Social Science Presentations

A

Citiana Ali: Explaining the alcohol harm paradox: Socioeconomic deprivation may confer susceptibility to alcohol dependence via exposure to aversive experience, internalizing symptoms and drinking to cope, in sequence 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A8 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Explaining the alcohol harm paradox: Socioeconomic deprivation may confer susceptibility to alcohol dependence via exposure to aversive experience, internalizing symptoms and drinking to cope, in sequence 

According to the alcohol harm paradox, socioeconomic deprivation has a higher correlation with greater alcohol problems despite lower alcohol consumption. This has been studied, but the mechanisms that explain this relationship are not clear. A past study entitled “Risk Pathways Contributing to the Alcohol Harm Paradox: Socioeconomic Deprivation Confers Susceptibility to Alcohol Dependence via Greater Exposure to Aversive Experience, Internalizing Symptoms and Drinking to Cope” looked at these pathways. This study, which is still in progress, is replicating this study cross culturally and among college students. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Kinesiology with a concentration in Public Health

Faculty Mentor: Adrian Bravo, Psychology

B

Rachel Bartz: Biden's Bench: Strategy and Diversity in Staffing the U.S. Federal Courts

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C8 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Biden's Bench: Strategy and Diversity in Staffing the U.S. Federal Courts

During his first two years in office, President Joe Biden has acted quickly to appoint a diverse slate of federal judges. Remus made clear the administration’s preference for diversity in terms of “race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, and disability.” Remus also informed senators that Biden wanted to appoint candidates with diverse professional experience, such as “public defenders, civil rights and legal aid attorneys, and those who represent Americans in every walk of life.” 
Through this research, we examine the impact of Biden’s focus on ascriptive characteristics and diverse professional experience as it relates to the ideology of the nominees. The tendency of Republican presidents to concentrate less on ascriptive characteristics and more on nominees’ ideological makeup will be considered to determine if Biden’s strategy produces ideologically different appointments. We will also consider the effects these candidates’ experiences may play in their decisions. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: International Relations

Faculty Mentor: Christine Nemacheck, Government 

Benjamin Boateng: Examining Bias in Juvenile Without Parole Sentencing Post Miller V. Alabama Decision

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: H6 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Examining Bias in Juvenile Without Parole Sentencing Post Miller V. Alabama Decision

Over the past decade, Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP) sentencing has undergone a litany of legal and moral tests which inevitably led to the abolishing of its mandatory sentencing in the Supreme Court's Miller V. Alabama decision in 2012. However, from this decision, legal discrepancies concerning JLWOP sentencing rippled across America as states scrambled to bring their laws into federal guidelines. As a result, this caused for a series of new state and federal cases that further expanded or decreased juvenile protections in the sentencing realm due to clarifying questions arising from the original decision. Thus, an examination of the history of JLWOP sentencing and the biases inherent in the sentencing procedures is necessary. This will lead to a larger discussion on judicial federalism and how state courts interact with federal courts concerning the protection of individuals' rights.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Sociology and Public Policy

Faculty Mentor: Christine Nemacheck, Government

Lily Boone: African American Women Experiencing Disordered Eating and Body Dissatisfaction

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B12 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

African American Women Experiencing Disordered Eating and Body Dissatisfaction

Research has found that African American women are equally or less likely than Caucasian women to experience disordered eating. However, there are certain variables that solely pertain to African American women that do not affect their White counterparts. This review will investigate some of their unique variables that can contribute to an African American woman’s experience of disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. 15 articles were included in this study after a result of 60 articles. Black women have been underrepresented in disordered eating research. The results of this review disprove the stereotype that Black women are immune to the development of an eating disorder. Acculturation plays a role in black women feeling dissatisfied with their physical appearance in efforts to align with a more Western idea of beauty. In this study, binge eating was correlated with experiences of racism allowing the idea that binge eating is adopted as a coping strategy against the stress created by racism. The African American community tends to overlook obesity which encourages overeating. Related to this, the curvaceous ideal is the most widely celebrated physique in African American culture. A curvaceous body type allows for a heavier weight but promotes unrealistic standards to African American women. Black women who do not meet the curvaceous standard experience more body dissatisfaction.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology, Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, School Psychology

C

Caroline Callahan: Social Capital, Social Media, and Their Role in American Political Participation

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C10 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Social Capital, Social Media, and Their Role in American Political Participation

Americans’ ability to harness social capital, meaning interpersonal trust, norms, and reciprocity produced via social networks, improves civil society and the political realm. However, social scientists warn that American social capital has been declining for roughly fifty years. In my research, I sought to explore social capital trends since the mid-1900s, measured primarily by organizational membership rates. The data is inconsistent regarding whether Americans are socializing less in general, but it does support the conclusion that Americans are connecting less with their fellow citizens outside of their immediate circle of friends and family, partly due to the prevalence of television viewing and social media usage. Falling social capital, as a result of these factors, threatens political participation in the United States, as group membership fosters trust and personal efficacy that positively influences civic engagement. Based on my findings, which include data from the National Election Survey and Congress’ Geography of Social Capital in America report, I posit that declining social capital is negatively affecting American society by preventing the formation of trusting relationships that influence political efficacy and community-serving agency.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government Major and Economics Minor

Faculty Mentor: Clayton Clemens, Government

Abby Carlson: Measuring Approach and Avoidance Behavior in Children 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A16 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Measuring Approach and Avoidance Behavior in Children

Our study aims to develop a valid behavioral measure of children’s hesitancy to eat new foods (food neophobia). We are using an online approach-avoidance behavioral task in which 4-7 year old children are asked to either press a button to "push" images of foods away or "pull" them toward themselves to indicate whether they are “yucky” or “yummy”. This behavioral measure will provide researchers and clinicians with a flexible and effective tool for measuring food neophobia in children.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience

Faculty Mentor: Catherine Forestell, Neuroscience

Georgia Clark, Stephanie Choi: Procedural Justice in the Richmond, VA Eviction Court

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G1 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Procedural Justice in the Richmond, VA Eviction Court

In the summer of 2022, we observed eviction court proceedings in Richmond’s John Marshall General District Court. We took note of the length of the hearings and patterns in legal representation, case outcomes, and procedural justice. We observed a range of judicial and courtroom practices that produced very different outcomes for tenants facing eviction. One practice that we found notable was the role of judicial discretion in eviction cases, and we discussed this topic with sitting judges after the day’s docket was completed. We used this data to create an accessible database and to analyze and identify patterns in eviction court proceedings. In this poster, we summarize our findings and discuss opportunities to reduce eviction and advance justice in Virginia.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Georiga: Government and Sociology, Stephanie: Undeclared

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

Lucy Clement: Examining the Effects of the Rwandan Genocide on the United Nations' Peacekeeping Policy 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B8 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Examining the Effects of the Rwandan Genocide on the United Nations' Peacekeeping Policy

I will be researching how the United Nations' response to the Rwandan genocide has impacted current United Nations (UN) policy and behavior when addressing rising threats of mass violence. The UN response to the Rwandan genocide and the months of escalating tensions that preceded it has been largely criticized for failing to do enough to prevent or intervene in the genocide. This research will help to determine how the UN has adapted its peacekeeping policies in the aftermath of the failures of its response to the Rwandan genocide, and if the UN is adequately prepared to prevent future acts of mass violence.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Major: Government, Minor: Economics

Faculty Mentor: Marcus Holmes, Government

D

Marissa Del Zingaro: A Natural Connection: College Students’ Relationship With Nature and Academic Greenspaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C13 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

A Natural Connection: College Students’ Relationship With Nature and Academic Greenspaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The notion of a restorative relationship between humans and nature is not a new phenomenon, but it was not until the COVID-19 virus spawned a global health crisis that people began to recognize nature’s benefits. The evidence in existing literature has demonstrated nature’s favorable impact on mental health, well-being, attention capacity, and stress levels. However, the positive results nature provides are not equitable across individuals. Therefore, researchers are investigating how personality traits can explain the differences that persist in people’s inclination to be in nature and the psychological benefits they gain. This research aimed to further explore the human-nature relationship, with a focus on college students, a population that faced numerous mental health challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study observed how academic greenspaces are used by students on William & Mary’s campus and collected data on personality traits, measures of well-being, and time spent in nature from W&M students.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology, Kinesiology & Health Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Jaclyn Moloney, Psychological Sciences

Mitchell Doherty: GM Crops: Innovation and Countermovements

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A12 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

GM Crops: Innovation and Countermovements

This project is an exploration of existing research and literature on the creation, distribution, use of, and opposition to genetically modified crops, particularly throughout the global South. It has culminated in the creation of a website that provides background on the role of GM crops and primarily examines the tensions between agricultural technology transnationals and food sovereignty movements. This website is intended to serve as a primer for those interested in food sovereignty and the consequences of GM crops for farmers around the globe. Issues examined include monopolistic practices, biopiracy, peasant movements, farmers' and indigenous rights, and trade relations. This project has served as a valuable learning experience, serving as an exercise in web design and concision, with efforts made to keep the website at an introductory level.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Biology

Faculty Mentor: Brent Kaup, Sociology

Allison Dolan: Do young adults’ autistic behaviors predict gaze patterns and emotion identification of social videos? 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G3 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Do young adults’ autistic behaviors predict gaze patterns and emotion identification of social videos? 
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which individuals struggle with social interaction and communication. These social difficulties could be linked to different gaze patterns which lead to differences in emotion identification. This study used eye tracking technology to investigate the differences in gaze patterns of individuals with ASD traits and those without. The participants were shown scenes that each contained an emotion ranging from simple (happy, sad) to complex (interested, kind). Participants were then asked to complete questionnaires to gauge their level of autistic traits and social anxiety. We hypothesized that individuals with higher traits of autism would fixate less on social areas of interest (AOI) than their neurotypical peers. The gaze patterns of the participants will be analyzed by summing and averaging the AOI hits from each emotional scenario that was watched, and then interpreted by whether they focused more on social or non-social areas.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience major, Psychology minor

Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Dickter & Joshua Burk, Psychology

Julia Drennan: Maskfishing: The Effect of Masking on Our Ability to Predict Faces

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C12 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Maskfishing: The Effect of Masking on Our Ability to Predict Faces

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated worldwide mask mandates and added a new term to the common vernacular: maskfishing. This term refers to when an unfamiliar individual’s face is seen for the first time without a mask, evoking surprise because it does not look as predicted. The current study investigates maskfishing by first testing whether highly unusual faces elicit more surprise when a half-face and then a full-face image is shown. Participants' facial prediction capabilities were also assessed by matching the upper half of a face to one of three jawline options. The results showed that self-reported surprise evoked by High vs. Low Unusual faces exhibited a marginally statistically significant difference. Participants also correctly guessed the jawline, regardless of unusualness, 36% of the time, and showed an overall preference for incorrectly guessing the High Attractive option. This study provides some preliminary empirical investigation of maskfishing, however, further study is still required.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Biology & Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

F

Anya Ford: The Success of Students Virtual Tutoring

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B13 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Success of Students Virtual Tutoring

The Success of Students Virtual Tutoring program is a partnership between W&M’s School Counselor and School Psychology programs and New Zion Baptist Church in Williamsburg, VA. The program is a community-engaged initiative that connects graduate school psychology and school counseling students to culturally diverse families affiliated with New Zion Baptist to meet the growing need for academic and social-emotional support services for K-12 students displaced from in-person learning due to the current pandemic. The aim of the program is to provide W&M school counseling and school psychology students with a unique experiential learning opportunity to serve their local community by providing K-12 youth at New Zion Baptist Church with individualized support for their remote learning experiences (i.e., homework assistance, academic tutoring, social-emotional support).

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience Pre Med

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, Psychology 

G

Soleil Garnett: Data Analytics & DEI Strategies: Profiles In Leadership

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A19 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Data Analytics & DEI Strategies: Profiles In Leadership

Through qualitative data analysis of the Mursion avatar-based simulations, I explored the question of what strategies can we identify that leaders use to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI)? I’m the simulations, individuals must confront and address the real but often unintended effects of implicit bias, productively address the inevitable conflict sparked by diversity, be willing to listen to and change in response to diverse voices, and advocate for change in the face of resistance without being afraid of cancellations and risks/missteps. By coding, we can identify how the simulations give us insight on how language, interpretation, and social cues can affect how people in leadership positions navigate and behave in difficult situations. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: English & sociology

Faculty Mentor: Inga Carboni, Business school

Becca Gaylin: Allah as an Attachment Figure: Exploring Attachment Styles and Evolved Relationship Mechanisms in Islam

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C22 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Allah as an Attachment Figure: Exploring Attachment Styles and Evolved Relationship Mechanisms in Islam

A large body of literature discussing the links between attachment theory and religion suggests that in many religions, God can function as an attachment figure for believers. While the majority of said literature explores religious attachment in relation to Christianity, this paper discusses attachment as it can be found within Islam. Much like Christianity, secure attachment to God or Allah can be found in Islam, due to the fact that Muslim believers seek and maintain proximity to Allah, Allah serves as a haven of safety and secure base for His followers, and Muslims feel anxiety and grief at the idea of being separated from God. Much of Islam is about intense devotion and personal connection to God, and such a relationship and religious commitment lends itself to the idea that Muslims can foster this type of deep, secure attachment between God and believer. While some previous literature has already discovered the connections between Islam and attachment mechanisms, this paper will also focus on a different psychological mechanism altogether. In some cases, relation to Allah can function instead as a dominance hierarchy, where believers feel submission and relinquish complete control over their lives to a dominant, more controlling, harsher god. Overall, a relationship with Allah is characterized by elements of both love and fear, and it is possible for some Muslims to feel personally and securely attached to Allah, while others may feel a more hierarchical relationship with a dominating God better describes their relationship with Him. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology and Religious Studies 

Faculty Mentor: Lee Kirkpatrick, Psychological Sciences 

Nora Gentry: Fixating on Failure: The Relationship of Perfectionism Trait Dimensions on Self-Critical Rumination

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B1 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Fixating on Failure: The Relationship of Perfectionism Trait Dimensions on Self-Critical Rumination

Rumination is a type of repetitive thinking focused on past events that invoked negative emotions. Perfectionism is a disposition characterized by setting unrealistically high expectations for personal performance. Both excessive rumination and perfectionism are associated with emotional distress and psychological disorders. Researchers have proposed the existence of several subtypes within the constructs of rumination and perfectionism and developed corresponding scales to measure these subtypes. This study used the Big Three Perfectionism Scale–Short Form (BTPS-SF) and the Self-Critical Rumination Scale (SCRS) to examine the relationships between the 3 global factors in BTPS (rigid, self-critical, and narcissistic perfectionism) and self-critical rumination. The results of this study indicate a significant positive correlation between self-critical perfectionism and self-critical rumination; a slightly weaker but still significant positive correlation between rigid perfectionism and self-critical rumination; and a not significant correlation between narcissistic perfectionism and self-critical rumination. This suggests a significant overlap among people with certain perfectionism traits and self-critical rumination.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology, Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

Elizabeth Germain: Perceived Descriptive Norms and College Students’ Sleep Habits

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C15 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Perceived Descriptive Norms and College Students’ Sleep Habits

The present study explored the relationship between perceived descriptive norms and college students’ sleep habits. College students (N = 127) self-reported their sleep hygiene behaviors, sleep duration, and sleep quality, then estimated the responses they believed the average student at their school would provide. Students also reported their demographic characteristics, indicated whether they had sought or would consider seeking help for sleep, and ranked their prioritization of several daily tasks, including sleep. Results indicated that students overestimated the negative sleep habits of other students and underestimated the sleep duration and quality reported by other students. The greater their overestimation of other students’ sleep hygiene problems, the more sleep problems students displayed. No difference in estimated sleep problems was found between students who expressed interest in seeking help for sleep problems and students who did not. Future research could investigate interventions to correct misperceptions regarding norms to improve student sleep habits. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology and Sociology (majors)

Faculty Mentor: Madelyn Labella, Psychology

H

Sa'nia Heckstall: Influence of Racial Conservatism on Critical Race Theory Opinions

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B9 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Influence of Racial Conservatism on Critical Race Theory Opinions

Due to the rise of anti-CRT sentiment, this project attempts to find a correlational relationship between racial conservatism and CRT opinions among White Americans. For this project, racial conservatism refers to the idea that race and racism are no longer an issue for minorities in the United States. To establish this, an exit poll will be conducted during the upcoming election in Williamsburg, VA. The exit poll will use the Kinder and Sanders racial resentment scale to measure racial conservatism. Additionally, the survey will measure respondents’ opinions regarding CRT using a self-designed survey. Once the results are gathered, the appropriate statistical means will be used to establish if there is a correlational relationship. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government

Faculty Mentor: Mackenzie Israel-Trummel, Government

Anna Hendrickson: Diet Culture Damage: An Analysis of Thin Ideal Messaging in Women's Health Magazine

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C5 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Diet Culture Damage: An Analysis of Thin Ideal Messaging in Women's Health Magazine

Women’s health magazines are a documented source of idealized messaging surrounding female bodies. The “thin ideal” as it is shown in the media has been found to make women feel worse about themselves and their bodies, in messages with and without images. Recent years have seen cultural shifts and social movements such as the body positivity movement that could affect the prevalence of these messages. In addition, magazine media has been found to use persuasive elements such as self-efficacy language in communication of these ideas. This study is an analysis of messaging in Women's Health Magazine over the last 15 years; it encompasses communication of the thin ideal, messaging content and outcomes, and the use of persuasive elements.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Kinesiology

Faculty Mentor: Catherine Forestell, Psychology

Ava Hession-Landman, Maggie Inglesby: Procedural Justice in the Newport News, VA Eviction Court

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C4 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Procedural Justice in the Newport News, VA Eviction Court

As a part of Professor Hanley's Eviction Crisis Project, in summer 2022 we observed eviction court proceedings in Newport News. We analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data via direct observation of eviction cases and archival data collection of court databases. From our data collection and analysis, we observed a range of judicial and courtroom practices that created unequal power dynamics among court actors, creating disadvantaged outcomes for tenants facing eviction. In this poster we summarize our findings and discuss opportunities to reduce eviction and advance justice in Virginia.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Ava: Major: Sociology, Minor: Management and Organizational Leadership, Maggie: Sociology and Government

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

I

Faiza Isa, Summy Baloch, Yining Li, Muhammad Rathore: IDEA Hub Report on Assistive Technology

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G4 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

IDEA Hub Report on Assistive Technology

According to The Global Report on Assistive Technology, more than 2.5 billion people need at least one assistive technology (AT) to support their communication and cognitive needs. There is a lack of general knowledge about ATs for employees with mobile, auditory, cognitive, and visual impairments, which often leads to a lack of knowledge of how ATs could integrate into the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system such as Workday, the report aims to provide more information on ATs for employees with disability. This report identifies obstacles faced by employees with auditory, visual, cognitive, and mobility impairments in the workplace, provides recommendations for ATs with detailed descriptions to overcome those obstacles, presents best practices used by organizations to increase productivity, highlights challenges for persons with disabilities using ERP systems and compatibility with plug-in ATs, and emphasizes built-in accessible features on ERP, Windows, and mobile devices.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Faiza: Public Policy Major, Summy: Finance, Yining: Applied Math and Economics, Muhammad: Business Analytics

Faculty Mentor: Eleanor Loiacono, Business Analytics

J

Sanjoli Jain: Myth Vs. Fact: How Mythbusting, or Lack Thereof, Affected the Lives of Americans in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: E2 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Myth Vs. Fact: How Mythbusting, or Lack Thereof, Affected the Lives of Americans in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Social media heavily sways people’s opinions, becoming a determining factor in how a country approaches conflict. My research aimed to analyze how the engagement with misinformed posts about the COVID-19 vaccines affects the vaccination status of the United States. Through data collected from OurWorldToday, I measured vaccination status as the proportion of Americans that newly received a vaccine dose everyday. In addition, I measured engagement based on likes from social media posts both promoting vaccine misinformation or posts debunking this misinformation with evidence. Both data sets displayed day-to-day changes, but suggest an influence between social media engagement and vaccination. An increase in misinformation correlated with a decrease in new vaccinations and an increase in combating misinformation correlated with an increase in new vaccinations. My findings suggest when the influence of unfiltered social media is unchecked, it has the ability to promote public health initiatives in a positive or negative light.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience, Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Sarah Menefee, Kinesiology & Health Sciences

Jada Jones: Decolonizing Service Learning in School Mental Health Fields

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C17 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Decolonizing Service Learning in School Mental Health Fields

This phenomenological study used individual interviews with nine graduate students in school counseling and school psychology to understand their experiences in a University-Church service-learning partnership to support PreK-12th grade youth in response to COVID-19. Most graduate participants identified as women of color, and all youth served identified as Black. Hence, the study's purpose was to examine participants’ (a) general perceptions of the program and (b) perceptions of how the program contributed to their multicultural competence and social justice-orientation. Findings reflect four broad themes for research aims: (a) community building,  (b) empowerment of marginalized students, (c) reenergized and restorative sentiments and (d) critical reflections of the program. Recommendations for school mental health training programs are offered.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Business Analytics (Data Science) & International Relations

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, Education

Jai Jones, Benjamin Egan, Alexa Benack: Stress, Parenting, and Toddlers' Self-regulation Skills

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C14 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Stress, Parenting, and Toddlers' Self-regulation Skills

The purpose of this project is to examine the influence of sociodemographic factors, parenting and parent-child interactions on toddler emotional regulation. It is based on research surrounding the importance of the development of emotion regulation as an early skill for future socioemotional and cognitive well-being. This research has also indicated that much of this early emotion regulation development is dependent on what is taught and emulated by parents or caretakers. Participants of the current study are parent-toddler dyads recruited from the local Tap Head Start program, as well as the greater Williamsburg community, and are of diverse sociodemographic backgrounds. These participant pairs are then guided through a series of activities meant to identify possible risk and protective factors for toddler emotional regulation, in the hopes of informing future interventions to promote adaptive toddler emotion regulation.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Jai: Psychology, Benjamin: Psychology, Alexa: Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Madelyn Labella, Psychology

K

Elyssa Kancherla, Roman Kelly: Psychological Impact of Exposure to High Schools Named After Confederate Leaders

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C18 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Psychological Impact of Exposure to High Schools Named After Confederate Leaders

Confederate leaders serving in the Civil War were in support of slavery which was abolished in 1865. However, there are still schools in the United States named after Confederate leaders and other individuals who had ties to racism. Throughout recent years, many have debated on whether or not the schools should be renamed because of the psychological harm their names could cause. Therefore, for this project, 750 participants were recruited and asked to complete a survey on their identity, political ideology, racial attitudes, feelings toward their high school, academic performance, and opinions toward changing the names of high schools named after Confederate leaders. The purpose of this project is to assess whether attending a high school named after a Confederate leader affects minority adults’ sense of belonging or academic performance. We will also examine whether attitudes toward changing high school names are associated with political ideology and racial attitudes.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Elyssa: Major: Kinesiology & Health Sciences; Minor: Biochemistry, Roman: Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Cheryl Dickter, Psychology Department

Katherine Kelly: Meeting the Mental Health Demand: Teaching Therapeutic Techniques through Video Content

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B19 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Meeting the Mental Health Demand: Teaching Therapeutic Techniques through Video Content

With the demand for therapy exceeding current resources, it is important to consider alternative methods for improving mental health. Using videos to present therapeutic techniques is a promising option due to the growth of video platforms as an information source. In my research, I summarized the strategies that current literature suggests for creating engaging videos. Then, I applied these video creation strategies to the creation of 10 self-help videos, with each video teaching a therapeutic skill. 5 videos teach skills from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, including changing dysfunctional automatic thoughts, identifying cognitive distortions, changing dysfunctional core beliefs, and improving self-esteem. 5 additional videos teach Distress Tolerance Skills from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, including the STOP skill, Pros and Cons skill, TIP skill, and self-soothing strategies.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychological Sciences; Kinesiology and Health Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Meghan Quinn, Psychological Sciences

Sophie Kim: Christian Nationalism and Gun Control

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D18 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Christian Nationalism and Gun Control

Gun control is a hot topic issue with increasing public concern. Existing research explores factors that influence opinions on gun control, particularly partisanship. However, religious factors are noticeably absent, despite being a strong influence on gun control attitudes. Christian nationalists partake in a religious framework in which America is founded on Christian beliefs and values. Therefore, they believe that America’s problems, including mass shootings, are the consequences of straying further away from Christian values. They also believe that the second amendment is a God given right, which drives greater gun control opposition. Hence, I hypothesize that Christian nationalists are more likely to oppose gun control legislation due to their religious and cultural beliefs than those who do not identify with these beliefs. I plan to conduct an exit poll in Williamsburg, Virginia after the November 2022 election to measure Christian nationalist identification and gun control attitudes to test my hypothesis.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government, Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Mackenzie Israel-Trummel, Government

Katherine Kivimaki: Transit-Oriented Development in Los Angeles: An Evaluation of Recent Housing Development in its Relation to Public Transit Quality

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: J1 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Transit-Oriented Development in Los Angeles: An Evaluation of Recent Housing Development in its Relation to Public Transit Quality

Since the early twentieth century, automobiles have dominated transportation in the United States, creating the modern phenomenon of urban sprawl. Recent years have seen a push to improve public transportation in highly urbanized areas, and to construct more dense housing to make this transportation more accessible. This project seeks to determine if new residential development is lining up with areas of efficient public transit, and if it favors certain demographics over others. I focus on Los Angeles, using Seattle for a comparative analysis. Drawing on data from NHGIS, Walk Score, and other public sources, I analyze the interactions and connections between public transit, housing development, and demographics. The data reveals that while Seattle’s public transit system and historical efforts to build transit-oriented development are more effective than in Los Angeles, it is Los Angeles that has made more recent progress towards inclusive transit-oriented development.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Public Policy

Faculty Mentor: Tate Twinam, Economics

Sage Kregenow: Assessing Pierce County Library Communications 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C7 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Assessing Pierce County Library Communications 

I worked with some of the librarians of the Pierce County Library System to see what information would be most beneficial for me to try and gain from this survey. I put together a survey to assess why people were visiting the libraries, and how they hear about different programs with an additional question about how they would prefer to learn about programs as well as the participant's age to see if there was any age correlation with communication methods. I then distributed paper copies of my survey as well as a flyer with the QR code link in the library and waited for responses. I collected responses with the aim to discover trends in media communication and learn what avenues should be emphasized.  

Student Major(s)/Minor: Chemistry, Classical Studies

Faculty Mentor: Jessica Paga , Classics

L

Benjamin Levin: Toeing the Nine-Dash Line: The Impacts of China's South China Sea Ambition

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A21 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Toeing the Nine-Dash Line: The Impacts of China's South China Sea Ambition

Claimed in sections by all its littoral states, the South China Sea (SCS) is home to some of the world’s most contentious border disputes. China’s vast, provocative claim, defined by a series of nine dashes drawn over an SCS map, causes much of the tension, as China is the region’s preeminent power, and this nine-dash line overlaps with every other littoral state's claims. Motivating each nation, the oil and natural gas resources in the SCS are important to every claimant state’s energy security. Simultaneously, China is attempting to grow its political and economic reach through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a fact with which the other SCS claimants must contend. This research examines how China’s SCS ambitions regarding BRI and energy security have impacted Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines, and Vietnam and concludes that China’s pursuits have harmed its fellow SCS claimant states.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Economics

Faculty Mentor: John Lopresti, Economics

Isabel Li: Measuring Child Food Neophobia

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A17 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Measuring Child Food Neophobia

Child food neophobia refers to a child's aversion to trying novel foods or unknown textures and flavors. Food neophobic behavior appears to be a normal phase of child development, but since dietary habits in childhood greatly impact those of adulthood, researching methods to address child food neophobia is highly important. However, designing effective solutions to promote healthy diets in children requires measures that accurately assess child food neophobia. Some past studies examining child food neophobia have implemented a modified version of the adult food neophobia scale questionnaire, which fails to assess food neophobia from a child's perspective, as the adult scale requires parents to answer on behalf of their child. Other studies have utilized other measures that do not properly address the underlying mechanisms motivating food neophobic behaviors. Professor Forestell's lab is currently testing the efficacy of a new measure to assess child food neophobia that addresses the issues presented by previous child neophobia scales. This project will summarize and evaluate these antecedent scales and demonstrate how this novel child food neophobia scale improves upon prior measures. 

Faculty Mentor: Catherine Forestell, Psychology

Ryleigh Line: Hello Commodity: the Emergence of Sanrio, Inc. Kyarakutā

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D8 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Hello Commodity: the Emergence of Sanrio, Inc. Kyarakutā

Smileless yet welcoming, Hello Kitty greets a global audience from an array of widely-available products including notebooks, bedsheets, keychains, and even sanitary pads. Hello Kitty and Sanrio rival franchises like Marvel, Minecraft, and Harry Potter, which all market merchandise to children by offering to connect them with their favorite stories. How has this enigmatic cute-cool cat, alongside the 450+ other characters trademarked by Sanrio, Inc. since 1974, gained such global popularity as a contextless icon? Consumers do not buy a Pompompurin phone case, a Keroppi hair clip, or a My Melody pillow because they recognize these characters from a show, book, or movie. This project examines the aspects of the Japanese kyarakutā, an icon without context, and the very successful commodification of Sanrio, Inc. kyarakutā as a response to Japan’s kawaii and shojō cultures and the demand for fanshii guzzu (fancy goods) in a society that prioritizes gift-giving and souvenirs.

Student Major(s)/Minor: International Relations and Japanese Studies double major

Faculty Mentor: Michael Cronin, Japanese Studies

Katie Lynch: Gaps in Mental Health Education and Resulting Stigma

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B5 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Gaps in Mental Health Education and Resulting Stigma

The present study aimed to identify where gaps in mental health education (MHE) exist in formal school settings and whether that has an effect on stigmas toward mental illness in current college undergraduates. Previous studies found that experience with mental illness decreased attitudes of stigma; additionally, gender predicted stigma, with males portraying higher levels. Therefore, this study looked at the relationship between formal MHE and existing stigmas with gender and personal experience as moderating variables. Stigma was measured using the Prejudice towards People with Mental Illness (PPMI) scale (Kenny et al., 2018). The hypothesis that less formal MHE would indirectly correlate with existing stigmas was not supported. Further, the hypothesis that gender as a moderating variable predicts existing stigmas, with men holding more stigmatizing attitudes, was supported. The third hypothesis states that any experience of therapy or mental illness diagnosis, whether personal or within the family, predicts less stigma, and this was supported.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology major, Creative Writing minor

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

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Grace Mak: Identifying and Evaluating for Key “High Quality” Executive Function-Promoting Traits in Children’s Television Shows

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: H5 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Identifying and Evaluating for Key “High Quality” Executive Function-Promoting Traits in Children’s Television Shows

Children’s television shows have become popular education and entertainment tools for impressionable children, bringing to question their effects on executive function development - a potential contributing factor to risk of developing mental health issues. This research involves reviewing past literature addressing television’s effects on executive function development and identifying mediating and moderating factors on this effect. Mediators identified include aspects of television content, such as genre, intended audience, animated vs. live programming, pacing, degree of fantasy, frequency of violence, frequency of prosocial behaviors, and interactivity. Moderators include contextual factors such as the child's age and cumulative risk, degree of parental involvement and control in the child's life and television viewing, and foreground vs. background viewing. Based on these factors, popular children’s shows today were evaluated and ranked; the findings were presented on a website designed for parents looking for a science-based guide in choosing appropriate media exposure for their children.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience

Faculty Mentor: Meghan Quinn, Psychology

Naomi Marin, Emiko O'Cadiz: The Role of Legal Aid in Alexandria, VA's Eviction Court

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A14 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Role of Legal Aid in Alexandria, VA's Eviction Court

In summer 2022 we observed eviction court proceedings in Alexandria, Virginia's eviction court. We took note of the length of the hearings using stopwatches. We also observed patterns in legal representation -or lack thereof-, case outcomes, and procedural justice. We took this mixture of quantitative and qualitative data into account to begin synthesizing observations for one region out of Hanley's larger project. In this poster we summarize our findings and discuss opportunities to reduce eviction and advance justice in Virginia.
There are several other groups of students who did this project with us across Virginia who will be presenting as well. The other regions were a lot less understanding of people's eviction situations than Alexandria, so it will be interesting to explore the commonalities and differences among the regions of Virginia's civil courts.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Naomi: Economics, Math, Emiko: Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

Gisi Martinez-Campa: Forging Individual and Collective Identities in Computer Science for High School Students of Color

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C19 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Forging Individual and Collective Identities in Computer Science for High School Students of Color
I, a Latina computer science major, researched equity-oriented STEM/computer science curricula for rising ninth graders to create a six-day summer camp lesson plan to teach students about the basics of a computer science algorithm. The students were taught how to use sequences, conditionals, and loops. With two days of instruction on each topic, the students learned how to think critically about where they can see these computer science concepts in their lives and the lives of others around them. The students answered two prompts after each topic to collect data on the students’ sense of belonging in STEM, their understanding of the lessons, and whether or not the lessons changed their perspective on coding. Most of the students had a positive change in their attitudes towards computer science. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Computer Science Major

Faculty Mentor: Meredith Kier, School of Education

Amaiya Mauney: It was all a D.R.E.A.M.: Socio-Emotional Curriculum and its impact on the Self-Perceptions of Marginalized Youth

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C21 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

It was all a D.R.E.A.M.: Socio-Emotional Curriculum and its impact on the Self-Perceptions of Marginalized Youth

Socio-emotional learning and development is not a focus of traditional school curriculum nor is it a focus in the classroom. In collaboration with Newport News Public Schools, we integrated the D.R.E.A.M. pilot curriculum with William and Mary's Camp EAGER. Through this STEM camp, we facilitated socio-emotional dialogue and conducted interactive activities surround themes of goal-setting, values and strengths, and other socio-emotional skills. This study seeks to explore the inclusion of socio-emotional curriculum in summer enrichment programs and its impact on the self-perceptions of marginalized youth.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Biology, Kinesiology and Health Science (minor)

Faculty Mentor: Meredith Kier, Education

Courtney Maynard: Does Transportation Matter? Determining Risk Factors For Food Insecurity in Loudoun County, Virginia 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B20 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Does Transportation Matter? Determining Risk Factors For Food Insecurity in Loudoun County, Virginia

 
Food insecurity is a human development problem that exists in nearly all communities but varies in how it is measured, such as food accessibility versus food affordability. This paper explores whether transportation time to food sources of different quality is a possible factor impacting food insecurity. Loudoun County, Virginia was used as the source of the data, which was gathered using geographic centers of census tracts and measuring travel times to closest fresh and non-fresh food sources by the time it takes to travel by walking, biking, driving, and taking public transportation to the food sources. Data were analyzed and visualized using ArcGIS. Results revealed that transportation times can be an indicator of food insecurity in rural, low-income communities but not in suburban or urban areas. Future research and programs to address food insecurity should focus on small communities rather than regional or statewide food insecurity determinants. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Computer Science Major, Data Science Minor

Faculty Mentor: Daniel Runfola, Data Science

Kate Meredith: Investigating the Individual Factors that Affect Embarrassing Moment Memory Recall

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C16 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Investigating the Individual Factors that Affect Embarrassing Moment Memory Recall

Few studies have explored beyond the broad link between autobiographical memories and a person’s negative and positive affect. This study was designed to look at the individual factors that affect the ease of remembering an embarrassing event. The specific emotion of embarrassment was used due to hypothesized theories that embarrassment serves as a window into a person’s goals and values, and provides feedback on performed behaviors. A two-part questionnaire will be created and distributed to William and Mary college students. The first part will ask participants to remember and write down a memory they have experienced from different ages in their life with a specific emotion attached to it. For example, they might be asked to recall a sad memory from elementary school. How long they take to begin writing down this memory will be recorded. The second part of the questionnaire will include a series of scales that are thought to assess a person’s embarrassability, social anxiety, self-consciousness, and self-identity. It might also include other related scales such as the Self-Monitoring Scale, the Social Avoidance and Distress scale, and the Survey of Autobiographical Memory. Data analysis will compare the times it takes to recall the different kinds of memories to the scores on the individual scales.

Student Majors/Minor: Primary major: Physics with a concentration in Engineering Physics and Applied Design Secondary Major: Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Christopher Ball, Psychology

Yusra Mohammed: A Systematic Review of Black Muslim Youth’s Experiences and Well-Being

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A18 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

A Systematic Review of Black Muslim Youth’s Experiences and Well-Being

I will be examining the experiences of Black Muslim Youth, with a focus on intersectionality and well-being. I will also be identifying common themes surrounding wellness that allows Black Muslim students to thrive under various forms of adversity. In taking into account the negative experiences of the Black Muslim Youth, I will also identify the themes that positively impact the well-being and development of Black Muslim Youth. I hope to answer the question; what are the key factors that contribute to a positive well-being and development of Black Muslim Youth and what are the key factors that serve as a barrier to the well-being and positive development in Black Muslim Youth? This is significant because Black Muslim Youth are part of a marginalized community that is rarely discussed or addressed.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, Education

Grace Morales, Troy Cullen, Cheyenne Hwang: Impacts of Quantum Computing on International Relations

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G6 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Impacts of Quantum Computing on International Relations

Quantum computing and other quantum technologies have countless possible military applications, which collectively have the potential to significantly affect international security within ten to twenty years. However, because these technologies are largely in early phases of development, the significance and impact of each of their specific applications remains unclear. Therefore, the U.S. should employ a hedging strategy in its approach to investing in quantum and counter-quantum technology. This strategy would include preparing allied governments to utilize and counter quantum technology, providing financial incentives to a variety of institutions researching these technologies, and closely monitoring global developments in quantum research to ensure the U.S. is ready to react to any technological breakthroughs.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Grace: Major: Data Science, Minor: Economics, Troy: Major: History, Minor: Chinese, Cheyenne: Majors: Sociology, Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Jeff Kaplow, Government

Kia Morawetz: Reimagining Disability Justice in Higher Education

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C2 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Reimagining Disability Justice in Higher Education

Even though universities are required to meet a legal minimum defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), higher education still fails to meet the needs of disabled students. Disability studies scholar, Margaret Price, analyzes academic norms such as participation, presence, and collegiality to begin to understand why. All of these values are central to the mission of higher education, yet can also function to exclude disabled students from the academic and social experiences of the university, and so any accommodation or institutional policy cannot effectively account for what is truly at issue when we talk about disability injustice. Drawing upon Price’s work and other political and feminist theories, I argue that disability is primarily a political/relational mechanism and so a narrow focus on individual rights is inadequate by itself to imagine a more inclusive institution. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Double major in Philosophy and Kinesiology & Health Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Claire McKinney, Government/Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies

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Grace Nelson: Transitioning Necessity: the Unhospitable Sanctuary of Legal Gray-Areas in Transgender Healthcare

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: I1 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Transitioning Necessity: the Unhospitable Sanctuary of Legal Gray-Areas in Transgender Healthcare

Trans healthcare in the US is under legal fire. As rights are rolled back by some documents trans people are forced to seek protection in others where gray areas are left up to interpretation by various authorities. Legislation from half a century ago is being reassessed and recontextualized in response. Our transgender youth, who are under historic attack, already must face the ambiguous task of convincing providers they are trans enough for care and are deserving of care, on top of the mental and physical assessments trans adults must undergo to qualify for care. Even where rules and regulations are clear and detailed, they are often arbitrary and reflecting of cisgender expectations for transgender people. Our society has forced trans people to build their safety on sand, and in these shifting times we can hope for some stable ground to be uncovered but we must fight for better standing together.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Biology major, French minor

Faculty Mentor: Reya Farber, Sociology

Seth Nelson: Corruption and Media Representation: A Case Study in Latvian and Estonian Politics

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B6 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Corruption and Media Representation: A Case Study in Latvian and Estonian Politics

Most post-soviet political systems are characterized by widespread corruption. Estonia, however, is the unusual exception. It is therefore important to study corruption in Estonia in order to gain a deeper knowledge of corruption, particularly with a view to crafting future anticorruption policy. In this article, we compare media representations of corruption in Estonia and Latvia to understand how the media may influence popular perceptions of corruption. Our findings suggest that countries which rank worse on the corruption perception index also have more negative media portrayals of political corruption.

Student Major(s)/Minor: History, Math

Faculty Mentor: Paula Pickering, Government

Sean Nguyen: Mental Health Attitudes in Ulaanbaatar

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D19 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Mental Health Attitudes in Ulaanbaatar

This research evaluates the mental health attitudes of one hundred two respondents in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with the respondent pool being representative of the gender and ethnic distribution of the region. The majority of respondents indicate that their standard of living is satisfactory and improving. Once the data was disaggregated based on demographic factors, the findings revealed that those who are older and identified as non-religious consider their standard of living as more dissatisfied and worsening than younger or religious respondents. Moreover, while 91.2% of respondents consider visiting a healthcare professional as important, only 72.3% of respondents spoke to their healthcare professional in the past year, suggesting a hesitancy to accessing various health services. Therefore, this research offers reasons—including stigmatization, lack of financial resources, and poor health structures—for this reluctance to utilize interventions despite many respondents demonstrating mental health issues.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Double Major in Public Policy & History

Faculty Mentor: Chinua Thelwell, History and Africana Studies

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Sharona Osborne: Community Health Worker Impact Study

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: H4 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Community Health Worker Impact Study

During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a push for community health workers to take control in managing the public health response to the virus. There are many articles explaining the importance of community health workers and why their role during the pandemic should be prioritized to help their community, but there are not many articles or studies that show the impact of community health workers from the perspective of their communities. This research is concerned about how people who had COVID-19 and/or interacted with community health workers during the height of the pandemic view these health workers. The study focuses on a community with a high rate of low-income households, due to low-income households being impacted the worst by COVID-19 and health inequities. It seeks to find a pattern in how the community views the community health workers. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Kinesiology & Health Sciences

Faculty Mentor: Iyabo Obasanjo, Kinesiology & Health Sciences

Joshua Owens: Did Shelby County Affect the Outcome in 2016?

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C9 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Did Shelby County Affect the Outcome in 2016?

The controversial Supreme Court ruling Shelby County v. Holder held that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which established a formula to determine which regions of the country did not respect voting rights, was unconstitutional. Many voting rights activists criticized the decision, arguing that allowing states to make their own laws regarding voting without oversight from the federal government would allow for greater voter disenfranchisement of Black Americans. During the 2016 election, the first post-Shelby County election, turnout among African American voters was lower than during the 2012 election.

My research seeks to determine if the Shelby County ruling gave Donald Trump the victory in the 2016 election by allowing states to disenfranchise their Black populations.
 
Student Major(s)/Minor: Government

Faculty Mentor: Christine Nemacheck, Government

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Raven Pierce: Using Art Therapy Techniques to Understand How Emerging Adult Black Women’s Spirituality Help Them Navigate the Sociopolitical and Racial Climate

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B11 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Using Art Therapy Techniques to Understand How Emerging Adult Black Women’s Spirituality Help Them Navigate the Sociopolitical and Racial Climate 

My project examines how black women’s spirituality influences the way they navigate the sociopolitical and racial climate as emerging adults, along with how social-justice-oriented art therapy techniques can be used to understand their experiences. Research shows that women of color positively benefit from using spiritual, religious, and artistic coping strategies during adversity and traumatic experiences (Bryant-Davis et al., 2021). Therefore, implementing an art therapy group will give the participants a safe space to release their feelings into their art, communicate authentically, and have their shared experiences validated (Bryant-Davis et al., 2021). Similar research has voiced a call to action for therapists “to question how the current sociopolitical state of identity politics in the United States affect clients” (Karcher 2017). I will address this by using Black women from W&M as subjects as the increased intersectional trauma they face may be intensified by their marginalized status in the institution.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology major

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, School Psychology

Mel Pratt: Sex Stigma At W&M in AFAB Students 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D15 - Session II, 1:00-2:30 PM, Poster Presentation

Sex Stigma At W&M in AFAB Students

Through a brief survey, this project examines the pervasive sex stigma within assigned-female-at-birth students at William & Mary. The goal is to inform an outreach program by the Student Health Center, work to decrease the stigma, and find a route to empowering these students to pursue any and all information they seek from accurate sources. The survey highlights religious practices and backgrounds in particular.
The survey asks 16 questions, varying in multiple choice, check all that apply, and Likert agreement scale format. The final question asks students to identify where they believe the sexual education system they've experienced failed/had shortcomings. In order to qualify, the student must be enrolled for Fall 2022 at William & Mary and be assigned-female-at-birth. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Kinesiology 

Faculty Mentor: Claire McKinney, Arts & Sciences 

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Joshua Ramdass: Perceived Partisanship: How can political attitudes impact Gen Z political participation? 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: H3 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Perceived Partisanship: How can political attitudes impact Gen Z political participation? 

Does community perception of college partisanship affect policy implementation, particularly regarding restrictive voter legislation? I hypothesize that conservative individuals that perceive colleges as more liberal, would be more inclined to support voting policies that may preserve conservative election prospects, i.e., supporting restrictive voter legislation. I also hypothesize that individuals that identify as more liberal will be either indifferent or against restrictive voter legislation (note: when I say “colleges” are more liberal, I am referring to the students rather than the legislation, however questions will be crafted to account for both perceptions). 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Economics & Government 

Faculty Mentor: Mackenzie Israel-Trummel, Government 

Pritika Ravi: Religious Rights and Feminist Praxis: Contradictions and Complexities of the Sabarimala Controversy 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: F1 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Religious Rights and Feminist Praxis: Contradictions and Complexities of the Sabarimala Controversy

 
The famed Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India has long been the site of controversy about the allowance of women into the temple to worship- women have historically been banned from entry. In  2018, the landmark Indian Supreme Court decision IYLA v. State of Kerala overturned the ban and allowed women entry, spurring much agitation from the fundamentalist Hindu right and sparking violent protests across the country. This article aims to understand what this decision furthered in terms of religious rights and women’s rights in India, specifically in the context of India’s historical temple entry movement, through analysis of both IYLA and the decision that codified the ban, the 1999 Kerala High Court case, Mahendran v. The Secretary, Travancore Devaswom Board. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government

Faculty Mentor: Diya Bose, Sociology

Anna Raymond: Reimagining CS: A Comprehensive Review and Redesign of the W&M CS Curriculum

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C7 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Reimagining CS: A Comprehensive Review and Redesign of the W&M CS Curriculum

My project assesses the current state of the curriculum and environment in the William & Mary Computer Science Department, and how it contributes to the experiences of women and other minorities in computing. Through a survey of current and former CS students at W&M as well as a review of the top 12 undergraduate CS departments across the country, I identified areas of potential curricular improvement for our department that will allow us to strive for equity and accessibility. I suggest a radial, collaborative, options-based approach to the core curriculum and elective courses for the CS major that is based in the theory and the practical approach of various studies and universities, respectively. This curriculum would serve to equalize instances of previous inexperience with computing prior to college, of which women tend to have more of, and increase evaluation based on collaboration which supports women and other minorities in computing.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Computer Science Major, Marketing Minor

Faculty Mentor: Reya Farber, Sociology

Alyson Reynolds: Application of GIS in Documenting Violations of International Law in Ukraine

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G5 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Application of GIS in Documenting Violations of International Law in Ukraine

The Russia-Ukraine War has raised concerns within the international community regarding violations of international humanitarian and criminal law. Documenting these abuses has become a priority of the Ukrainian government and the international legal regime, primarily to preserve evidence for war crimes trials. Much of this documentation is not yet readily accessible to the public. However, journalists have documented and confirmed abuses based on their own investigation, using their publications to disseminate their findings. This project establishes a methodology for aggregating media coverage of violations of international law to establish a publicly accessible spatial database of ongoing abuses using geographic information systems (GIS).

Student Major(s)/Minor: International Relations, Latin American Studies

Faculty Mentor: Kelebogile Zvobgo, Government

Seneca RiceWoolf: Chasing Prestige: How Peer Groups Reproduce Class 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B22 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Chasing Prestige: How Peer Groups Reproduce Class 

Inequalities in educational achievement are reproduced by different class-based parenting styles. However, there is more to discover about how elite educational institutions shape students’ perceptions of success and compound these inequalities. What motivates some students to seek internships, strive for higher GPAs, and ultimately build robust resumes? I conducted six in-depth interviews with William and Mary students - half attended an elite public high school while the remaining participants attended a nearby public high school. I determined that students who attended academically rigorous institutions faced social pressure to compete with their peers, making participants strive for better grades, internships, jobs, and acceptance into elite colleges for the appearance of success. Personal expectations of each individual’s career and academic potential are established through their peer group's social norms. Thus, peer groups influence an individual’s success and perception of success, encouraging some to chase prestige under the illusion of being “on track”. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Sociology, Environmental Science and Policy

Faculty Mentor: Meaghan Stiman, Sociology

Olivia Ritchey: Attachment Style, Imagined Conflict, and Their Effects on Self-Perceived Stress

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B2 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Attachment Style, Imagined Conflict, and Their Effects on Self-Perceived Stress

This study looked into the gap in attachment psychology literature by considering the stress responses of different attachment styles upon reading written conflict scenarios. These imagined scenarios consisted of hypothetical characters and did not involve participants conceiving themselves in a situation. Three types of conflict were presented: parent-child, romantic, and friendship. Modified versions of the Perceived Stress Scale and the Experiences in Close Relationships - Short Form were used to gauge participants’ stress levels at the start of the experiment and after completing the treatment and to identify their attachment type (anxious, avoidant, or secure). It was expected that those who scored with high attachment anxiety would report greater self-perceived stress levels after reading the written scenarios and that those with secure and avoidant attachments would not report a significant change in their stress levels after completing the reading section. These results would have indicated that an anxious attachment adaptation may lead to higher overall stress levels due to outsider conflicts and a hindered ability to separate oneself from outside sources of anxiety and tension.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychological Sciences, B.S. Public Health minor

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

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Vishakha Shah: The Disproportionate Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Female FHCWs in the United States of America

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B15 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Disproportionate Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Female FHCWs in the United States of America

Historically, the medical field hosted a plethora of gender-based inequities such as stereotypes, compensation inequities, biased opportunities, and unadaptable environments. These injustices were exacerbated during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to an increase in burden on women frontline healthcare workers (FHCWs), a widening gender-based gap in compensation, underrepresentation of women FHCWs in leadership, a lack of adequate resources, and a disproportionate increase in incidence of mental health issues. Fortunately, these injustices were recognized by researchers, and a plethora of recommendations have been made to alleviate them: advocacy regarding gender-based inequities, opportunities for women to express their needs, appropriate appreciation of women FHCWs, and establishment of equity targets. It is essential to recognize that women FHCWs make up 76% of the nation’s healthcare workforce and are integral in the nation’s response to healthcare tragedies. Ensuring gender equity aids the retention of women FHCWs and thus, encourages growth in the healthcare sector.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Kinesiology and Health Sciences with a Public Health Concentration, Biochemistry

Faculty Mentor: Beverly Sher, Chemistry

Zannatul Shahla: The Personality of Otherness: The Effect of Immigrant Status on Personality and Psychological Ownership

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B21 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Personality of Otherness: The Effect of Immigrant Status on Personality and Psychological Ownership

Psychological ownership has been studied in immigrant and native populations in regards to perceived ownership over a nation. It has also been studied in a school setting, with students’ perceived sense of belonging using the Psychological Sense of School Membership Scale (PSSM). The 5-Factor Model of Personality has been used to determine the common traits prevalent in immigrant populations. However, the concept of psychological ownership in the school setting and personality traits common to immigrants have not been studied jointly. This study attempts to prove that immigrant status leads to higher scores on the Conscientiousness and Agreeableness Scales of the 5-Factor Theory of Personality and lower scores on the Psychological Sense of School Membership Scale. This is tested using a questionnaire, administered to college age students, containing a demographic section, a section with Conscientiousness and Agreeableness scales, and the PSSM. Collected data is then used to administer an MANOVA, from which no significant differences between non-immigrant and immigrant students was found in regards to personality and/or psychological ownership. This can be accounted for lack of diversity in sample; and further study can be beneficial to students, educators, and psychologists. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Chemistry; Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

Josh Shankman: Transitioning from Life in the Israeli Army to Life Outside

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C1 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Transitioning from Life in the Israeli Army to Life Outside

Over a seven week time span over the summer, I interviewed individuals who have served or are currently serving in the Israeli army about the transition from army life to civilian life. I explored and learned about the struggles, obstacles and solutions they have found to or expect to accompany this transition. In America, teens my age are allowed to do as they please, pursue a higher education or enter the work force or even travel abroad. In Israel, teens my age are mandated into service as soon as they graduate high school and I wanted to shed a light on the experience and hardships that accompany that difference.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Economics major

Faculty Mentor: Martin Schmidt, Economics

Vincent SheaBerry: A qualitative study of parental emotion socialization in families experiencing homelessness: The role of cultural context

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B10 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

A qualitative study of parental emotion socialization in families experiencing homelessness: The role of cultural context

Currently, there is limited research evaluating the potential effects of homlessness and adverse life circumstances on the socialization of emotion in children. As children develop, their caregivers play a critical role in teaching and modeling emotional regulation processes, including when and in what manner and with whom it is appropriate to express their emotions; these processes are aligned with the normative behaviors of their culture.  This project investigates the influence of homelessness on the implicit and explicit processes through which children are taught to regulate and express their emotions, and furthermore, analyzes the perspectives of parents experiencing homeless on the teaching of emotions to preschool-aged children.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychological Sciences & Sociology

Faculty Mentor: Madelyn Labella, Psychological Sciences

Leecy Silk: The Effect of Tempo and Mode on Undergraduates' Choice of Music while Studying

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B3 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Effect of Tempo and Mode on Undergraduates' Choice of Music while Studying

Music has been shown to affect mood and emotion and has potential to be applied to improve everyday stressors (Yehuda, 2011). Certain pieces have been found to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and college students have been shown to reap the benefits during examinations (Knight & Rickard, 2001; Stanton, 1975). This study aimed to isolate two qualities of music (mode and tempo) in order to assess the feelings they bring about (happy, sad, relaxing, stressing, boring, engaging). The feelings these two qualities elicit were scaled on a standard 7-point Likert scale and used to see which combination of the two (if any) elicits the feelings ideal for a study setting. Furthermore, the possibility of a relationship between music preference and feelings and emotions desired in a study setting was examined for possible correlations. Each participant listened to the six musical samples and scaled them on each of the six emotion words, and then each was asked which musical sample they would listen to while studying. Overall, more undergraduates tended to select music samples composed in major, but varied in preferred tempo. Repeated-measures ANOVAs and post hoc tests revealed that, overall, major was perceived as more happy than minor (p < .01), and minor music yields more stress when tempo increases (p < .01).

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience and Music

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

Chitra Singh: Will Modicare help to Improve Dalit Health in India

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A20 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Will Modicare help to Improve Dalit Health in India

We investigate India’s recently launched public health insurance scheme Modicare that is intended to prevent more primarily lower caste individuals from falling below the poverty line. We have compiled a literature review of the caste system, its researched effects on Dalit health, and a few early studies on Modicare. We then used state data to graph the relationships between health indicators and Dalit populations in each state, finding that that as the percentage of Dalits increased both IMR and MMR shared a positive association. We surmised that life expectancy’s flat association may be explained by states with large Dalit populations having actively targeted disenfranchisement against Dalits, but further research is needed to confirm this. Due to the widespread lack of state-level efforts to socially engage Dalits and raise awareness of Modicare in most Indian states, as well as the limited existing Dalit-specific data available, we were not able to conclude that Modicare is effectively treating Dalit health in India despite a few studies showing promising results. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Biology

Faculty Mentor: Iyabo Obasanjo, Kinesiology

Nelson Soga: Food Addiction Globally and Cross-Culturally

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A10 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Food Addiction Globally and Cross-Culturally

Food addiction is a term that suggests that people have addictive-like responses to food in the same manner as responses to cases of classic substance abuse. The US is number one in the world in the prevalence of obesity and food addiction is a factor that may lead to obesity. In order to further understand food addiction, it’s important to look at prevalence rates in other countries and try to understand what cross-cultural factors may contribute to it. In this project, we looked to test psychometric properties and measurement invariance of food addiction amongst a population of young adults from 7 countries in order to validate a measure. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Neuroscience, Minor in Business Org Leadership

Faculty Mentor: Adrian Bravo, Psychology

Jaden Spady: The Impacts of Financial Education on Youth 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B14 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

The Impacts of Financial Education on Youth 

This study analyzes the impacts of financial education on youth. In addition, the project examines the components of different financial education curriculums and determines the key characteristics of a successful program promoting financial literacy. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and use various financial skills. Educating youth effectively and helping them become financially literate provides a solid foundation for a stable lifestyle. Unfortunately, many young people miss out on this opportunity to learn beneficial financial skills that may help them transition into adulthood. The findings of this research produce recommendations for the content, delivery methods, and format of an effective financial education program. The lasting impact of this research is to optimize the efficiency of educating our youth about finances and set more young people up for successful futures.  

Student Major(s)/Minor: Finance

Faculty Mentor: Janise Parker, Education 

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Janeé Thomas: College Students Perceptions of African American English 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C6 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

College Students Perceptions of African American English 

My research aims to Identify the Attitudes and thoughts of African American English. I will conduct single blind interviews with 50 William and Mary Students to identify their perceptions of African American English. While researching and analyzing peer reviewed sources about language attitudes to establish the negative impact of these attitudes. Researching these attitudes' effects on society and people, is important to addressing language biases and prejudice. African Americans have a history of societal prejudice. This research works to identify if these prejudices exist surrounding their language as well. If so, then a start to addressing these attitudes is important.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Accounting and Africana Studies 

Faculty Mentor: Iyabo Osiapem , Linguistics and Africana Studies 

Helen Treadway: Young Adults Changing Political Beliefs Through Interaction with Roommates, Hallmates, and Friends

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C11 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Young Adults Changing Political Beliefs Through Interaction with Roommates, Hallmates, and Friends

This study investigates the liberal atmosphere universities create. Existing research investigated colleges' effects on changing political ideologies through environment and socialization. The study takes it further examining friendship and living dynamics as ideological influences during all four years of college. Utilizing a survey, this study examines the political beliefs of those students live with. It compares students’ political attitudes prior to attending university to their current ideologies. The survey asks questions pertaining to the participants' ideology, their family’s, their friends back home, and the friends they live with at school. The study aims to find if there is a correlation between living environment and social interactions with evolving political preferences, and whether this socialization dynamic leans towards the left side of the ideological spectrum. It’s hypothesized living environments will lead to change within ideology and students will lean towards moderation. The study’s results will help scholars address the growing media buzz about higher education being the cause of the new wave of liberalism.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology and Government majors 

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

Kaitlyn Turner: Cut Off: Rents and Housing Prices after Bridge Closures in Seattle and Pittsburgh

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D2 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Cut Off: Rents and Housing Prices after Bridge Closures in Seattle and Pittsburgh

Where workers choose to live is heavily influenced by where they work. Land near city centers is valuable in part due to the proximity to employment. However, if an area within close proximity to the city center experiences a shock to transportation infrastructure, it follows that this land should become less valuable. The Covid-19 pandemic also changed housing markets as many workers no longer needed to commute daily, allowing them greater choice of where to live. Such pandemic-induced changes, like the decline of the importance of proximity to the city center or lack of access to city amenities, lead to most major cities experiencing a flattening of the bid-rent curve. In this study, I employ a difference-in-difference approach to evaluate the impacts of a bridge closure on nearby zip-code’s rents and home prices in Seattle and Pittsburgh, respectively. Zip-codes affected by the West Seattle Bridge closure experienced steeper rent declines than the rest of the already decreasing city-proper.  In Pittsburgh, home prices increased in areas impacted by the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. This may be due to an insufficient treatment period for housing data, pre-existing housing market trends, or pandemic induced changes.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Economics and Data Science

Faculty Mentor: Tate Twinam, Economics

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Rebecca Wagner: Conservative Identities in the Tidewater Region and their Economic Narratives

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A15 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Conservative Identities in the Tidewater Region and their Economic Narratives

This project explores the relationship between conservative political ideology and perspectives on economic considerations such as inequality, welfare, and class. I ask what common narratives conservative Virginian’s use to make sense of these economic concerns; what perspectives do they have that influence their identity as conservative, and what is the interrelation between political ideology and support for economic policy? Qualitative data on these topics is collected through in depth interviewing with citizens of James City County and the surrounding region. Preliminary analysis indicates that narratives of regional conflict between urban and non-urban localities, perspectives on economic opportunity and insecurity, and a sense of disrespect may all play a role in forming and intensifying conservative identities. This work is intended to foster understanding across political divides and contributes to a growing wealth of literature that aims to decode not just what voters think, but why they think it.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Sociology, Data Science

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

Ziwei Wang: Self-Control and Problematic Use of Social Networking Sites: Examining Distress Tolerance as a Mediator in a Cross-country Samples of College Students

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: D1 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Self-Control and Problematic Use of Social Networking Sites: Examining Distress Tolerance as a Mediator in a Cross-country Samples of College Students

The study aims to explore the mediating role of distress tolerance in the relationship between features of self-control and problematic use of social networking sites (SNS). The use of SNSs is a very common behavior worldwide and may become maladaptive for some people. There is growing interest in determining which variables are associated with problematic use of SNS. Studies have shown that some individuals may develop maladaptive use of SNSs and experience symptoms commonly associated with drug addiction. Moreover, poor self-control, especially under intense emotional states, could lead to a higher probability of problematic SNSs use. The results of this study will provide a better understanding of how self-control and problematic use of SNSs are linked and the role of distress tolerance within this relationship.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology

Faculty Mentor: Adrian Bravo, Psychology

Aidan White: Eviction in Williamsburg and the Anti-Eviction Movement in Charlottesville

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: G2 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Eviction in Williamsburg and the Anti-Eviction Movement in Charlottesville

Eviction rates across the country have skyrocketed in the last two decades, and they have hit Virginia renters especially hard: our Commonwealth is home to 6 of the nation’s top 15 evicting large cities and 3 of the nation’s top 5 evicting mid-size cities. This eviction crisis is driven in part by the so-called justice gap, which describes the lack of adequate and affordable legal representation available to tenants facing eviction. In Virginia’s general district courts, where eviction cases are handled, only about 1% of cases have lawyers representing both sides. My research investigated whether this justice gap is present in the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court by directly observing the court’s weekly eviction hearings. Additionally, I conducted interviews with leaders of Charlottesville’s anti-eviction movement to understand whether similar organizing could be successful in Williamsburg.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Major: Sociology, minor: History

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

Emma Williams: The Proximity of Chinese-Funded Infrastructure Projects to Indigenous Populations in Cambodia

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: F2 - Session I, 11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

The Proximity of Chinese-Funded Infrastructure Projects to Indigenous Populations in Cambodia

Using ArcGIS Pro software, the location of Chinese-funded road projects in Cambodia was compared to the distribution of areas historically occupied by indigenous groups. As these roads were found to significantly increase deforestation in the surrounding environment, examining their proximity to indigenous populations indicates the threat level they could present in disrupting the livelihoods of indigenous minority groups who are often dependent environmental forest products as an important source of income. The results of this analysis reveal that of the 31 road sections funded by China over the past two decades, 12 of them directly cross through indigenous lands. The northeast of the country has the most instances of this. As previous research has established that northeast Cambodia has also experienced the most road-caused deforestation, these results lead us to believe that the indigenous groups populating northeastern Cambodia may have experienced significant losses due to the presence of Chinese-funded road projects, a hypothesis which will be explored in further research over the course of the next year.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Economics and Film & Media Studies

Faculty Mentor: Ariel BenYishay, Economics

Chuck Williamson, Maia Earle, Ian Matthews, Lumin Edmonds: How the Forever Wars of Iraq and Afghanistan have impacted the Republic of Georgia's U.S. Trained and Educated Veterans

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: J2 - Session I,11:00 am-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

How the Forever Wars of Iraq and Afghanistan have impacted the Republic of Georgia's U.S. Trained and Educated Veterans

The research currently deals with Trans-Atlantic cooperation with the United States Military and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) partners. Specifically, relations with the Republic of Georgia and its status as an aspiring NATO member. The research is currently exploring the longstanding Georgian involvement with U.S. Military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2008 to today. This research deals with important topics such as how Georgian veterans view their American counterparts, both during the conflicts in Afghanistan and after the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2021. The research has also touched on civil relations within the Republic of Georgia and how Georgian society, specifically current and former military members, are dealing with the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
The impact and implications of this research are currently unknown, but it is expected to reveal a great deal about how U.S. interests are viewed abroad, specifically in the wake of two decades of the "forever wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Chuck: Government Major History minor, Maia: International Relations, Ian Matthews: International Relations, Lumin Edmonds: International Relations, Environment & Sustainability Policy

Faculty Mentor: Dan Maliniak, Government

Qimo Wu: Nationalism in Serbia and Republica Srpska

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: H6 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Nationalism in Serbia and Republica Srpska

The central theme of my research is to discover the different causes of nationalism in Serbia and Republika Srpska as well as how and why nationalism has been growing stronger or diminishing in these two entities during the last ten years. My focus will be on two entities. One is Serbia, a country located in the Balkans which in the 1990s was sanctioned by the West for interfering in wars in neighboring Balkan countries and committing war crimes. The second is the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska, an autonomous entity in independent Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with its own government. In recent years, the nationalistic sentiment only grew stronger in Republika Srpska, while nationalism is somewhat diminishing in Serbia. I think it is important to our understanding of nationalism to know how different socio-economic policies and conditions in these two Serbs' led entities caused nationalism to turn in different ways.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government, Finance

Faculty Mentor: Paula Pickering, Government

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Ye Xiao, Kaleea Korunka: Eviction Data in Williamsburg and James City County 2019-2020

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: E1 - Session I, 11:00-12:30 pm, Digital Presentation

Eviction Data in Williamsburg and James City County 2019-2020

Virginia is the top evicting state in the United States according to the Princeton Eviction Lab. Yet Williamsburg and James City County have little to no data available investigating evictions. This project aims at providing a comprehensive and accurate dataset of the years 2019 and 2020 in Williamsburg and James City County by collecting information from the area’s general district court’s docket and clerks' office to add to previous research done in the year 2021. Our summer work included creating a more efficient data scraping tool that was implemented to increase accuracy and speed in collecting data from the court docket and creating data sets for the years 2019 and 2020. We furthered our investigation by analyzing our data by types of landlords (corporate vs. individuals), results of eviction cases and geographical information to provide eviction information in our community.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Ye: undecided, Kaleea: undecided

Faculty Mentor: Caroline Hanley, Sociology

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Ruoqing Yao: Satiability and Interpretability

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: A11 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Satiability and Interpretability

Satiation refers to the increase in acceptability after exposure, especially for ungrammatical sentences such as island-violating sentences. Explained by the Adaptation Account, satiation happens as comprehenders update their beliefs about possible representations of constructions and thus get better at resolving long-distance dependency. Previous studies show that different types of island-violating sentences satiate at different rates, but the reason remains unclear. In this study, we hypothesize that more interpretable sentences satiate faster. In an acceptability rating experiment, we use context to manipulate interpretability, which facilitates filler-gap association (that is, resolving long-distance dependency) and found supportive evidence of comprehension correlating acceptability ratings.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Linguistics, Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Anya Hogoboom, Linguistics

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Quanhan Zhou: Predicting the Presence of Depressive Symptomatology from Personality Traits

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B4 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Predicting the Presence of Depressive Symptomatology from Personality Traits

The present study involves finding a relationship between certain personality traits and major depression. Previous studies have found that personality traits modulate the associations between temperament and depression as well as function as major predictors of psychological distress. Therefore, it is postulated that three personality variables (agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism) play a predictive role in anticipating the presence of depressive symptomatology. Participants (N = 37) were undergraduate students enrolled in a research methods class. All participants completed an online questionnaire that used the Big Five Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory to assess their personality characteristics and levels of depression, respectively. The study found that neuroticism significantly predicted the presence of depression and there were no significant differences caused by other personality traits. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: Psychology & Computer Science

Faculty Mentor: Harvey Langholtz, Psychology

Xiaoyu Zhou: A Synthetic Control Analysis on how China's Two-child Policy Impacts National Birth Rate 

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: B7 - Session I, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Poster Presentation

A Synthetic Control Analysis on how China's Two-child Policy Impacts National Birth Rate 

To combat the demographic crisis of an aging population and decreasing birth rate, the Chinese government ended its 35-year-long one-child policy in 2015 and implemented a nationwide two-child policy. I apply the synthetic control model to assess the impact of the universal policy on crude birth rate. My analysis is conducted using national-level data on the mainland Chinese population from 1990 to 2019 as well as a comprehensive collection of countries as the control group. A synthetic version of China is constructed using other control regions to best fit its birth rate and other birth-influencing metrics before the implementation of the two-child policy. The weights corresponding to the control units will be calculated by the model such that the distance between the region of interest and the synthetic region will be minimized using pre-treatment data. Then the synthetic China presents the counterfactual changes China would have experienced without the policy implementation and is compared with real data to analyze the treatment effect. Finally, inference is completed using the permutation method standard for synthetic control approaches. Results show that China’s universal two-child policy causes transitory increase in birth rate immediately after implementation but carries no statistical significance overall. 

Student Major(s)/Minor: CAMS, Finance

Faculty Mentor: Rob Hicks, Economics

Jacqueline Zimmerman: Language & Linkages: English Frequency on Racial Linked Fate

Presentation Spot, Time, & Format: C3 - Session II, 1-2:30 pm, Poster Presentation

Language & Linkages: English Frequency on Racial Linked Fate

Race has been a socially and politically pertinent construct in America since the country’s inception. Racial linked fate measures race’s saliency to the individual. The concept describes the degree to which an individual feels that what happens to their racial group affects them personally. Factors including life experiences, current events, or socioeconomic status impact linked fate. However, one under-studied influence is language. Using the Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey from 2020, this study seeks to uncover the impact of spoken English frequency on racial linked fate. The populations as they are referred to in the data include Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, and White respondents. The reported frequency of speaking English reveals varying attitudes towards linked fate. The results shed light on how speaking English impacts a community’s view of themselves in the broader socio-political landscape. Positive changes can be fostered for communities as languages other than English are used to incorporate more voices in political discourse; these findings have implications for multi racial coalitions to lobby for substantive change.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Government

Faculty Mentor: Amy Oakes, Government