Showcasing Interdisciplinary Resilience Research

The innovative, collaborative research of the faculty and students of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences was featured at a Resilience Research Showcase in the Grand Ballroom of the Adele H. Stamp Student Union on May 4.

More than 300 guests from across campus—and throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C., and beyond—gathered to experience BSOS research in action through the interactive, multimedia event.

“This landmark event gave our researchers not only a spotlight to showcase their extraordinary work, but a rare opportunity to make in-person connections with one another and with collaborators in government, nonprofit, and industry sectors,” said Dean Susan Rivera. “BSOS is proud to be investigating and tackling the grand challenges of our times.”

The event brought to life the BSOS Resilience Research Hub, featuring 40 poster presentations and videos across several resilience themes, including environment, economic, health and safety, democratic, and more.

“In our current times, understanding how and why humans adapt, evolve and thrive in challenging environments and circumstances certainly is an appealing and important research area.

Indeed, there is no doubt resilience is a crucial domain of research for our campus, national and global endeavors,” Rivera said as she welcomed attendees.

She later invited UMD Board of Trustees member Singleton McAllister, AFAM/GVPT ’75, to offer remarks. McAllister reflected on the timeliness and the urgency of themes of the day, including gun violence, climate change, and threats to democracy.

The showcase offered a unique and engaging format, providing attendees the opportunity to directly interact with researchers and learn more about their work.

Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education

Jean McGloin said she was excited to see so many collaborators on campus for the event, including guests from the Maryland Governor’s Office; the National Institutes of Health; the National Science Foundation; NASA; the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency; the Democracy Fund; and the Climate Justice Resilience Fund, among many others.

“This event showcased the amazing research talent of faculty in our college and was an opportunity to share it with the larger community. I’m so proud of my colleagues’ work, and hope this will lead to more collaboration and research success,” McGloin said.

The posters and videos were displayed according to theme in dedicated sections, with projects from multiple disciplines exhibited in each research theme area.

The research covered a broad array of topics, including the Impacts of Global Environmental Change on Malaria Persistence; Cognitive Resilience in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Youth; Democratic Resilience to Terrorism in Africa; Supporting Resilience in Underserved Families with ADHD; Crop Planting and Harvest Monitoring Over Ukraine; Pro Stadiums and Safe Voting During COVID; and many more. •