A Tent Census: How Counting Tents Informs An Understanding Of Unsheltered Homelessness In Seattle,
2025
Chapman University
A Tent Census: How Counting Tents Informs An Understanding Of Unsheltered Homelessness In Seattle, Karen A. Snedker, Jennifer Mckinney, Charles C. Lanfear
Sociology Faculty Articles and Research
Tents are a familiar sight across many U.S. cities, especially West Coast cities. In Seattle, given the high visibility of tents, public perceptions of a widespread problem, the uncertainty surrounding the city’s number of tents, and national data showing a rise in unsheltered homelessness, the authors decided to count tents. They conducted a tent census to obtain a full count of the number of tents in the city of Seattle as well as two resamples of highly populated areas of tents. In the tent census, and in the two resamples, the authors find support for three general expectations: the census …
Reassessing Policy Responses To Irregular Migration In Receiving Democracies: A Process-Tracing Analysis Of Transactional Migration Governance,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Reassessing Policy Responses To Irregular Migration In Receiving Democracies: A Process-Tracing Analysis Of Transactional Migration Governance, Otoniel Ramos
Student Research
This policy brief analyzes the growing use of transactional migration agreements (TMAs) by receiving democracies—bilateral arrangements that exchange financial or diplomatic concessions for the external enforcement of migration control. While politically expedient, TMAs often generate long-term strategic liabilities: they reduce state control over enforcement outcomes, expose receiving states to coercive leverage by partner states, and weaken normative commitments to transparency and rights protection. Using analytic process tracing and formal modeling, this paper identifies four recurring mechanisms by which TMAs evolve into systems of asymmetric dependence. It then evaluates three alternative policy frameworks—Exit Doctrine, Legal Category Reform, and a Structured Conditionality …
The Effects Of Family Cohesion On The Relationship Between Trauma And State-Level Social Policy Provision In The United States,
2025
Portland State University
The Effects Of Family Cohesion On The Relationship Between Trauma And State-Level Social Policy Provision In The United States, Brandon Kendall Ross Fielding
Dissertations and Theses
This dissertation examines how childhood trauma and family cohesion interact to shape state-level social policy generosity in the United States. The study begins with a multilevel quantitative analysis using data from the National Survey of Children’s Health and the State Safety-Net Generosity Index to assess how individual-level experiences of trauma and family support relate to state-level welfare generosity. Two trauma indices--one focused on adverse childhood experiences and bullying, and the other on food-related hardship--are used to explore how trauma influences attitudes toward public assistance, and whether family cohesion moderates this relationship. Results from marginal effects analyses indicate that family cohesion, …
Middle-Income Housing Affordability: An Exploration Of The Residual Income Approach In Delaware,
2025
Walden University
Middle-Income Housing Affordability: An Exploration Of The Residual Income Approach In Delaware, Alexis Bryan-Dorsey
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Families with children face challenges finding affordable housing. The research problem addressed through this quantitative group comparison design study was the need for alternative measures of determining housing affordability for families with children. Efforts to determine the best evaluation of housing affordability could help some families that may fall into the gap and lack a substantiated voice in the development of public policy. Researchers have demonstrated issues with housing affordability, such as the rising costs of housing and a shortage of affordable housing units but have not established the significance of using alternative measures to determine affordability and the implementation …
How Mass Incarceration Has Destroyed African American Communities,
2025
San Jose State University
How Mass Incarceration Has Destroyed African American Communities, Angeliki Karvounis
Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science
Beginning with the “Tough on Crime” movement of the 1970s, policies such as mandatory minimums, the War on Drugs, and the Three Strikes law have reinforced racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Multiple historical and systemic factors have contributed to the disproportionate imprisonment of African American individuals. This paper explores the long-term consequences of incarceration, including the erosion of family structures, the economic marginalization of affected communities, and the perpetuation of poverty and crime. The repercussions of parental incarceration on children and the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals seeking reintegration into society are examples of the long-term consequences …
The Lasting Effects Of Gun Violence On Victims And Communities,
2025
San Jose State University
The Lasting Effects Of Gun Violence On Victims And Communities, Anthony Do
Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science
Gun violence is a pressing public health and criminal justice issue with lasting effects on victims, families, and communities in the United States. The psychological impact of gun violence can contribute to conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and sleep deprivation. The issues are pronounced within marginalized or disadvantaged neighborhoods. The emergence of 3D-printed “ghost guns” presents further complications in the effort to regulate firearms. The United States stands out for its disproportionately high rates of firearm deaths. The findings in this paper highlight the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies that address both the current and future impacts …
Prisoner Reentry Into Society Viewed Through The Lens Of Women,
2025
San Jose State University
Prisoner Reentry Into Society Viewed Through The Lens Of Women, Jalak Parekh
Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science
In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon declared a War on Drugs and initiated a series of policies that were intended to combat the use of illegal drugs by implementing severe sentences for drug-related crimes. As a result, the focus of the criminal justice system veered away from rehabilitation efforts. Today, the U.S. criminal justice system has considerably high rates of recidivism. This paper examines the importance of successful reentry into society for formerly incarcerated women, especially those who must resume a caregiver role to their children. However, a relapse into criminal behavior seems imminent due to societal barriers in obtaining …
The Case Against Police Militarization: Stop Turning Police Into Soldiers,
2025
San Jose State University
The Case Against Police Militarization: Stop Turning Police Into Soldiers, Kenia A. Silva Garcia
Themis: Research Journal of Justice Studies and Forensic Science
This paper will critically explore police militarization in the United States, highlighting its origins, implications, and the urgent need to demilitarize them. The rise of militarized police forces began in the 1960s—the War on Drugs and federal programs that allowed military equipment to be transferred to local police departments made their expansion even more possible. Due to this expansion, this paper discusses that police should not be militarized because it increases violence, disproportionately affects marginalized communities, particularly racial minorities, and ultimately fails to reduce crime. Evidence suggests that militarized police forces foster systemic inequalities that are rooted in historical racism—a …
Shifting To A Culture Of Inclusion By Design: Applying A Mixed-Methods Approach To Advance Accessibility Of Public Health Emergency Information & Communication Technology,
2025
Georgia State University
Shifting To A Culture Of Inclusion By Design: Applying A Mixed-Methods Approach To Advance Accessibility Of Public Health Emergency Information & Communication Technology, Jessica L. Franks, Erin Vinoski Thomas
Developmental Disabilities Network Journal
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience inequities in access to timely, accurate, and understandable information and communication technology (ICT), which increases risk for public health emergency (PHE)-related health disparities and impedes opportunities to achieve optimal health. This study assessed federal COVID-19 webpage accessibility levels and explored existing knowledge of and experience with filing accessibility complaints for federal ICT among adults with IDD. Through a mixed-methods approach, we evaluated compliance with accessibility standards for 18 federal agencies’ COVID-19 webpages (study 1) and interviewed 16 adults with IDD about experiences accessing federal webpages and filing accessibility complaints (study 2). We …
Ai Governance In The Gaming Industry: A Proposal For A Use Case Registry,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Ai Governance In The Gaming Industry: A Proposal For A Use Case Registry, Cesar D. Lozoya Martinez
Student Research
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into everyday life. From customer service chatbots and marketing strategies to player protection tools and surveillance systems, casino operations are embracing the trend. However, without a systematic framework to track the current and emerging use cases across the industry, concerns about transparency, ethical use, and potential consumer harm continue to grow. Rather than aiming to establish binding regulatory practices for an industry and technology that are both quickly evolving, this policy brief advocates for the creation of an AI-use case registry. The registry would comprehensively track gaming companies that are using AI. The growing …
Legislative Transparency And Self-Government: Nevada And First Amendment Application,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Legislative Transparency And Self-Government: Nevada And First Amendment Application, Allister Dias
Student Research
With the rise in political tension in the United States, the call for transparency from elected officials has reached an all-time high. While the role of American democracy is to promote a sense of participation from constituents, the lack of information regarding policy decisions has exempted the public from the halls of the legislature. This policy brief examines legislative transparency in Nevada through the concept of self-government theory. Despite a 1994 constitutional amendment to require publicly accessible legislative committee meetings, exemptions from Open Meeting Law and statutory exemptions continue to limit public access and further the divide between the government …
Having A Home To Come Home To: How Subsidized Housing Impacts Unhoused Pregnant Women,
2025
University of San Francisco
Having A Home To Come Home To: How Subsidized Housing Impacts Unhoused Pregnant Women, Stephanie O. Porvaznik
Master's Projects and Capstones
Community based organizations (CBOs) lead the charge in the fight to end housing insecurity and often must make up where local governments fall short. San Francisco is an example of a municipality that has a long history of addressing instances of housing insecurity for its residents, and where CBOs step in to provide housing support for populations with unique and special circumstances. One CBO that operates in San Francisco that I was interested in studying was the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP), and the Jelani House, a housing subsidy that is funded and operated by the HPP for pregnant women who …
The Politics Of Being Heard: Communication And Power Struggles In Hunters Point Naval Shipyard,
2025
University of San Francisco
The Politics Of Being Heard: Communication And Power Struggles In Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, Caroline Trejo
Master's Projects and Capstones
The environmental and public health challenges in Bayview-Hunters Point have catalyzed widespread community activism, as residents and advocates respond to the ongoing fallout from radiological contamination at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Communication plays a vital role in bridging the gap between affected communities and government entities throughout the cleanup process. This research asks: how have the communication strategies of advocacy groups influenced government actions and policies during the Bayview-Hunters Point Shipyard cleanup? To explore this question, I conducted semi-structured interviews with three community advocates, two former members of a non-partisan civil jury, one independent researcher, and one government official. …
Pedaling Toward Justice: Exploring The Role Of Community Advocacy In Shaping Bicycle Policy In Oakland.,
2025
University of San Francisco
Pedaling Toward Justice: Exploring The Role Of Community Advocacy In Shaping Bicycle Policy In Oakland., Claire Farrell Lowe
Master's Projects and Capstones
The way people move through a city fundamentally shapes their access to jobs, essential services, and economic and social opportunities. While Oakland’s bicycle infrastructure has improved over the past decade, vehicle-centric planning has historically sidelined cycling, creating mobility inequities. This thesis examines the role of community advocacy in advancing equitable bicycle planning and prioritizing cycling infrastructure as a core element of urban development. This thesis project follows the question: what role do advocacy groups play in addressing the gaps between the Oakland Bicycle Plan and its implementation? Through policy analysis, community engagement, and interviews with key informants from Bike East …
Complaints Against Police Officers, Allegation Dispositions, And Suspension Length In New York City,
2025
Walden University
Complaints Against Police Officers, Allegation Dispositions, And Suspension Length In New York City, Nathan Michael Hunter
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Extant literature on police officer misconduct has shown that it was possible to identify problem officers in a proactive manner. Yet serious misconduct incidents continued to occur that strain the relationship between the public and police, including the government serving both entities. The New York Police Department was the largest city police force in the United States, with approximately 33,475 full-time sworn officers, and in 2023, New York City (NYC) paid $298 million in settlements related to claims against police officers. Considering this, further research into police officer misconduct was warranted to fill a gap in the literature that can …
The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Impact Of The Conditional Cash Transfer Program In Nigeria,
2025
Walden University
The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Impact Of The Conditional Cash Transfer Program In Nigeria, Oluseun Omolara Olagunju
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Despite several social investment programmes (SIPs) to reduce poverty, Nigeria had a high poverty rate, particularly in remote rural areas. The SIPs included conditional cash transfers (CCTs) to eligible households under certain conditions, such as extreme poverty in remote rural areas without access to water, electricity, shelter, basic health care, and education. While a few studies conducted on the effectiveness of CCTs have shown that Nigeria invested significant resources in poverty alleviation without the desired results due to factors like poor implementation and corruption, none reflects the perspective of CCT beneficiaries. The purpose of this study was to fill this …
Cyberterrorism And International Laws: Need For Cyber Inclusion,
2025
Walden University
Cyberterrorism And International Laws: Need For Cyber Inclusion, Carla A. Lechette-Danberry
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Cyberterrorists use cyberspace to communicate their threats and conduct their actions to intimidate their political, religious, or ideological control. The literature reviewed on cyberterrorism and international law has been limited and continues to develop as cyberterrorists develop their skills and capabilities to conduct cyberattacks. A gap exists in the literature on how nation-states respond to a cyberattack, cyber warfare, or cyberterrorism under international laws and policies. The problem is that international laws are being outpaced by the development of new technology, which cybercriminals and cyberterrorists can circumvent in order to escape punishment for a cyberattack. The purpose of this basic …
Federal Health Research Cuts In The Mountain West, 2025,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Federal Health Research Cuts In The Mountain West, 2025, Mia Tschan, Ivan Sun, Sydney Mitchell, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.
Health
This fact sheet presents data from the Science & Community Impacts Mapping Project (SCIMaP) report, “Impact of Federal Health Research Cuts,” which predicts economic and job losses resulting from proposed National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding/grants cuts for indirect research costs as of April 9, 2025. This fact sheet focuses on predicted economic and job loss for the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, and county-level data for the State of Nevada.
Climate Change Behind Prison Walls: Environmental Justice, Prison Abolition, And Social Welfare,
2025
Fordham University
Climate Change Behind Prison Walls: Environmental Justice, Prison Abolition, And Social Welfare, Mia Moody
Student Theses 2015-Present
Unbeknownst to many, human rights violations occur on a large scale behind prison walls. This paper examines some of these violations, especially those exacerbated by climate change, through an environmental lense in order to emphasize the need for social welfare-based solutions in the abolition of the prison industrial complex. It also seeks to illustrate the connection between the environmental justice movement and the prison abolition movement so that marginalized peoples may be free from shouldering disproportionate effects of environmental hazards and imprisonment. This paper is introduced with a brief overview of the human rights violations occurring in prisons. Using quantitative …
Three Essays On The Implications Of U.S. Social Welfare Spending Through The Tax Code,
2025
Syracuse University
Three Essays On The Implications Of U.S. Social Welfare Spending Through The Tax Code, Anna Wiersma Strauss
Dissertations - ALL
In the United States, tax credits are one of the primary ways the federal government supports families with children. This dissertation focuses on the effect of tax credits on the way recipients spend their time and money. I use time use data to examine how tax credits change recipients’ time allocated to both labor supply and caregiving. I use consumption data to examine changes in spending and savings behavior induced by tax credits. Combined, these elucidate the mechanisms through which these policies affect the well-being of recipients and their family members. My first chapter is the first study to examine …
