Models and Methods Commons^™

Welcome Tilly Norwood: Forecasting Hollywood’S Ai Policy Futures, Samuel P. Rooker

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

In late 2025, weekly trade publication Variety Magazine reported on the announcement of a new acting talent in Hollywood: Tilly Norwood. Norwood is an industry outsider and the pet project of Eline Van der Velden, who unveiled the actress’ existence to the world at the Zurich Film Festival. The announcement quickly gained media coverage while Van der Velden has since faced cyclical backlash from Hollywood trade unions, which does not seem entirely without reason. Tilly Norwood is a digital persona, a generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) program, designed by Van der Velden’s novel AI talent studio, Xicoia, to become the next …

The Expanding Digital Border: Ai, Surveillance, And The Fight For Justice, James Chesser

Immigration and Human Rights Law Review

As artificial intelligence transforms the mechanisms of immigration control, the modern border has become a digital filter—one governed less by geography and more by code. This Article examines the legal, technical, and ethical implications of AI-driven systems now central to global border enforcement, including biometric surveillance, algorithmic risk scoring, and predictive profiling. It explores how states use these technologies not only to manage irregular migration, but to compete for global talent—constructing migration regimes that reward capital and compliance while eroding transparency, due process, and equality.

Through an international and comparative lens, the piece highlights the expansion of algorithmic decision-making across …

Investigating The Relationship Between Noun Classes And Plant Folk Taxonomy In Chasu Language Of Kilimanjaro Region In Tanzania, Peter Rabson Mziray

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The current study investigates the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu (G 22). The study focuses on two objectives: the first objective is to describe the plant folk taxonomy in Chasu and the second objective is to determine the relationship between noun classes and plant folk taxonomy in Chasu. Data were collected from rural villages in Same and Mwanga districts by using free listing, field interviews (jungle-walk-and-identify), and written texts containing Chasu plant names. The findings reveal that Chasu folk taxonomy reflects different ethnobotanical categories; including a unique beginner which is mmea/mimea ‘plant(s)’, and three life …

Statutes And Special Interests, Kirsten Matoy Carlson

Northwestern University Law Review

Who really decides what statutes say? Most Americans think that special interests play an outsized role in our lawmaking processes. Yet empirical studies have produced little evidence that special interests get everything, or even most of, what they ask for from Congress. This Article takes an innovative new approach to tackling the difficult question of how advocates influence legislation. It presents the first comprehensive empirical study of how advocates influence the law through amendments in the legislative process. The Article analyzes an original dataset of 2,137 witnesses and their testimony at referral hearings on 108 Indian-related bills in the 97th …

Evaluating Methods For Examining The Relative Persuasiveness Of Policy Arguments, Jared Mcdonald, Michael J. Hanmer

Political Science & International Affairs Articles

Survey researchers testing the effectiveness of arguments for or against policies traditionally employ between-subjects designs. In doing so, they lose statistical power and the ability to precisely estimate public attitudes. We explore the efficacy of an approach often used to address these limitations: the repeated measures within-subjects (RMWS) design. This study tests the competing hypotheses that (1) the RMWS will yield smaller effects due to respondents' desire to maintain consistency (the “opinion anchor” hypothesis), and (2) the RMWS will yield larger effects because the researcher provides respondents with the opportunity to update their attitudes (the “opportunity to revise” hypothesis). Using …

Healing Communities With Police Divestment: Seeking Abolition Through Transformative Reform And Community-Government Collaboration, Jessica E. Gillson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Concerns about the efficacy and sustainability of the U.S. carceral system have persisted throughout the country’s history, recently fueling renewed activism and bipartisan calls for reform. However, proposed solutions remain divisive. This thesis first defines the current status of our prison systems, then explores collaborative alternatives to incarceration and policing that support communities and break cycles of incarceration.

Focusing on partnerships among local governments, community organizations, justice-involved individuals, and law enforcement, this study examines holistic approaches to crime prevention, reentry, and reintegration. Using an interdisciplinary framework incorporating restorative justice, community resilience, and systems theory, it investigates how community-based strategies can …

Assessing High-Speed Rail (Hsr) Policy And Politics In Washington State: Avoiding The Mistakes Of The Past, Landen K. Hashimura

All Master's Theses

While international standard high-speed rail (HSR) has yet to be successfully completed in the US, there is a national interest in the topic, as evidenced by recent federal initiatives to research HSR across various corridors. The Cascadia Corridor has been identified as a region with high potential for HSR, leading to an ongoing study in the State of Washington. Given the tumultuous history of American HSR development, the Cascadia HSR initiative needs to avoid the mistakes of the past. Two major contributing factors to this failure to build HSR are uneven political support for HSR and poor policy frameworks. Despite …

Effects Of Actualized Language Policy On Ukrainian Stability, 1989-2022, Dawn Hersey

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation seeks to generate a new perspective of the complicated relationship between actualized policy and stability through looking at Ukraine’s language policies and stability in a mixed manner approach that includes both primary and secondary sources. Russia justified its irridentist activities through claiming to protect Russian nationals within Ukraine’s borders: language policies within Ukraine appear to be a trigger for Russian antagonism. Neither Russian irridentism nor Ukrainian nationalism are being considered as right or wrong in this dissertation: the intent is to highlight trends, patterns, and perceptions in alignment with Ukrainian language policy. This dissertation does not present a …

The Position Of The United States Of America Vis-A-Vis The Question Of Western Sahara: Assessing The Role Of Think Tanks In The Conflict, Hamid Baadeche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

The Position of the United States of America Vis-à-vis the Question of Western Sahara: Assessing the Role of Think Tanks in the Conflict

Hamid Baadeche

Think tank organizations, particularly in the United States, have become a prominent feature of the political landscape. They act as advocates for specific policies that they consider beneficial for the country or a particular societal group. They function as a primary source of information, which they then aim to transform into well-informed policies and sound decisions. They are referred to as "the revolving doors," "idea brokers," and "idea factory." As such, their foremost objective …

An Extremely Important Document: Khea's Struggle For A Contract, 1974-1978, John L.S. Daley Dr

KNEA 50th Anniversary

In 1973, the Kansas State College, Pittsburg administration fired thirteen faculty members without cause. In order to improve administration-faculty relations, remaining faculty organized, petitioned for recognition, and drafted PSU/KNEA's first contract with PSU/KBOR, which went into effect five years later. The narrative covering this period draws on Axe Library's KNEA Collection and interviews of former faculty.

Basic Characteristics, Important Problems And Value Orientation Of China' Science And Technology Think Tanks, Xiaogang Ren, Yichao Gao, Fang Gao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Implementing the innovation-driven development strategy is not only an important measure to modernize the national governance system and governance capacity, but also a vital component of the Chinese path to modernization. The significance of highquality development of technology-focused think tanks, characterized by their knowledge and technology intensity, is increasingly evident. China’s science and technology think tanks have always adhered to the value concept of the Party’s leadership and the principle of putting the people first. They have developed a diversified and comprehensive integration model for think tanks. They offer a range of interdisciplinary products and boast specialized, composite scientific and …

Profiling Academicians Characteristics Of Chinese Academy Of Sciences: Analysis Of Newly Elected Academicians From 2005 To 2023, Qing Liu, Xuange Ma, Xiaosong He

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The title of Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) represents the highest accolade in China’s scientific research field. Profiling the characteristics of CAS academicians can provide crucial insights into the current state of scientific research in China and play a vital role in fostering innovation and cultivating talents for the society. This study conducted a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the birthplaces, ages, genders, educational backgrounds, institutional affiliations, and administrative roles of newly elected CAS academicians from 2005 to 2023. Several key findings are identified, including: (1) the majority of newly elected CAS academicians originate from eastern and central …

Research And Enlightenment On Eu Project Funding Pattern Throughout Innovation Value Chain Of Scientific Instruments, Lu Dong, Yizhan Li, Juan Chen, Zhiyuan Wang, Zexia Li, Yueqin Sun

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Scientific instruments are indispensable tools and means for scientific research, and they are important support and cornerstone of independent innovation. The development and construction of major research infrastructure has given rise to many scientific instruments and related technologies with industrial application prospects, but the transfer and transformation still have a long way to go. Based on the concept of “open science, open innovation, and open to the world”, the EU has established the ATTRACT project to try to accelerate the commercialization of the detection and imaging related technologies of major science and technology infrastructure as well as to construct a …

Research On Science And Technology Innovation Strategy And Policy System: “3+5” Analytical Framework, Jiaofeng Pan, Zihao He, Xiao Lu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As an important means of promoting national scientific and technological development, S&T innovation strategy and policy are advancing towards a multidimensional “synergy” among S&T, the economy, society, and the environment, and they need to encompass many internal and external elements of S&T system. Accordingly, an overall S&T policy framework covering key elements and relevant interactions should be constructed. This study proposes “3+5” analytical framework for S&T innovation strategy and policy. Specifically, (1) this study defines the conceptual connotation of “3+5” framework, and puts forward the “design layer” including guiding strategy, planning layout, and institutional arrangement, and the “construction layer” including …

Experience And Thinking Of Promoting Open Source Of Achievement Of State-Funded Scientific Research Projects, Yuntao Long, Zhe Wang, Zheping Xu, Tao Wang, Yungang Bao, Yanjun Wu, Qigang Zhu, Rong Gu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the era of digital economy, open source innovation has become the stimulator of innovation vitality, and is becoming an important source of high-quality supply of digital public goods. This study focuses on the importance of promoting the open source of state-funded scientific research projects, and summarizes the practical experience and policy measures of major countries and regions in the world on the open source of state-funded scientific research projects. It is also emphasized that the challenges of promoting the open source of state-funded scientific research projects in China. Suggestions for promoting the establishment of an open source mechanism of …

Analysis On Development Status And Characteristics Of Non-Governmental Bio-Safety And Bio-Security Think Tanks In The United States, Wenbing Ma, Qiang Song, Lei Wang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

At present, the complexity of bio-safety governance is becoming increasingly prominent, and complex issues such as security and development in the bio-economy, preparedness and response to infectious disease pandemics, the interweaving and integration of bio-security and other security factors, and the integration of scientific and technological factors and security factors urgently require think tanks to conduct systematic, comprehensive and forward-looking assessments and provide professional solutions. Rooted in the relatively mature experience in the construction of think tanks in the United States, a number of bio-safety and bio-security think tanks with greater influence have been developed, which have acted as an …

Measurement, Evolution And International Comparison Of National Science And Technology Competitiveness, Kaihua Chen, Xin Wen, Chao Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The measurement of national science and technology competitiveness helps to describe the international competition pattern, and to provide decision-making reference for future-oriented science and technology policy and strategy formulation. From the perspective of input-process-output, the study proposes a three-dimensional measurement framework of potential-efficiency-strength for national science and technology competitiveness and realizes a multi-dimensional comprehensive measurement of national science and technology competitiveness, which takes the differences in both scale and efficiency into account. Based on The Report on National Science and Technology Competitiveness 2023, the study measures the national science and technology competitiveness of 34 major countries in the world and …

Some Trends And Enlightenment Of Darpa-Like Agencies In The United States, Jun Qiu, Zheng Liang, Xinyi Gu, Jianxiang Yuan, Lan Xue

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the context of major-power interactions, science and technology has increasingly become the main battleground and the inevitable place of competition among major powers. The new scientific and technological revolution will reshape the growth and decline of the economic competitiveness of countries and the global competition pattern. In order to compete for the increasingly competitive scientific and technological commanding heights, the United States clones the successful Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which has been active and achieved many scientific and technological innovation achievements. Now, the United States plans to promote the establishment of agencies, such as the Advanced Research …

Chatgpt As Metamorphosis Designer For The Future Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai): A Conceptual Investigation, Amarjit Kumar Singh (Library Assistant), Dr. Pankaj Mathur (Deputy Librarian)

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research paper is to explore ChatGPT’s potential as an innovative designer tool for the future development of artificial intelligence. Specifically, this conceptual investigation aims to analyze ChatGPT’s capabilities as a tool for designing and developing near about human intelligent systems for futuristic used and developed in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Also with the helps of this paper, researchers are analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of ChatGPT as a tool, and identify possible areas for improvement in its development and implementation. This investigation focused on the various features and functions of ChatGPT that …

Construct 3e Theory For S&T Budget Performance Evaluation, Improve Effectiveness Of S&T Budget, Ruhan A, Xiaoxuan Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The current practices of S&T budget performance evaluation in China put more weight on efficacy than efficiency and effectiveness. This study puts forward an innovative 3E theory in the field of S&T budgeting performance evaluation based on Peter Checkland's 3E evaluation model and the existing practices of S&T budget performance evaluation in China. To unswervingly uphold and approach the new request for improving the S&T input effectiveness emphasized at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, it is a must to carry out a comprehensive S&T budget performance evaluation in the new era on the basis of the 3E theory …

Practice And Implications Of Funding And Management Of Alzheimer’S Disease Research Programs In The United States Federal Government, Zhiling Han, Baicun Li, Xiaoxi Xiao, Xiaoxuan Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

How to fund and manage major scientific projects of scientific frontier or national needs, including topic selection, funding programs, performance evaluation, etc., is an urgent problem facing in China. In this study, the federal government of the United States funding and organizing research on the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease was studied to reveal the key mechanisms behind its significant progress. It is found that the United States has formed a set of relatively mature and effective financial support mechanism in science and technology projects, including organization and mobilization, object management, performance evaluation, budget evaluation. This set of mechanism …

Evolution Trajectory Of Performance Evaluation Of The Us Federal Government S&T Budget, Cong Wu, Qing Han, Ruhan A

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Government performance evaluation in the US dates back to the early twentieth century, in which the performance evaluation of the US federal government S&T budget also follows its pattern and experiences historical evolution. Looking into the historical trajectory of performance evaluation of the US federal government S&T budget, this study divides its transformation into 3 phases, namely exploration stage, formation stage, and development stage. The study first analyzes the major traits and evaluation methods of each individual stage, and further gives out a general conclusion of the whole development trajectory based on a comprehensive analysis. Finally, based on the current …

Upgrading Allocation And Management Of S&T Funding, Improving Efficiency Of S&T Investment, Wenjun Liu, Geng Li, Fengyu Huang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The main focus of China's science and technology (S&T) investment has shifted from the lack of total investment to solve the contradiction between the need for high-quality development and the inefficiency of investment. In order to enhance the efficiency of S&T investment, the structural, institutional, and managerial problems should be solved. Based on the requirement of "enhancing the efficiency of S&T investment" raised at the 20th National Congress of the CPC, the study analyzes the main contradictions in China's S&T investment and factors that restrict the efficiency of S&T investment, and puts forward policy suggestions.

Practice And Thinking Of Agency Level Budget Performance Evaluation Pilot In Chinese Academy Of Sciences, Hao Tang, Ruhan A, Jun He, Kaiyue Feng, Jun Gao

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In accordance with the request of Ministry of Finance, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) conducts a pilot study of comprehensive budget performance evaluation among six affiliated institutes of CAS. The research gives a systematic reviewing analysis from the perspectives of the background of the pilot study, construction of the evaluation logic model, design of the evaluation indicator system, organization and implementation of the whole pilot study, and the resulted effects thereof based on the specific practices. In the meantime, upon exploring of issues, including but not limited to, coordination of all kinds of evaluation work, the uniqueness of science and …

Analysis And Thinking On Developing Evolution Of National Innovation System, Defang He, Fuqiang Tang, Tao Chen, Xianfeng Luo, Fangjuan Yang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As an important support for national security and socio-economic development, the national innovation system has been evolving continuously in the process of long-term historical evolution and selective construction. Based on the law of science and technology development, this study combines history study and logical analysis, and reveals the universal law and general trend of the national innovation system. Under the new development situation, this study also puts forward a common framework of national innovation system. The construction practice of China's national innovation system is summarized and suggestions are put forward to improve the overall efficiency of national innovation system.

Recommendations For Sustainable Tourism In Patagonia: An Exploratory Analysis Of Sustainable Tourism In Costa Rica, The Nordic Region, And Thailand’S Communities, Julia K. Lowery

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis explores different levels of governance and its role towards actualizing sustainable tourism in Patagonia. With the growing threat of climate change, international destinations such as Patagonia are looking to continue building their tourism industries in a sustainable way. Through analyzing case studies of national governance in Costa Rica, multi-national governance in the Nordic region, and community-based tourism in Thailand, we can better understand how each form of governance has the potential to create a sustainable tourism industry. With this understanding of successful governance in my case studies, as well as understanding the historical and political forces that have …

A Geographically Targeted Approach For A Preceptor Tax Incentive Using Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas (Hpsas), Julia Mattingly, Sarah Belcher, Samuel C. Kessler

Commonwealth Policy Papers

Years before the COVID-19 pandemic brought on a health care shortage in Kentucky, its rural areas were already struggling to obtain and attract primary care medical practitioners. Even though the number of medical school graduates in the U.S. has steadily increased throughout the years, there is a general disinterest in rural or small-town practice, and legislators throughout the country have pondered ways to address this issue plaguing communities. Versions of Preceptor Tax Incentive legislation in Kentucky have been proposed in the General Assembly to address care shortages in the state, however, all have been unsuccessful at truly targeting rural areas …

Mental Health In Massachusetts Prisons, Jeffrey Yung

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

In November of last year, former Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division released the findings of an investigation of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections (MDOC). They found several violations of prisoner’ constitutionals rights for mental health cases under the Eighth Amendment. The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments for criminal defendants. The findings reveal a lack of structured mental health care for MDOC prisoners, untrained employees, and unnecessary abuse of restrictive housing for prisoners designated under a mental health watch program.

An Inferentially Robust Look At Two Competing Explanations For The Surge In Unauthorized Migration From Central America, Nick Santos

Dissertations

The last 8 years have seen a dramatic increase in the flow of Central American apprehensions by the U.S. Border Patrol. Explanations for this surge in apprehensions have been split between two leading hypotheses. Most academic scholars, immigrant advocates, progressive media outlets, and human rights organizations identify poverty and violence (the Poverty and Violence Hypothesis) in Central America as the primary triggers responsible. In contrast, while most government officials, conservative think tanks, and the agencies that work in the immigration and border enforcement realm admit poverty and violence may underlie some decisions to migrate, they instead blame lax U.S. immigration …

Scottish Marine Renewable Energy: U.S. Approaches For Development Of Wave And Tidal Technologies, Stella Kathryn Fairall

Honors Theses and Capstones

Marine renewable energy, energy harnessed from various ocean resources such as waves, tides, currents, thermal gradients, and marine streams, has incredible potential in the United States. Several European countries have realized the potential of the resource in the North Sea and Atlantic and have created incredibly successful industries already. The United Kingdom, particularly Scotland, is the world leader because of the comprehensive policy, labor force, and markets it has established in order to make MRE a competitive energy source. In the United States, the industry is immature, underfunded, and lacks policy support. In order to establish itself as a world …