Scholarship Spotlight
.png)
At the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, faculty are the cornerstone of our academic community, and their research is vital to our intellectual vibrancy. However, the broader impact of our work often remains within our own circles. To foster a community of colleagues, enhance cross-college (and University) communication, and highlight the remarkable work being done, we are pleased to introduce the CASSH Scholarship Spotlight series.
What is the CASSH Scholarship Spotlight?
Held on the third Wednesday of each month during lunchtime, the CASSH Scholarship Spotlight features two concise presentations: one from a faculty member and another from a graduate student from a different department. These presentations may include works-in-progress, conference papers, or overviews of larger projects tailored for a general multidisciplinary academic audience.
Event Format
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes.
Presenters:
- A 20-minute presentation by a faculty member.
- A 20-minute presentation by a graduate student.
Q&A: Engaging discussions follow each presentation.
Location: All events take place in the John C. Pace Library's multi-purpose room on the second floor.
Join Us: This is an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues across disciplines, share your work, and engage in enriching conversations. We encourage all faculty and graduate students to consider presenting and attending these events to celebrate the innovative research happening within our community. Join your colleagues. Join the conversation.
Stay Connected: Please visit our page regularly for more information and to stay updated on upcoming sessions.
2024-2025 Calendar
September 18, 2024 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
October 23, 2024 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
November 20, 2024 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
January 15, 2025 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
February 19, 2025 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
March 26, 2025 (12-1 pm) Library Multipurpose Room
November 2024 Spotlight
Join us for an exciting research presentation that will take us from Roswell’s UFO mysteries to the intricacies of gerrymandering in today’s political landscape! Our first speaker, Nicholas Mohlmann, Associate Professor, Department of English, will delve into the intriguing intersections between conspiracy theories and autobiography, examining Lieutenant Colonel Philip Corso’s memoir, "The Day After Roswell." Next, we will shift to a critical discussion on the effects of gerrymandering in modern politics with Veronica Sigcho Espinoza, Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government. Whether you're curious about the narratives that shape our understanding of history or concerned about the implications of electoral boundaries, this event promises insightful perspectives on both.
Please join us for CASSH's third Scholarship Spotlight on November 20, 2024, from 12 to 1 p.m. in the Pace Library Multipurpose Room, second floor, room 215.
Nicholas Mohlmann
Nicholas Mohlmann, Associate Professor, Department of English
“Writing Roswell: Conspiracy and Autobiography”
This talk uses Lieutenant Colonel Philip Corso's 1997 memoir "The Day After Roswell" to think about the sympathies between the rhetorical strategies of conspiracy theory and dominant autobiography. Examining how Corso produces a narrative of his supposed involvement with the dissemination of alien technology recovered from the 1947 crash outside of Roswell, New Mexico, the talk argues that while the Roswell conspiracy is built on autobiographical narratives, autobiography itself relies on a conspiratorial approach to reading.
Veronica Sigcho Espinoza
Veronica Sigcho Espinoza, Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government
“The Art of Redistricting: Gerrymandering’s Effect on Representation and Governance”
Gerrymandering distorts the democratic process, altering electoral outcomes, and undermining legislative effectiveness. By disrupting the relationship between elected officials and their constituents, disproportionate redistricting challenges core principles of political representation. This research assesses how these distortions erode both the quality of representation and the effectiveness of democratic governance.
October 2024 Spotlight
From grandparents raising grandchildren to libraries cracking jokes on TikTok, our world is changing in unexpected ways. Join us for a fascinating exploration of non-traditional families and unconventional library outreach strategies. Our speakers will delve into the challenges faced by custodial grandparents in Santa Rosa County and examine how academic libraries are using humor to connect with students in the digital age. Please join us for CASSH's second Scholarship Spotlight on October 23, 2024, from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Pace Library Multipurpose Room on the second floor.
Dr. Natalie Goulette
Department of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies
"Not living long enough to raise them,” Exploring the Challenges of Custodial Grandparent-Headed Households in Santa Rosa County
The number of non-traditional households in the US is rising. However, little is known about how these living arrangements impact the caregivers and the children they are raising. While much of the prior literature has focused on the physical and emotional toll raising one’s grandchildren can take on a custodial grandparent, there is still much to explore. This talk will explore various characteristics of custodial grandparent-headed households in the Santa Rosa County School District. A total of 17 interviews were completed and covered multiple topics, including reasons for placement, type of custody agreement, and the self-reported challenges respondents experience while raising their grandchildren.
Kellie Sparks
Department of Communication
LOL-worthy Libraries: The Impact of Humor on Academic Library Brand Perception
This in-progress study focuses on the impact of humorous social media messaging on academic library brand perception. Research on humor and social media advertising is limited within the library and information science field, especially in academic libraries. The significant impact of social media, primarily TikTok and Instagram, has shifted social media strategies within libraries to include more playful, comical content to boost engagement. This study examines how humorous content resonates with library patrons and influences their perceptions of the library, fostering positive relationships with their target social media audience.
September 2024 Spotlight
CASSH's inaugural Scholarship Spotlight event, September 18, 2024, will take a bite out of cannibalism, featuring Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook and graduate student Aliana Schwartz.
Dr. Amy Mitchell-Cook
Department of History & Philosophy
Who’s Hungry?: Survival Cannibalism at Sea
From the 17th to the 19th century, several published narratives related that survivors of shipwrecks turned to cannibalism. However, rather than describe them as random acts of murder or savagery, these accounts went to great lengths to justify cannibalism. Instead of hiding their actions, survivors described the process of how cannibalism occurred and why certain individuals lived while others became necessary sustenance. This talk explores how this process unfolded and how narratives justified the act to those on land.
Aliana M. Schwartz, Graduate Student
Department of Anthropology
Biting into the Past: How Teeth Illuminate Maya Social Structures
Located along the Western border of Honduras, the ancient Maya city of Copan nurtured a highly complex, socially dynamic society that reached its height during the Late Classic Period (AD 600-AD 820). My research considers how Maya social structures impacted the health of Copan residents. By examining markers of developmental stress on their teeth, I seek to understand how individuals’ positions within society enable or prevent them from building resilience in response to disease, malnutrition, and other challenges.
Interested in Presenting?
Email Dr. Jamin Wells at jwells2@uwf.edu a brief abstract of your proposed talk and a current CV. Graduate students should also include the name of a faculty reference.
