bakircioglu

Young Historians Conference

This paper analyzes how the American response to the Armenian Genocide was riddled with neglect, false promises, and selfish intentions. Beginning in the early 20th century, the American public was galvanized in support of Armenians under the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Empire, but Congress prioritized relations with the Empire and passed no foreign policy to ameliorate the plight of Armenians. The United States’ posturing as an international arbiter of justice, especially during the Wilson Administration, was a façade to expand global influence.

Session 2: Panel 3: Presenter 2 (Paper) -- The Anti-Chinese Movement And The Chinese Exclusion Act Of 1882, Melanie Du

Young Historians Conference

The paper goes into detail about the history of the Chinese in America beginning at their first large immigration to the U.S. during the Gold Rush period and ending in the early 1900s when anti-Chinese legislation was finally banned. The focus is on the influence of labor unions on anti-Chinese legislation and how their protests ultimately influenced the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the first of its kind to restrict immigration of an entire race. The paper follows how labor unions were able to develop a regional issue into a national one in order to achieve their goal of …

Session 2: Panel 2: Presenter 2 (Paper) -- The History Of Bathing: A Cross-Cultural Tradition, Ben Iboshi

Young Historians Conference

This essay discusses how bathing practices worldwide have evolved throughout history through cultural interaction. While there is much literature on how bathing practices in specific regions have changed over time, few take a global perspective and track where bathing rituals originate and how they spread. Using bathing as a unit of analysis can reveal interactions and influences between cultures. The essay is divided into three periods in which bathing practices are analyzed: ancient, medieval, and modern. In the ancient period, the spread of Hindu and Buddhist bathing practices is discussed, as well as how Greek bathing practices went on to …

Session 1: Panel 3: Presenter 1 (Paper) -- Fight For Star Wars: The Reagan Doctrine And The Ending Of The Cold War, Roselyn S. Dai

Young Historians Conference

The strenuous conflict between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, which persisted for over four decades, finally came to a close in the early 1990’s, shortly after the presidency of Ronald Reagan. A common assumption is that Reagan’s hardline foreign policies and weapons buildup finally forced the Soviet Union to back down. However, this assumption is only a small portion of the picture. The cause for the ending of the Cold War is a much more nuanced story centered not only around the arms race but also the collapsing Soviet economy and the domestic issues of …

Session 1: Panel 2: Presenter 3 (Paper) -- Nonbinary Significance: Roles And Perceptions Throughout History, Minami S. Powers

Young Historians Conference

Nonbinary people existed in many different cultures and often held special or important roles before their presence was decimated by colonization. Despite this, nonbinary people are still around today, whether with a cultural aspect to their identity or not. In this paper, three cultural examples are given. The hijra of India have been around for a long time, and are considered able to bless people. The British came and enacted laws that led them to be majorly stigmatized, and today they are still struggling to gain acceptance. Similarly, in Indonesia, the bissu have been priests for hundreds of years, and …

Session 1: Panel 1: Presenter 3 (Paper) -- The Alaska Native Claim Settlement Act: The Impact On Alaskan Natives, Madeleine G. Stewart

Young Historians Conference

Alaska Natives have been living on the land that is now known as Alaska since time immemorial. Although that is the case, legally that does not give them immediate rights to the land in the colonial world. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANSCA) was put in place to resolve the aboriginal land claims that were ignored when Alaska became a state in 1959. This forced Alaskan Natives to come together and make an agreement with the United States government. In the end, ANCSA made it possible to exploit the land for natural resources, which greatly impacted and …