Political Science Commons^™

Legitimacy-Seeking Tactics Employed By Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham In The Idlib Province, Kathrine Lopez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This paper examines how Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) sought to stabilize and normalize its authority through governance in Idlib from 2017 to 2024. It applies the legitimacy-seeking tactics framework developed by McWeeney, Cunningham, and Bauer (2025) to assess five observable strategies used outside direct combat, provision of public goods, participation in conflict mediation, lobbying and cooperation with external actors, conventional political mobilization, and public outreach. Using qualitative interpretive analysis of primary and secondary sources, the study evaluates how these tactics appeared in HTS-linked governance institutions and public-facing practices during sustained territorial rule. The findings show selective but substantial tactic use. …

Policy Brief: Satellite Resiliency Against Nuclear Detonation In Space, Brianna Johnshon, Samantha Harper, Tyler Thompson

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The deployment of nuclear weapons in space poses an arms challenge that is both critically important and inherently ambiguous. Although Article IV of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST) explicitly prohibits placing nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in orbit (UNOOSA, 1966), recent developments suggest that this prohibition is not absolute. In 2024, the U.S. and Japan brought concerns regarding WMD in space to the UN Security Council, calling on states to work to prevent an arms race in space and agree not to place nuclear weapons and WMD in orbit (United Nations Security Council, 2024). However, this …

Cooperation In The Space Domain: The Potential For Cooperation Between South Korea And Japan, Brianna Johnson

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project examines the space security cooperation between two states that are frequently grouped together in discussions of U.S. allies in the Asian region, largely due to the trilateral alliance between the US, South Korea, and Japan. Within this framework, particular attention is given to what some scholars identify as the “weak link” of the alliance: the relationship between South Korea and Japan. Focusing on the space domain as an emerging area of strategic importance, this paper asks when and how states with historically tense relationships engage with one another in space. Drawing on primary news sources and government documents …

Measuring Intensity Of Carrier Strike Group Anti-Air Warfare: 1945-2025, Gavin Perry

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The Aircraft carrier and its associated strike group (CSG) have been the preeminent means of both projecting power and securing sea control since the 1940s. Despite this, there exists vulnerabilities associated with operating these groups. Following World War Two, a narrative emerged that in heavily contested (non-permissive) environments, CSGs would be unable to operate effectively. This line of thinking relegates the CSG to a weapon for low intensity conflicts, crisis response, and peacetime power projection. The relevance of this debate has increased in recent years with the bolstering of the Peoples Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) carrier forces. Misunderstanding the ability …

A Nuclear Crossroads: South Korea's Nuclear Stance And The Factors That Shape It, Brianna Johnshon

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

South Korea represents a standard case of latent nuclear power, where nuclear development is constrained by choice rather than capability. In the past, Seoul’s rhetoric surrounding nuclear capabilities has ranged from endorsement of a domestic nuclear program to a staunch commitment to nonproliferation. These shifts are shaped by both foreign and domestic factors that reflect Seoul’s broader strategic calculations. Through comparative case studies of three key periods in South Korea’s nuclear rhetoric, this paper analyzes the main factors that influence the official stance on nuclear development. The first case covers early attempts at nuclear development in the 1970s with Project …

Beyond Self-Defense: A Critical Analysis Of The Biden Administration’S Application Of ‘Just War’ Theory In The Israel-Hamas War, Thomas Elias

Graduate Student Research Symposium

Abstract

The Israel-Hamas war has ignited critical questions regarding the justification for violence, particularly the right to self-defense. Harm to Palestinian noncombatants and the conflict’s prolonged duration has contributed to critiques and doubts about Israel’s military operations and the Biden administration’s substantial military aid post-October 7th. The war’s extensive destruction and dehumanization creates a stark tension with the Biden administration’s invocation of just war theory. This paper critically analyzes the Biden administration’s use of just war theory in supporting the Israel-Hamas war, investigating how Christian theological ethics on just war and self-defense have been utilized and misapplied since October 2023. …

A Three-Criteria Framework For U.S. Immigration Reform: Humane Treatment, Resource Reallocation, And Proportional Fallback, Eddie Contreras

COD Library Student Research and Award Symposium

This project examines how U.S. immigration enforcement could be restructured around three criteria: humane treatment, resource reallocation, and proportional consequences. The evidence, drawn from journalism, peer-reviewed research, government data, and international comparisons, consistently shows that current enforcement is poorly targeted, fiscally costly, and harmful to the community it depends on. At the same time, the picture is not one-sided: a real population of serious offenders exists, some workers benefit economically from restrictive policies, and even the strongest international models have real flaws. Administrative reforms within DHS could begin moving the system in a slightly better direction now. However, durable change …

Money And Power: How Big Money Shapes Democracy In The United States, Paige Long

Thinking Matters Symposium

This project explores the question: what could and should be done to strengthen democracy in the United States? More specifically, it examines the role that large amounts of money in politics play in shaping political power and representation. The central argument of this project is that reducing the influence of big money in political campaigns and policymaking is necessary for creating a more fair and representative democratic system. When wealthy donors, corporations, and special interest groups are able to spend large amounts of money to influence elections and policy decisions, it can limit the political voice of ordinary citizens.

This …

An Increased Understanding Of Political Sociology Would Create A More Pluralistic Society, Mariam H. Jabbar

Thinking Matters Symposium

What are we socially lacking in relation to our current social

identity, based on political and historical events, to create a pluralistic society?

What do we need to prioritize socially to bring awareness for a more

contemporary social construct? My points as a political sociology student will be

focused on how society applies political association to power through unity by

division of society.

Portland Public Schools ' Board Meeting Attendance And Awareness, Matan Schoenfeld

Thinking Matters Symposium

Portland Public Schools District Board meetings are the primary

touchpoint for parents, students, and staff to engage with their educational

leadership. They provide transparent communication about current and

upcoming initiatives within the district, and allow for attendees to voice questions,

concerns, and opinions. The political culture cultivated by these meetings is on

with heavy emphasis on dialogue and citizen participation. Yet there is one large

problem: many members of the PPS district community are unable (due to lack of

awareness or other practical obstacles) to attend the meetings. I believe the PPS

district would better function as an extension of …

Impact Of Race On Trust In Government, Nevaeh Johnson

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Past research consistently finds racial differences in federal political trust. Studies using data from the ANES, NAES, GSS and SCCBS surveys show that Black Americans often report lower levels of trust in federal government than White Americans. However, these effects are often reduced when controlling for factors such as partisanship, socioeconomic status, age, religion, and even experiences with discrimination. While past literature highlights the importance of race, the use of control variables makes it harder to isolate races direct impact on trust in federal government. Guided by a deductive theory, this study examines the direct, observational relationship and trust in …

The Impact Of Social Media On Voter Turnout, Madeline M. Hutchison

Research & Creative Achievement Day

I will be observing how the use of social media affects voter turnout in the presidential election. Using data collected by the American National Election studies I compare data on how often respondents are on social media, and if they voted in the most recent election. I hope to find that an increased use of social media leads to citizens being more likely to vote in the presidential election, especially if they get political information from these social media sites. My main hypothesis is that more access to social media leads to a higher voter turnout in American presidential elections, …

Mister President & May It Please The Executive: Causal Barriers To Court-Packing, Mason Smith

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

As attacks on democracy have become increasingly ubiquitous, scholarship has begun to shed light on a common, effective, and inimical means of subverting governments accountable to the masses: court-packing. So, how can democracies prevent court-packing? Among many implicit causal theories taken from the extant research, which hasn’t directly tackled this problem, two seem the most plausible and ripe for analysis, suggesting that court-packing’s success turns on either the strength (i) of institutional constraints or (ii) of domestic judicial norms. To see which theory works better in practice, I use a narrowly tailored iteration of comparative process tracing, as it best …

"From Galaxies To Gloucester" Reday 2026 Undergraduate Panel, Slides 2, Tristan Hightower, Jonathan Holleran, Connor Patterson

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

This panel showcases original undergraduate student research exploring how political institutions shape behavior, incentives, and outcomes across diverse contexts. The projects examine interest group theory as applied to the Star Wars universe, presidential rhetoric and congressional response, local political change in Gloucester, MA, and the relationship between senators’ committee assignments and financial interests. Despite varied empirical settings, they share a focus on how actors operate within institutional constraints, how power is exercised, and how political systems structure influence and accountability.

"From Galaxies To Gloucester" Reday 2026 Undergraduate Panel, Slides 1, Tristan M. Hightower, Christian Pereira, Nicholas Poulin

Bryant REDay (Research and Engagement Day)

This panel showcases original undergraduate student research exploring how political institutions shape behavior, incentives, and outcomes across diverse contexts. The projects examine interest group theory as applied to the Star Wars universe, presidential rhetoric and congressional response, local political change in Gloucester, MA, and the relationship between senators’ committee assignments and financial interests. Despite varied empirical settings, they share a focus on how actors operate within institutional constraints, how power is exercised, and how political systems structure influence and accountability.

Strategic Knowledge: Innovation, Technological Sovereignty, And Geopolitical Competition, Chick Edmond

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

The Twenty-First Century's Shift in Advanced Technologies as Instruments of Economic Growth to central pillars of geopolitical competition States are increasingly using technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology and digital infrastructure not simply as commercial assets but as strategic resource bases to enhance their national security and global influence. This paper will examine how innovative systems have been incorporated into broader geopolitical competitions creating "strategic knowledge politic”. This paper dwells on International Political Economy (IPE), Security Studies and Innovation Theory literatures to analyze the changing concepts of technological sovereignty and their implications for the global order. The …

An Unlikely Ironic Intervention: Reimagining The Fourteenth Amendment Of The United States Of America, Jennifer Paola Hernandez

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

The project of interest is an intervention in the United States of America to reform racial and minority vote dilution, along with systemic entrenchment of power within gerrymandering, to undo the legacies of colonialism and racism within the states. Holding the government accountable to Constitutional and human rights is a patriotic act, even if many Americans don’t see it that way. Though often linked to the Global South, peacebuilding can also include institutional reform in non-war contexts. Peacebuilding processes are intended to improve society’s institutional structures for the betterment and sustainability of its constituents. I argue that the United States …

Peaceful Change Management: Cultivating Empathy And Curiosity To Foster Resilience And Trust In Healthcare, Erica W. Martin, Anne Kampa

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

The ongoing evolution of healthcare, driven by technological advancements, necessitates equipping leaders with human-centered approaches to change management. This proposal examines the current responses to change within healthcare environments, addressing the underlying mechanisms that contribute to success or breakdown and emphasizes the imperative need for adaptive strategies from change leaders.

A human-centered approach incorporating emotional intelligence, the ADKAR change management model, and peace-focused leadership, can mitigate potential conflicts and foster a trust-based work environment. This research explores the theoretical framework of positive peace, underscoring the pivotal role of leadership in enhancing relational dynamics and addressing communication barriers. By focusing on …

Black Women And Natural Hairstyles In Workspaces, Darnella Mcguire-Nelson Ph.D., Darnella Mcguire-Nelson Ph.D.

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

No abstract provided.

Peace Innovation And Healing: A Design Justice Framework To Support Change Processes, Strengthen Relationships, Foster Trust, And Build Community, Michelle Helman

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

Many organizations aiming to achieve peace and health equity outcomes often focus their design processes and innovation efforts externally without addressing how their organizational culture can unintentionally reproduce the very harms they are trying to address. The purpose of this qualitative design research study is to explore the role of a design justice framework in piloting a Peace Innovation Project aimed at facilitating an organizational culture change process. Specifically, the study focuses on better understanding how integrating a design justice approach could support research collaborators to center equity and justice as core components in building a culture of peace and …

Discourse Markers In Conflict Management: A Literature Review, Erica W. Martin, Krystle L. Hunter

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

Discourse Markers in Conflict Management: A Literature Review

Discourse markers, often seen as fillers in conversation, are important for managing interpersonal conflicts. This literature review aims to show how these markers influence conflict dynamics, with implications for promoting peace and strengthening community relationships. By combining research from linguistics, communication studies, and conflict resolution, the review looks at how discourse markers function during three phases of conflict: initiation, escalation, and de-escalation. The authors aim to improve both theoretical understanding and practical approaches to engaging constructively in conflicts, enhancing cohesion within global and local communities through better communication.

Using a qualitative synthesis …

Setting Our Priorities Right: (Human) Security As Defined From The Bottom-Up, Zsófia Hacsek, David Curran, Sariya Cheruvallil-Contractor, Anna Gillions

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

One of the most persisting challenges of the human security concept are to decide what issues should be prioritised, what resources should be used to solve them and by whom, and who bears responsibility for this process. In this discourse, it is crucial to involve voices from the bottom-up: UK residents whose lives are directly affected by the answers given to the above questions. Our research project, the Alternative Security Review, used a mixed-methods approach to find out what security means to individuals residing in the UK. We argue that their priorities should be taken into account in top-down decision-making …

Embodying Design Justice: A Peace Education Framework To Strengthen Relationships, Foster Trust And Build Community, Michelle Helman

Peace and Conflict Studies Journal Conference

BACKGROUND

Groups working toward creating peace and equity often focus on external innovation without addressing internal culture shifts necessary to navigate change and achieve their goals. Michelle’s doctoral research and practice address this challenge through a design research study and peace innovation project focused on organizational culture transformation through a design justice framework. Findings suggest that interweaving the framework with storytelling, arts, and embodiment practices are key to support people in navigating change processes to strengthen relationships, foster trust, and build community.

ABOUT

The workshop offers an applied learning experience for participants to explore the concepts of design and innovation …

Driving Social Revolutions In 20th Century Latin America, Oliver Orellana

Student Scholar Symposium

This paper explores various definitions of social revolutions to create one cohesive and operationalized definition that measures success through a numerical rating scale. Once establishing what revolutions were successful or fall into different typological sortings, this research employs qualitative content analysis as well as quantitative methods still being refined, in order to investigate the potential drivers of social revolutionary success in Latin America throughout the 20th century. The findings have implications for whether the masses and political movements should pursue this endeavor and when their efforts will have the highest potential and likelihood of success. On the other hand, these …

The Penumbras: Religious Entities, Economic Stagnation, & Covid-19, Alitrise Soderstrom Theodoriches

Student Scholar Symposium

During the Covid-19 pandemic small businesses found themselves gasping for air as their employees felt the disaster. In an attempt to aid these choking businesses, the United States Small Business Administration alongside the Department of Treasury implemented the Paycheck Protection Program. Its aim targeted keeping employees paid and businesses open. The plot twist here is about who fits into that category of small businesses. Religious entities were included in this aid and suddenly, not only was the economic wall hit, so was the wall between religion and government. The US federal government, through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), funded approximately …

The Decline Of Public Trust In The Federal Government: Causes, Consequences & Restoration, Shythaly Herrera

Student Scholar Symposium

Public trust in the United States federal government has significantly declined over the past several decades, reaching historic lows in recent years. A 2024 study by the Pew Research Center indicates that only 22% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right most of the time, which is a drastic decline from 55% in 2001. This paper aims to explore the root causes of this decline and the implications this has for the American public. By examining research and empirical data that observes political, social, and economic factors. Political polarization, government corruption, and inefficiency are some of …

Culture Mediates Climate Opinion Change: A System Dynamics Model, Louis (Lou) Gross, Yoon Ah Shin, Sara M. Constantino, Ann Kinzig, Katherine Lacasse, Brian Beckage

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

How Does Differing Family Structure Affect Political Engagement In Adulthood?, Jillian Stevens

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

Frontlines Of Influence: State Vs. Nonstate Disinformation Campaigns, Lily Wershbale

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

This paper examines the evolution of disinformation campaigns conducted by state and nonstate actors, focusing specifically on Russia and the Islamic State as representative case studies. Through historical examples and qualitative comparative analysis, this research identifies the similarities and differences in disinformation’s role in actors’ core missions, resource allocation, and targeting decisions. This paper further explores the implications of artificial intelligence on disinformation campaigns, investigating how emerging technology will impact the influence operations of state governments and nonstate organizations alike. The findings reveal that while the ultimate intent of both state and non-state actors is to destabilize societies, their approaches …

Does Shakespeare Have A Death Wish?, Alyssa Marie Cordero

COD Library Student Research and Award Symposium

During their reign, both King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I were ruthless in persecuting and executing those who publicly and privately challenged their legitimacy - such opposition was seen not only as treason to the British monarchy but as defiance of the divine will of God. Violence, bloodshed, and cruelty were a norm and custom in Tudor England. Although he began his career catering to the audiences' bloodthirsty appetite, William Shakespeare wrote his later plays exploring the human psyche, the gendered experiences of women, and subtle political criticisms. With the looming threat of tyranny in Julius Caesar to the …