Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

What Factors Impact Domestic Violence Across The 50 U.S States?, Elizabeth Gonzalez

Posters - 2025

* 50% of women seen in emergency departments report a history of abuse

* 5 million acts of Domestic Violence occur annually to woman aged 18 yrs and older

Attachment And Culture: Exploring Relationship Satisfaction, Lizbeth Carbajal

Posters - 2025

- Suggests that communication patterns related to attachment impact relationship satisfaction (Domingue & Mollen, 2009). -Latinx cultural values influence attachment-related conflict behaviors and relationship satisfaction (Guerrido, 2017). -Secure attachment leads to healthier conflict resolution and greater satisfaction (Pistole, 1989). The purpose is to analyze existing research on how attachment styles impact conflict resolution strategies in romantic relationships and determine whether cultural background (Latinx vs. non-Latinx) and relationship length influence these behaviors. Hypotheses H1: The quality of a relationship is mentioned more frequently than other themes when examining previous literature. H2: Cultural influences are discussed more frequently than relationship length in …

Policy Pathways To Energy Transition: A Comparative Perspective On Portugal And The Netherlands, Anna Atticks

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

This research examines the implementation of European Union (EU) directives—specifically, the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD), the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and the Renewable Energy Sources Directive (RED)—in Portugal and the Netherlands. While both countries operate under the jurisdiction of the EU, adopting necessary EU climate mandates, Portugal and the Netherlands implement unique national strategies to achieve the relevant targets. Specifically, each country’s strategy is primarily shaped by its geographical location, socioeconomic characteristics, and institutional capacity. Utilizing the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework and two economic theories, including the Pigouvian Taxation Theory and the Porter Hypothesis, this study assesses how fiscal instruments, …

Enhancing Urban Water Drainage In Avenida Da Liberdade: Evaluating Green Spaces And Sustainable Infrastructure In Lisbon’S Master Drainage Plan, Eva Asfahani

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

Lisbon’s Plano Geral de Drenagem de Lisboa (PGDL) represents a major step toward modernizing the city’s drainage system in response to growing environmental pressures. This paper explores how sustainable infrastructure, particularly nature-based solutions such as Green-Blue Infrastructure, are incorporated into the PGDL, with a focus on the Avenida da Liberdade area. Through a combination of literature review, fieldwork, and interviews with municipal officials, the research evaluates the environmental, economic, and social benefits of integrating decentralized, sustainable drainage systems alongside traditional gray infrastructure. Findings show that while the PGDL makes important progress in reducing flood risk and improving water quality, spatial …

Meals That Matter: Funding Minnesota's Senior Nutrition Programs To Promote Wellbeing As We Age, Kelly Brancamp, Susan Panciera, Amanda Rieke, Abi Santiago

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Senior nutrition programs meet the essential needs of adults aged 60 and over, especially those who are low-income, live in rural areas, have limited English proficiency and are at risk of requiring higher levels of care without these services. In many greater Minnesota counties, over 25% of the population is aged 65 or older. Rural communities are aging more rapidly and face higher rates of food insecurity compared to urban and suburban areas.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Surgeon General issued a 2023 advisory report highlighting the critical issue of social isolation and loneliness. Senior nutrition programs …

Chronic School Absenteeism: A Symptom, Not A Sentence, Zahra Mohamed, Jessica Navarro, Kelsey Ogren, Eloise Reitzel, Katelyn Vonch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Chronic school absenteeism has long been a persistent issue, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this challenge. Chronic absenteeism leads to poor academic outcomes and lower graduation rates, which limit future opportunities and potential. While many school districts have traditionally responded through child protection services (CPS) or juvenile court proceedings, these punitive strategies do not address the root causes of absenteeism or reduce barriers to school attendance. CPS resources are stretched thin, focused on more urgent child welfare issues, and should not be diverted to issues that can be better addressed through supportive, preventative strategies. Implementing proactive, supportive strategies rather …

Expand The Employ Program, Isabelle Berg, Emily Rohlik, Jesse Spencer, Samantha Tohal

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Each year, roughly 600,000 individuals are released from state and federal prisons; 6,960 in Minnesota alone. After incarceration, employment is vital to successful reentry for justice-impacted individuals, yet many depart without the necessary education and skills. Consistent post-release employment is associated with decreased recidivism rates, regardless of the individual’s criminal record. This population deserves support in preparing for employment upon reentry.

Investing In Minnesota Families: Strengthening Support For Kinship Caregivers, Karla Fahey, Laura Gebur, Jadyn Nelson-Spies, Kenzie Schuch

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

Kinship caregivers are falling through the cracks, lacking ongoing support and safety services for children and their caregivers. Kinship diversion caregivers and their children do not receive services and support that licensed foster caregivers might receive such as financial assistance, reunification efforts, and safety monitoring. Pursuing kinship in policy and practice needs to be a priority to keep families together, allowing children to feel a sense of belonging and identity, preserving cultures and traditions, and promoting equity among families. While efforts have been made in many states to increase support for kinship caregivers and reduce the barriers to licensing within …

No Free Labor: Pushing For The Eradication Of Unpaid Internships In Minnesota, Morgan Bruhn, Kaylee Cincoski, Jenna Host, Hollie Mclaughlin

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

The continued lack of paid internships exploits social work students and directly undermines the core values of the profession. To address this injustice, the NASW-MN Chapter’s 2025 legislative priorities call for the creation and funding of paid social work internships, ensuring education is not only affordable and accessible but also ethically grounded and free from exploitation. Equitable compensation is not optional, it is an ethical and economic imperative essential to building a more inclusive and just professional workforce. Minnesota House File 2914 provides a crucial pathway to achieve this goal through a targeted scholarship program.

Home Is Where The Heart Is: Expanding Affordable Housing Access, Amya Enna, Cari Mueske, Charles O'Sullivan, Paul Schreiber

Master of Social Work Student Policy Advocacy Briefs

This policy brief advocates for bold and transformative approaches to address the ongoing housing crisis in Minnesota. One of the most impactful solutions is the passage of the Minnesota Constitutional Amendment for Housing, which would enshrine the right to housing in our state constitution. This legal shift would serve as a foundation for equitable housing policies and sustainable funding for programs that meet the real needs of Minnesotans.

Zero Textbook Cost Syllabus For Com 1010 (Speech Communication) - College Now, Giselle Blanco

Open Educational Resources

This course provides training and practice in the preparation and delivery of original speeches, encourages the use of clear language, develops students' awareness of intellectual and ethical aspects of communication, and promotes critical thinking and academic research. This course is required for all undergraduate degrees granted by Baruch College.

This course is designed to acquaint students with the theory and practice of basic speech communication skills. The focus of the course is on extemporaneous public speaking, with particular emphasis on the speaking situations and genres that students are likely to encounter. Along with formal speeches, the course incorporates other forms …

Moralitas, Pancasila, & Political Homophobia: The Resilience Of The Indonesian Lgbtq+ Community, Madeline Morton

Indonesia: Arts, Religion, and Social Change

In this paper, I attempt to understand Indonesian LGBTQ+ identity. With negative views on LGBTQ+ freedoms prevalent amongst the state, religious institutions, and media, I investigate what degree of visibility and expression can be afforded towards community building and individual expression. I catalogue the historical and legal perspectives which influence the current, lived realities of LGBTQ+ individuals. The concept of an ‘appropriate’ expression of gender and sexuality is learned, dynamic, and entrenched in cultural context. In Indonesia’s case, these understandings are forged through dominant systems of knowledge surrounding gender roles, marriage, and familial structure as connected to a nationalist identity. …

Combating Genocide Denial Through Rwanda’S Foreign Policy, Jonathan R. Beloff

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Rwanda’s foreign policy is still greatly influenced by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, commonly referred to as the Rwanda Genocide. Despite the genocidal massacres ending over thirty years ago, the Rwandan government still perceives its continued threat. Despite tangible threats to the state, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) decline, the concern of the genocide’s lasting ideology and denial still concerns Rwandan policymakers responsible for the nation’s foreign policy and remembrance. This research relies on in-depth fieldwork with various Rwandan government agencies responsible for crafting state security, foreign policy, and anti-genocide policies. It examines …

Food For Thought: The Impact Of The Gut-Brain Axis On Mental Health, Emily S. Miiller

Honors Thesis

Research regarding the role of the human microbiome has grown over the years as professionals develop a better understanding of the gut-brain axis. New studies and expanding knowledge on the relationship between the nervous system and gut microbiome promote a deeper understanding of the impact of diet on mental health. Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy balance between the gut and the brain. Incorporating nutritional modulators, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamins, is crucial for supporting the gut-brain axis by influencing neurotransmitter production, managing inflammation, and promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. On the other hand, …

Let's Grow: Investigating The Relationship Between Houseplants And Mental Health In College Students, Makia G. Adler

Honors Thesis

This literature review explores the potential mental health benefits of houseplants for college students, a population increasingly affected by anxiety and depression. With traditional mental health services strained and often inaccessible, simple and low-cost alternatives are urgently needed. This review examines whether the presence and interaction with houseplants can improve psychological well-being, specifically symptoms of anxiety and depression. Drawing from ten peer-reviewed studies, this review finds a generally positive association between houseplants and mental health, though results vary. Notably, the duration of exposure appears to have little effect, while setting and autonomy in plant interaction are more influential. Interactions in …

74/2 | Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis: The Finds And Conclusions, Gabriel Mazor,, Walid Atrash, Débora Sandhaus

IAA Reports—Monograph Series of the Israel Antiquities Authority

This is the fifth volume of publications of the Bet She’an Archaeological Project, describing the large-scale IAA excavations at the site of Bet She’an–ancient Nysa-Scythopolis, during 1986–2002. Bet She’an V: Hellenistic Nysa-Scythopolis is the second volume presenting the full excavation report of the IAA excavations at Tel Iẓṭabba, conducted between 1991 and 1994. The first volume in this series, Bet She’an IV (IAA Reports 62), focused on two corpora of finds: stamped amphora handles and sealings. The current volume, Bet She’an V, is comprised of two parts (IAA Reports 74/1, 74/2) dedicated to the stratigraphy, architecture and finds from the …

Exploring Ballast Water As A Vector For The Spread Of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, Kathleen Beadling

Masters Theses

Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has led to high mortality rates of reef-building coral species throughout the greater Caribbean region since it was first documented off the coast of Miami in 2014. The pathogen is currently unknown, but it is suspected that ballast water discharge is a vector of disease transmission. As a step towards better understanding SCTLD transmission, this study aimed to identify locations of ballast water exchange that coincide with outbreaks of the disease. Spatial and temporal patterns of SCTLD outbreaks and ballast water exchanges conducted within 50 nautical miles of coastlines were explored using Density-Based Spatial …

Bridging Climatology And Energy: Understanding Michigan’S Wind Speeds For A Sustainable Future, Carson Evans

Masters Theses

This study investigates Michigan wind speeds by combining climatology with wind energy, identifying wind drivers and applying them to wind farm infrastructure. Using eXtreme Gradient BOOSTing (XGBoost), this thesis develops a highly accurate predictive model for wind speeds. Coupled with Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis, it is found that proximity to the nearest Great Lake is the ultimate influencer of wind speeds, followed by local environmental variables and finally remote climate phenomena. Other analyses find wind speeds are greatest near the Great Lakes and during fall and winter, while inland summer wind speeds were lowest. Wind energy infrastructure is assessed …

Centering Users By Design: Implementing An Iterative Usability Testing Program, Lindsey Skaggs

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Libraries are increasingly employing usability testing to inform the design of their websites, discovery layers, and digital services, but designing and facilitating testing can be intimidating for libraries without UX expertise or designated staff. This poster will explain how a librarian designed and facilitated an iterative seven-test Usability Testing Program over one academic year and outline how librarians new to UX can implement a similar program. Results from each test will be shared, demonstrating how the collected data was used to improve the library’s website and discovery layer and center the user experience.

Ai: Initial Responses, More Questions, Rachel E. Scott, Michael Fernandez

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

[In the absence of an abstract the opening of the editorial is presented.] Librarians working in technical services have long had opportunities to automate portions of their work. Attitudes about doing so, however, have been mixed. Automation comes with enhanced needs for human-mediated quality control. With this long-standing and somewhat fraught relationship in mind, we began discussing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language model (LLM) tools and their implications for writing and reviewing in Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS) back in 2023.

Sexual And Gender Minority Stress And Risky Sexual Behaviors: A Meta-Analysis Of Current Literature, Tobias Mcdaniels

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Introduction: Research on sexual and gender minorities demonstrates a significant relationship between identity related stress and risky sexual behavior. Minority stress theory claims that stressors unique to the sexual and gender minority community may explain the high prevalence rates and the risk of negative health outcomes, including risky sexual behaviors. With the observed high stress levels within this community, sexual and gender minority stress may be a significant risk factor and may explain the origins of risky sexual behaviors, as well as provide insight into a population that is understudied. Method: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the relationship between …

Toward A Global Roadmap: An Analysis Of National Strategies Toward Digital Education Improvements Across Southeast Asia And Southern Africa, Z Alexandra Anderson

Computer Science Undergraduate Theses

The rapid global expansion of digital technologies has created significant opportunities to transform education systems, foster innovation, and reduce inequalities. However, access to and benefits from these technologies remain unevenly distributed, shaped by differences in infrastructure, human capital, governance structures, and economic development. This thesis investigates how systemic approaches to digital education in Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe can inform a more inclusive and adaptive global roadmap for digital transformation in education.

Adopting a mixed-methods design, this study combines a comparative quantitative analysis of the CISCO Digital Readiness Index (DRI) with a qualitative content analysis of national …

Enhancing Quality Of Life Through Participant-Led Programming For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Hannah Bolton

Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium

There are currently over 6.5 million Americans living with an intellectual disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). Research shows that individuals with intellectual disabilities are more likely to experience a lower quality of life (QOL) compared to those without disabilities (Hughes-McCormack et al., 2017). Eight core domains have been identified as essential to quality of life: emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, material well-being, personal development, physical well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, and rights (Lachapelle et al., 2005). In response to these needs, this capstone project aimed to implement customized, supported, participant-led programming at a day program for adults with …

Beyond The Suburban Ideal: Addressing Southern California’S Strained Affordable Housing Market Through Density Bonus Programs, Alissa Larue

School of Public Policy Capstones

This study examines how expanding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) could serve as an effective policy solution to address the housing affordability crisis. In San Diego, a Bonus Program has been implemented to incentivize the construction of affordable ADUs by relaxing burdensome regulations. A Differences-in-Differences approach using two-way fixed effects is employed to evaluate the program's effectiveness in promoting ADU development, using city-level data from San Diego and Los Angeles counties. ADU permit applications serve as a key indicator of policy impact. The findings strongly suggest that the Bonus Program influenced increasing ADU permit applications in San Diego. Because the model …

The Influence Of Institutional Barriers And Personality On Gendered Occupational Choice, Mia Sideris

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Men hold a disproportionate share of high-paying jobs, leading to an uneven distribution within the workforce. Possible rationalizations behind the formation of the occupational gap can be narrowed down to two factors: institutional barriers and personality differences. Accounts of prestigious organizations intentionally underrepresenting women in academic spheres, in addition to the persistence of societal norms can explain the observed distribution. Other perspectives insist that sex determines one’s behavior in selecting a life-long occupation, where a woman’s instinct to nurture and develop interpersonal connections leads them to choose fields that necessitate these characteristics. Compiling data from mainstream companies like Apple who …

The New Antebellum: A Sociological Interpretation Of Christian Nationalism And Its Danger To Both Christianity And American Democracy, Paige R. Dickerman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Hate and fear have become the new American identity, plaguing social media platforms and legislation as it drips from the mouths of the citizenry. The nation has been torn apart by polarization in a continuation of the division and extremist ideology that has tormented generations of Americans since its founding. Today, Christian nationalism is at the forefront of division and extremism in its idea of a new America, defined by traditionalism, biblical law, and an end to our taken-for-granted democratic processes. Its proponents insist that America’s survival depends on Christian laws and national observance, a claim that hides the truth …

Discrimination That Requires A Remedy: The Case Of Mothers Of Children With Disabilities, Ewa Rejman

Mercer Law Review

International human rights law devotes particular attention to the protection of vulnerable groups owing to their special needs and distinctive challenges which should be adequately considered. Building upon this premise and stressing the importance of gender approach, the Article describes particular vulnerabilities that mothers of children with disabilities face and explains how addressing them remains contingent upon safeguarding, in particular, the right to the highest attainable standard of health, the right to social security, the right to an adequate standard of living and the right to family life. Through the analysis of the responsibility for the omission in international law, …

Race Centers As Critical Curriculum Spaces In U.S. Law Schools, Katheryn Russell-Brown, Vanessa Miller

Mercer Law Review

This piece aims to amplify the role of law school race centers. In fact, these centers are central curriculum spaces for student teaching and learning about race. The discussion highlights the role of race centers in law schools, explores the scholarly potential of race centers, and proposes strategies for sustaining race centers. The piece examines the role of race centers in helping law schools meet American Bar Association Standard 303(c), which requires that law students are exposed to race‑related curriculum, such as bias, cross‑cultural competencies, or racism. Tracing the historical roots of modern‑day race centers to Black Culture Centers of …

The Anatomy Of Creating A New Legal Discipline In Which Intersectionality Is Integral: Teaching Employers To Accept The Importance Of Workplace Discrimination And Understanding The Connection Between The Intersectionality Messages We Receive And How They Are Manifested In The Workplace Resulting In Violations Of Title Vii Of The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 And Lack Of Diversity, Dawn D. Bennett-Alexander

Mercer Law Review

The Author created the first law course in the country for colleges of business that taught business students how to recognize and work to avoid the genesis of workplace discrimination legal claims that lawyers are then called upon to handle, many of which are firmly rooted in intersectionality. That is, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 violations and employer liability. This led to her creating the earliest iteration of what we now know as Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). In doing so, she had to explore how workplace decisions are made, which led to the realization …

"Data Science For Digital Privacy: A Practical Guide For Non-Technical Audiences", Kayla Ahrndt

SPARK Symposium Presentations

As companies increasingly rely on consumer data for personalization and profit, the need for stronger user protections, security measures, and transparency in data practices grows. Legal frameworks must be continuously re-evaluated and updated to ensure accountability, while individuals must be equipped with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their digital presence. However, personal data privacy education remains widely inaccessible due to the technical language and the effort required to navigate complex policies. This project, presented in both zine and blog formats, addresses this gap by providing clear, actionable, and accessible recommendations for data privacy and personal cybersecurity. As an …