through faculty research

From bird watching in the backyard to hair braiding around the world, these faculty are expanding the understanding of hope across individuals, families, communities and cultures through a range of research projects. Here’s a summary of projects to date, in the words of the faculty conducting the research, and the connection to our communities, students and concept of hope.

EExploring hope through the lens of birdwatching

“While there are many potential sources of hope, I believe exploring it through the lens of birds and birdwatching is rich with opportunity. Just as Dickinson found our avian neighbors to be potent sources of hope, so too do countless modern-day recreationists. I believe that telling their stories is an act that will not only help us better understand human-avian relationships but will ultimately prove to have utility spanning across neighborhoods, norms and cultures.”

— Jonathan Hicks, Ph.D. - Recreation and Parks Leadership Studies

Researching hope of transgender and gender non-conforming youth

“We are interviewing families of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth from various states with different political climates regarding transgender rights, about their feelings of hope for their futures, health, safety and personal freedoms, and what measures they are taking to maintain hope in the face of the current political climate nationally and locally.”

Building hope and vocational skills in Nigerian youth

“This project is an evaluation of a vocational and entrepreneurship training pilot program for youth in Nigeria. The eight-week program seeks to build hope among youth by developing vocational skillsets and practical business education that empowers youth who are currently without hope, who feel hopeless, helpless, forgotten, and believe nothing good can result out of their lives. This project will test an intervention of equipping youth with vocational skillsets and practical business education to empower them to know that they are capable of more and there is hope for their future, and that the possibilities are endless.”

— Omotola Akinsola, Ph.D. - Social Work

CCreating hope and meaningful engagement for individuals with dementia

“Dementia Friendly EngAGEment: Honoring Abilities in All is a multi-faceted dementia friendly, family and community-focused program designed with innovative solutions to promote abilities, social engagement, hope and reduce social isolation and stigma of persons with dementia and care partners. This interdisciplinary program is conducted by Dementia-Friendly trained university students and faculty across disciplines through interprofessional collaboration and combines academic training and community engagement into one novel program, Garden EngAGEment.”

IInspiring hope in uncertain times

“This research aims to develop a community partnership for learners to engage in a simulated mass casualty incident experience. This opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary team will be inspiring hope during unknown and uncertain times. Instilling hope through exposure can help nursing students develop the resilience and optimism they need to navigate disaster simulations and prepare for real-world emergencies. By cultivating a sense of hope, nursing students can develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to become effective and compassionate healthcare providers, even in the face of adversity.”