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9th Gsep Research Symposium - 2025

GSEP Research Symposium

The Ninth Annual GSEP Research Symposium, themed "Building Bridges to Elevate Humanity: Innovations and Insights in Education and Psychology", was hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) on June 19–20, 2025, at the historic Château d’Hauteville in Switzerland and virtually via Zoom.

This hybrid symposium convened a vibrant global community of students, alumni, faculty, and scholars to share research that addresses real-world challenges, advances scholarly inquiry, and builds pathways for inclusive collaboration and leadership. Spanning a wide array of topics—from artificial intelligence and mental health to trauma-informed practices, educational equity, social justice, and cross-cultural leadership—the …

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 11

Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 11.

Disentangling (Hybrid) Trustworthiness Of Communicative Generative Ai As Intermediary For Science-Related Information—Results From A Qualitative Interview Study, Evelyn Jonas, Esther Greussing, Monika Taddicken

Human-Machine Communication

The increasing prevalence of communicative Generative AI, such as ChatGPT, highlights their transformative potential for science communication while raising critical questions about users’ trust in these systems conveying science-related information. As perceptual hybrids these agents challenge traditional notions of trustworthiness, and it remains unclear to whom or what users refer to as the object of trust. This qualitative interview study integrates dimensions from human-machine and epistemic trustworthiness within a hybrid framework, complemented by a descriptive source orientation model. It highlights that trustworthiness assessments can extend beyond a chatbot’s interface, emphasizing the perceived salience of its underlying infrastructure, developers, and organizations. …

Coding Openai In An Open-Sourced Code Sharing Platform: Exploring The Collaboration Networks On Chatgpt Projects On Github, Jingyi Pu, Xinzhi Zhang

Human-Machine Communication

Amid rapid advancements in generative AI (GenAI) tools, individuals and organizations—including both professional and amateur developers—are actively sharing and collaboratively developing GenAI code on open-source platforms, driving the adaptation and creation of new applications. However, it remains unclear whether such collaboration disrupts existing technological hierarchies or reinforces them; addressing this question is crucial for assessing the democratizing potential of open-source practice and informing policies for equitable innovation. Drawing on world-systems theory, we examine owner-contributor networks in ChatGPT-related GitHub repositories since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, complemented by qualitative content analysis of major repository themes and code functions. We find that …

Use Matters: How Different Ways Of Using Chatgpt Drive Ai Acceptance And Solutionism, Florian Golo Flaßhoff, Fabian Anicker, Frank Marcinkowski

Human-Machine Communication

Artificial intelligence is central to solutionism—the vision of a world where all major problems are solved through technology. This study theorizes about how human–AI communication shapes attitudes toward AI and influences the formation of public opinion, sparking solutionist imaginaries. We empirically examine the attitude formation resulting from the non-simulated use of an unmanipulated conversational model in a controlled laboratory experiment. Using a between-subjects design, participants engaged in three semi-structured 20-minute sessions with ChatGPT, providing a novel perspective on the effects of its use. The findings reveal that mere use of ChatGPT causally increases AI acceptance; however, its impact significantly depends …

Generative Ai: Another Chapter Of Human-Machine Communication, Seungahn Nah, Patric R. Spence

Human-Machine Communication

This editorial introduces a special issue of Human-Machine Communication that explores how generative AI reshapes the communicative relationship between humans and machines. It highlights emerging research on technology use, education, interpersonal dynamics, and trust in AI-generated content, emphasizing that generative AI’s significance lies not in novelty but in the social negotiations it provokes around meaning, authority, and credibility.

Opting Out: Over-Alerting And Warning Fatigue In The Era Of Wireless Emergency Alerts, Jeannette Sutton, Michele M. Wood

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity Faculty Scholarship

While warning fatigue is commonly described among emergency management practitioners as a problem due to over-alerting, which leads to opting out, there has been limited research to define these concepts in a systematic manner that can inform policymaking around public alerting strategies, especially as they relate to Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). In this study, we draw from semi-structured interviews with emergency managers and open-ended responses from surveys with emergency managers and members of the public, to develop definitions of “over-alerting” and “warning fatigue” and to identify the conditions that cause the public to “opt out” of WEA messages. We conduct …

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 10

Human-Machine Communication

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 10.

Playing Catch Up: A Brief Look Into Modern Internet Culture And Its Impact On Adolescent Male Development, Xavier Bird

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

This doctoral paper argues that the internet, particularly the "manosphere," poses three significant threats to the development of adolescent males in the U.S.: the influence of misogynistic online personalities, the normalization of risky online behavior, and the spread of right-wing misinformation. The paper highlights the role of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating these issues due to increased internet usage. Furthermore, it proposes a research study to investigate the link between exposure to online misogynistic content and aggressive behavior in schools, emphasizing the unique challenges of studying adolescents and their online culture. Finally, the paper stresses the urgent need for updated …

Enhancing Cataract Surgery Outcomes: Optimal Use Of Pre- And Post-Operative Eye Drops, Keith Skolnick M.D., Anu Valiaveedu

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Many preoperative and postoperative cataract patients struggle with comprehending the use of prescription medication as directed. Language barriers and low health literacy levels are major factors contributing to improper use of prescriptions. To increase patients comprehension, the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute employed an educational intervention consisting of a live presentation and an instructional video. Results found that 44% of patients were hesitant to ask questions to clinical staff, 32% felt overwhelmed, and nearly 70% lacked confidence in using their prescribed eye drops. Following the intervention, 91% of patients reported increased confidence in their medications, and most indicated that the video …

Increasing Implementation Of The Comfortable Cafeteria Program To Promote School-Age Children’S Mental Health And Well-Being, Reinecka Mondesir, Angela Labrie Blackwell Phd, Otr

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Every Moment Counts (EMC) is a positive mental health promotion initiative that offers several initiatives to create inclusive environments that support student participation and emotional well-being throughout the school day. Comfortable Cafeteria, part of EMC, fosters positive mealtime experiences supporting peer interaction, emotional regulation, and inclusion. Many SBOT practitioners lack the resources to implement Comfortable Cafeteria, despite its benefits. This capstone project addresses the need for practical tools to help school-based occupational therapy (SBOT) practitioners integrate the Comfortable Cafeteria program into daily practice. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, the project developed and disseminated an interactive, evidence-based video …

Do Themes Improve Visitor Outcomes In Interpretive Programs?, Amber K. Hawes

All Theses

Thematic interpretation is widely promoted as being integral to an effective interpretive program. Some studies have suggested that thematic interpretation may enhance visitor outcomes; however, park visitor demographics have changed over the last decade, and others have suggested alternative approaches. In this study, we systematically observed live interpretive programs at 330 programs at 52 National Parks across the United States, monitored the extent and characteristics of theme usage, and collected visitor surveys immediately following each program. We used these data to determine the influence of the presence and characteristics of themes and theme questions on visitor outcomes. The results suggest …

Journal Of Communication Pedagogy, Complete Volume, 2025

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

No abstract provided.

If It Walks Like A Duck: Self-Identification, Definition, And Experiences Of Non-Traditional Doctoral Students In The Communication Discipline, Laura C. Bruns, Sara V.A. Kaufman, Ana Lisa Padron Eberline, Meredith L. Pruden, Erin Perry, Elise P. Taylor, Deborah J. Danuser

Journal of Communication Pedagogy

This study aimed to understand experiences of nontraditional doctoral students pursuing their PhD in Communication. Although the term “nontraditional student” exists in the literature (Cox & Ebbers, 2010; Stone & O’Shea, 2019), there is little consensus about demographics of nontraditional doctoral students (NTDS), nor their experiences navigating these programs. Using qualitative, thematic analysis of survey responses (n = 52), this critical mixed-method study found three themes— age, experience, and education gap—as defining identity factors, barriers, and benefits. Participants described themselves as nontraditional due to different lived experiences from graduate peers, resulting in feelings of “Otherness” within their programs. These findings …

Breaking Barriers, Building Realities: Designing A Pedagogically Sound Onboarding Process For Immersive Media Classroom Integration, Esperanza B. Martinez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

As immersive media technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) continue to gain traction in education, the need for a roadmap for educators to adopt these new learning technologies in a manner that enhances student learning increases. This project explores essential elements of an effective onboarding process for extended reality (XR)-enabled learning environments, focusing the recommendations for an anonymous virtual reality lab located at a public, 4-year university in Southern California. The study analyzes interviews from twelve students experiencing VR for the first time under three different onboarding contexts: no onboarding, Meta’s First Steps …

Using Media As A Source In Lessons: Media Literacy Methodology And Constructivist Media Decoding, Ayşe Aslı Sezgin Büyükalaca, Chris Sperry, Cyndy Scheibe

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Media literacy, beyond being an independent course, can be integrated into educational content at various levels through a structural approach that emphasizes questioning and understanding diverse perspectives. Students need tools to analyze diverse content critically, so it’s important to move away from traditional teacher-centered instruction. This paper examines a question-based approach to integrating media literacy into Turkish educational courses, emphasizing the Constructivist Media Decoding (CMD) method. The study highlights CMD’s potential to address gaps in Turkiye’s media literacy education, offering a detailed discussion of its theoretical background and benefits within the Turkish context. By illustrating CMD’s adaptability and value, this …

A Systematic Review Of Transmedia Literacy: Implications For Lifelong Learning, Rafel Meyerhofer-Parra

Journal of Media Literacy Education

One of the main objectives of international agendas is the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities. Transmedia literacy, usually acquired informally, offers many of the key skills, competences and strategies to ensure learning in a world where technology has a predominant role. However, no analyses reporting the impact of their use are systematically identified in the literature. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature on transmedia literacy and its practices is proposed, searching 4 databases and analysing a total of 42 articles. The results show experiences with plural thematic, extension and educational context, mainly located in the formal educational system, and …

How To Shape Digital Competences Among Pre-Service Teachers: A Global Expert Analysis, Łukasz Tomczyk, Francisco David Guillén-Gámez, Maria Lidia Mascia, Julio Ruiz-Palmero

Journal of Media Literacy Education

The article explores how to shape digital competences among pre-service teachers within the university education system. It addresses the challenges posed by the rapid development of the information society and the growing digitisation of education, necessitating the redefinition of existing teacher education models. Using the Delphi method, 36 media education experts from six continents were interviewed between June and August 2022. They identified 12 versatile solutions to enhance the effectiveness of digital competence formation in academia. These solutions aim to improve the content, methods, and forms of teacher education, ensuring future pedagogical staff are better prepared to integrate ICT into …

Insights From Educators: Integrating Ai Literacy Into Media Literacy Education In Practice, Stephanie Jean Tsang

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Through in-depth interviews with junior high school teachers in Hong Kong who participated in a media and artificial intelligence literacy program intervention, this research highlights the importance of prioritizing values and ethics education over technical proficiency when incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into media literacy training. While quantitatively assessing students’ literacy levels posed challenges, future media literacy programs should concentrate on introducing technological terminology and concepts, promoting awareness of potential issues, instilling values for responsible technology use, and fostering empathy to create a harmonious online environment. By focusing on fundamental values and key concepts rather than following fleeting AI trends, educators …

Battle Cry To “Do The Research”: Vulnerability To Qanon, Alt Media, And Low News Media Literacy, Kaye D. Sweetser, Kalyca Lynn Becktel

Journal of Media Literacy Education

This survey (N = 579) investigated news media literacy among those likely to believe in the conspiracy theories of QAnon. Vulnerability to belief in QAnon conspiracies was predicted by a media diet of alternative media such as 4chan and SnapChat. Those vulnerable to QAnon conspiracy theories had lower news media literacy scores than those who appeared to be resistant to QAnon theories, and rated themselves with lower need for cognition and higher cynicism. Vulnerability to QAnon was predicted by a belief in other specific conspiracy theories, low value of news media literacy, less understanding of the news business, belief …

Missing Information: A Content Analysis Of U.S. Missing Persons Alerts Using The Missing And Endangered Persons Message Framework, Lauren Cain, Jeannette Sutton, Hugh Walpole, Micki Olson

Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity Faculty Scholarship

Missing and endangered person (MEP) alerts are a prominent messaging strategy used by law enforcement agencies in the United States to recover missing persons, with over 1,800 AMBER Alerts issued via the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system and nearly 40 similar alerts introduced by state legislatures for other groups of missing people. Despite their prevalent use, the contents of MEP alerts have not yet been empirically examined. Drawing from warning message design and AMBER Alert best practices, we propose a new MEP Message Framework and use it to evaluate the contents of 4,053 MEP WEAs sent from 2013 to 2023. …

Participatory Exhibitions As An Awareness-Raising Platform For Bird Window Collisions, Janina Carla Castro, Jelaine Gan, Nancy Longnecker

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Bird window strikes pose a significant threat to avian populations in urban settings. Understanding public attitudes toward this issue is vital for communicating the problem and possible interventions, such as applying window stickers. Bird Window Strike Philippines, a citizen science initiative, has promoted awareness through online engagement and a public pop-up exhibition designed to leave a lasting impression and gather visitor feedback. The exhibition introduced Filipino audiences to bird-window collisions through educational and participatory elements, including interpretive panels, taxidermied bird specimens, and window models demonstrating prevention techniques. Its central message was: “Bird window strikes are a problem, and we can …

The Red Thread: Objects As Medium, Hsin-Ning Alin Yang

Masters Theses

There are moments when people hesitate to speak their emotions or needs
—whether it’s love that feels too shy to articulate, needs that risk sounding too forceful, or feelings too vague to verbalize. By shifting the priority of emotion and communication factor ahead of pure functionality, this thesis posits that objects can serve as an alternative medium of communication.

This thesis begins by examining the root causes of communication difficulties and the coping strategies people use, ultimately identifying five situations in which objects can effectively substitute for verbal interaction. Building on these categories, the thesis explores how an object’s features, …

Becoming A Beloved Community: A Restorative Reckoning For A Radical Conversion To Transform Discourse In Higher Education, Latasha Tomay Varlack-Butler

Dissertations

This dissertation critically examines the misappropriation of Restorative Justice Discourse (RJD) within three predominantly white institutions (PWIs), analyzing 59 institutional documents through Critical Discourse Analysis, Relational Critical Discourse Analysis, and Rhetorical Criticism (Fairclough, 1995; Vaandering, 2021; van Dijk, 2008). Tribal Colleges and Universities and South African institutions have emerged as exemplars of authentic RJD, countering co-optation within PWIs. The findings demonstrate that RJD as applied in PWIs is framed in ways that attenuate its transformative potential, perpetuating color-evasiveness (Bonilla-Silva, 2017) and obscuring the intersectional experiences of Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities (Crenshaw, 1991; Million, 2009).

Grounded in decolonial praxis (Smith, …

Gotta Be Fresh: Comedy Central’S Workaholics, Masculinity, And Paratextual Decay, Adamandrew Lenox

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis examines social media marketing materials for Workaholics, a sitcom aired on Comedy Central from 2011 to 2017, to study paratextual temporality/ephemerality, the “brand as friend” social media strategy, and how masculinity is articulated through paratexts. The project incorporates theories from the fields of social media and internet marketing studies, television content and industry studies, and promotional paratext studies. Research centered on 100 Workaholics X (formerly Twitter) posts, published from January 2012 to March 2017. Posts were collected using Google Chrome extension TwExportly. Qualitative textual and content analysis of these paratexts results in three categories of findings. First, I …

Grief As Slip: (How Little I Show) An Exploration In Clay, When Words Are Not Enough, Michelle A. Smith

Masters Theses, 2020-current

Grief as Slip (how little I show) implies that even as we acknowledge our mortality and the fleeting nature of life, we still only reveal a fraction of our true selves or our deeper realities. The ceramic artwork in this exhibition carries and conveys a journey through the present and remembered emotions of the artists’ personal narrative. By juxtaposing the tactile nature of clay with the ethereal quality of human experience, Smith contemplates the profound interplay between material transformation and emotional resilience. The exhibition’s intent is to translate the essence of complex emotional states into abstracted forms so they can …

The Influence Of Narrative Point Of View In Fanfiction On Character Identification And Parasocial Romantic Attraction, Rachel Delaurenti, Alex Cocoros, Lourdes Duque, Sean Oriotis, Jonathan Jauregui

Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

This study examines how narrative point of view influences character identification and parasocial romantic feelings in fan fiction. In order to conduct this research, an experiment was conducted in which participants read fan fiction about their chosen media figure (celebrity or fictional character) written in one of three perspectives: first-person self-insert, third-person self-insert, or third-person original character. Participants then responded to a series of questions regarding identification and physical and emotional parasocial romantic attraction. Following statistical analysis of the survey data, the study yielded results that indicate that there are stronger levels of identification and physical parasocial romantic attraction when …

The Future Of Coaching: Empowering Prospective Educators In Speech And Debate, Willow Keller

Honors Projects

This project addresses a clear and pressing gap in the Ohio Speech and Debate Association’s current strategic plan: the need for formal coach preparation and recruitment. This project combines academic research with actionable, real-world solutions, ensuring that the proposal is both credible and feasible. It is grounded in data and educational best practices, making it highly relevant to the immediate challenges facing Ohio’s forensics community. This project advocates for the creation of a state-approved coaching curriculum, which will be offered to education majors and certify that they are qualified to coach high school and middle school Speech and Debate.

Advertising To Children: A Content Analysis Of Ryan's World, Cora Denny

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Ryan’s World is a children's toy review YouTube channel with over 36 million followers and features kid YouTuber Ryan Kaji. A qualitative content analysis of the YouTube channel Ryan’s World was conducted to observe the rhetorical strategies the videos employ to sell Ryan’s World products, as well as how those strategies compare to traditional advertising. An analysis of twelve videos resulted in dominant themes of increasing brand familiarity and product performance of Ryan’s World products. These were accomplished through the use of traditional advertising rhetorical strategies such as product placement, special effects, appeals, and more. The study shows that the …

Crisis Calling: Fan Relationships With Athletes, Alexis T. Merriman

All Theses

This study identifies the importance and complexities of parasocial relationships, as well as looks at the effects these relationships have on NFL sport consumers in our society. Sport fandom, specifically high-level fandom attachments such as parasocial relationships (PSR), have called for a need to examine what occurs for both athletes and fans when a parasocial relationship is jeopardized in times of inevitable athlete or league crisis. This study applies Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and Turning Point Approach to examine these complex parasocial relationships. Due to gaps in literature looking at parasocial breakup (PSB) and relationship turbulence through public relations …