Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Operation Metro Surge In Central Minnesota: A Personal Perspective, Pedro A. G. Dos Santos

The Journal of Social Encounters

This essay provides a personal account, grounded in social science intellectual traditions and methods, of Operation Metro Surge and its aftermath in Central Minnesota. Emphasizing the differences between what happened in Central Minnesota (and other rural areas in the state) and what happened in the Twin Cities Metro area, this essay focuses on two events to contextualize the ways in which Operation Metro Surge disrupted the lives of immigrants and of the Minnesotans trying to protect their neighbors.

Debates Over Nonviolence And Violence In History: An Interview With Doug Mcgetchin, Ph.D.

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Patterns Of Age At First Birth And Child Spacing Behaviour Among Women In Ilorin Metropolis, Nigeria, Ismaila O. Orire

The Journal of Social Encounters

Age at first birth influences the length of a woman's reproductive years and affects fertility behavior including choices of child spacing which have profound influence on future population structure and dynamics. This study examines women’s demographic and social characteristics; identified their ages at first birth and relationship with status of marriage; their child spacing behavior; contraceptive usage; and duration of breastfeeding after child birth. Primary source of data was questionnaire administered to women of reproductive age representing three age cohorts whose ages range between 35-44, 25-34 and 15-24 years respectively. Systematic random sampling technique was adopted to ensure representativeness and …

The Vatican’S Moral Voice In The Critical Mineral Era: Does The Vatican Need A Policy Platform For Its Meetings With Mining Ceos?, Raymond Offenheiser, Keith Slack

The Journal of Social Encounters

On January 19, three American Catholic bishops issued a striking warning about the future of American foreign policy, lamenting that it was undermining “the moral foundation for America’s actions in the world.” The bishops responded to a retreat toward transactional, power-centric diplomacy – one where human rights, international solidarity, and the common good are increasingly secondary to narrow national interests. This shift is most evident in the global race for “critical minerals,” – and perhaps nowhere is the need and opportunity for Church moral leadership clearer.

Rethinking Women, Peace And Security In Southern Africa: Patriarchy, Policies, And Perspectives, Kgomotso Komane

The Journal of Social Encounters

Southern Africa is a relatively peaceful region, however, it has witnessed a range of diverse, multiple and ongoing conflicts that have prompted various peace interventions from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), neighbouring countries and international actors. An astounding pattern is revealed when observing the involvements of all the actors in the peace interventions. What is revealed is that, till present day, women remain marginalised in peace processes despite existing structures and policies that reaffirm their rightful participation in these processes. Rethinking women’s role in peace and security is necessary because existing approaches to peace are shaped by patriarchal norms. …

Pax Christi International’S Representation Within International Governmental Organisations, Fr. Paul Lansu, Giulia Bordin

The Journal of Social Encounters

Pax Christi International (PCI) has used its consultative status at the United Nations since 1979 to connect grassroots peacebuilding with international policymaking. Initially focused on disarmament and human rights, PCI contributed to key international treaties and advocated against human rights violations worldwide. Over time, its advocacy expanded to include active nonviolence, ecological justice, sustainable development, and the accompaniment of local peacebuilders. By strengthening collaboration across its global network and enabling partners from conflict-affected regions to engage directly with international institutions, PCI continues to promote human dignity, international law, and a just and lasting peace through inclusive multilateral advocacy.

Genocide By Algorithm In Gaza: Artificial Intelligence, Countervailing Responsibility, And The Corruption Of Public Discourse, Branislav Radeljić

The Journal of Social Encounters

The accelerating integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into military systems[i] raises major concerns across fields such as security studies, international public law, and critical technology studies. As warned in 2023, “[t]he world’s major military powers have begun a race to wire AI into warfare. […] No one is inviting AI to formulate a grand strategy, or join a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But the same seductive logic that accelerated the nuclear arms race could over a period of years, propel AI up the chain of command.”[ii] In the military domain, algorithmic systems function as epistemic …

The Erosion Of International Norms And The Crisis Of Global Leadership In The Era Of Selective Warfare, Farhia Abdi

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Protection Without Power? The Successes And Failures Of Un Civilian Protection In South Sudan, Gatkuoth Lok Gatwich Diet

The Journal of Social Encounters

Since its establishment in 2011, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has been tasked with protecting civilians in the context of ongoing violent conflict and political instability. The mission has recorded some important achievements, especially through the creation of Protection of Civilians (PoC) sites that have provided shelter to hundreds of thousands of displaced people. However, these gains have been accompanied by major limitations. Repeated attacks on PoC sites, continued communal violence, and the inability to prevent large-scale atrocities highlight a persistent gap between mandate and real-world implementation. This essay examines UNMISS’s performance from 2013 to the present, …

Un-African Union Cooperation In Darfur: Multilevel Governance In Action And The Future Of International-Regional Peace Operations, Philip Mutio

The Journal of Social Encounters

This paper will explore the changing dynamics between global and regional governance frameworks using the example of the UN partnership with regional and sub-regional organizations in the management of intricate peace and security issues. The analysis is anchored on the case of African Union–United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), an example of layered governance, to examine the effect of coordination problems, operational difficulties, and joint mission performance in the areas of peace talks, post-conflict reconstruction, and civilian protection. Along with persistent issues including scarce resources, political instability, and disjointed command structures, the report acknowledges significant advancements such as increased …

United Nations Reform: Opportunity For Small And Medium States, Joseph Preston Baratta

The Journal of Social Encounters

The Pact for the Future of 2024, which had been in preparation for years out of general concern for the decline of the United Nations and specifically for the decline of the Sustainable Development Goals, proved a lost opportunity.  The small and medium sized states did not respond officially to proposals for UN reform offered by civil society.  Hence the Pact reaffirmed principles of the existing UN, which at least was not a withdrawal, and the ideas circulated might yet serve some future reform effort.  Proposals considered here include those of the Stimson Center and more radical and systematic ones …

Introduction: Regional And Global Governance: Past, Present And Future, Ron Pagnucco

The Journal of Social Encounters

No abstract provided.

Gender Inequality In The South Korean Workplace : Structural Barriers, Cultural Frames, And Conflicted Responses, Seorin Stella Bak

Proceedings of the New York State Communication Association

Abstract

Drawing on theories of structural inequality, neoliberal ideology, and feminist resistance, the study applies an interdisciplinary framework from media, culture, and communication studies to analyze the mechanisms that sustain gendered disparities in the Korean labor market. South Korea holds the distinction of having the widest gender wage gap among all OECD nations for 30 consecutive years and has ranked last on The Economist's Glass Ceiling Index for eight consecutive years. The World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Gender Gap Report explains that South Korea ranks 94th out of 146 countries (score: 0.696), with a near-perfect score in educational attainment (0.98) …

Preventive Interventions Targeting Social Determinants Of Health: Implications For Healthcare Utilization And Cost, Audrey Wrinkle

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Preventive interventions targeting social determinants of health could reduce avoidable healthcare utilization and positively impact long-term cost outcomes within healthcare systems. Evidence indicates that financial and social barriers to preventive care lead to delayed treatment and increased use of high-cost healthcare services in the long term. Preventive interventions focusing on upstream social factors, like home-based care and digital health programs, could improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable service utilization. Also, incorporating social needs data into policy creation could promote better allocation of healthcare resources. This research highlights the role of prevention-focused strategies in promoting cost-effective, sustainable healthcare delivery.

Determinants Of Ai Adoption In Banking: Evidence From Tunisia, Rahma Khattab, Sami Bacha

Arab Economic and Business Journal

This study investigates the factors influencing customers’ intentions to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) banking services in Tunisa. Building on an integrated framework combining the Technology Acceptance Model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, Theory of Planned Behavior, Perceived Risk Theory, and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study investigates how perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use (, awareness, knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, trust, and perceived risk influence AI adoption intentions. Using survey data from 400 Tunisian retail banking customers and applying regression analysis, the findings show that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norms, and trust positively and …

“Now Serving… Not Quite Yet”: Improving Waiting Room Experience Through Consistent Communication In The Emergency Department, Juan Carlos Serrato

Master's Projects and Capstones

Context: The quality improvement project was implemented in the front-end microsystem of a 36-bed emergency department (ED) in a non-profit, Magnet-designated California hospital. Problem: Communication with non-roomed patients at Hospital X was inconsistent, contributing to dissatisfaction. In June 2026, Press Ganey reported that 61.4% of patients felt they were informed about delays. Baseline observation identified gaps in staff explanations of estimated wait times, next steps in care, and opportunities to ask questions. Intervention: A 30-day pilot provided staff education on the AIDET communication framework through formal in-service education and daily huddles. Patient-facing materials explained the ED process …

Leadership And Character In The Law: An Introduction From Kenneth Townsend, Kenneth Townsend

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Fostering Future Difference-Makers: The Integration Of Leadership Training In Law Schools, Leah Teague

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Obeying In Advance Will Not Save You: How Adaptive Leadership Can Help Legal Education Stay Mission Driven In Times Of Authoritarianism And Fear, Tania Luma

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

What Do We Do At The End Of A World?: Cultivating Emergent Leadership In A Time Of Collapse, Brent Godfrey

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Professional Identity Formation As Theory And As Practice For The Education Of A Lawyer, Louis D. Bilionis, Neil W. Hamilton

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Who’S The Lawyer Now? Professional Identity In A Genai World, Aric K. Short

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Practicing Pietas: Character Development For Lawyers As Citizens, Elisabeth Rain Kincaid

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Conviction, Character, Courage: The Case For Integrating Values Into The Professional Identity Formation Of Tomorrow's Lawyer-Leaders, Katya S. Cronin

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Moral Virtues, Professional Identity, And Leadership, Timothy W. Floyd

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

The Large Impact Of Small Groups On The Character-Based Leadership Development Of Law Students, Benjamin Rigney, Janice Craft

Journal of Legal Education

No abstract provided.

Rickettsia Africae Discovered In A Short-Term Urban Traveller To South Africa: A Case Report, Zunairah Sikder

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

Rickettsia Africae is a pathogen that causes African tick-bite fever (ATBF). Transmission typically occurs from ticks within the Central and South African regions. Previous studies suggested that ATBF is not uncommon amongst travelers to rural sub-Saharan Africa, especially during the rainy months of November through April. However, this case report highlights a woman who contracted ATBF in novel conditions. The 70-year-old woman reported travelling strictly to and from the local church and hotel for her four-day stay in July. After returning to America, the patient experienced extreme irritation on her arm, as well as complaints of headaches. She presented to …

A Message From The Managing Editor, Carissa Bayack

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

A message from the 2025-2026 Managing Editor of the Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal, Carissa Bayack.

Self-State Shifts During Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Associations With Trauma History And The Functions Of Self-Harm, Katie E. Callahan

Dissertations, 2020-current

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a clinically significant behavior associated with substantial psychological distress and elevated suicide risk. Despite considerable research on the emotional triggers and functional implications of NSSI, the internal relational states activated during self-harm remain poorly understood. This study examined shifts in self-directed relational patterns during NSSI episodes using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB) model and Interpersonal Reconstructive Therapy (IRT) theory. A cross-sectional secondary data analysis was conducted with 125 participants who reported current or past NSSI. Residualized change scores were computed to index shifts in self-state between general and NSSI conditions. Measures included the SASB-based …

The Transformation Of Russia’S Foreign Policy Strategy (2022–2025): From Confrontation To Multilateral Normative Leadership, Shafiya Nurkhalisa, Sugeng Riyanto

Jurnal Politik

This study aims to explain the transformation of Russia's foreign policy strategy in the 2022–2025 period from a confrontational-defensive orientation to a strategy oriented towards multilateral normative leadership. Using a qualitative descriptive-explanatory approach with a single case study, this study explores the relationship between systemic pressures due to global sanctions, the re-articulation of strategy in the Foreign Policy Concept 2023, and Russia's involvement in multilateral institutions such as BRICS+, SCO, and G20. The research data are sourced from official documents, collective declarations of multilateral forums, and independent economic reports from the IMF, World Bank, CREA, and Bruegel. The results show …