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Vol. 86 Issue 17
february 19, 2020
SCIENCE
MU assistant professor of psychological sciences recognized in list of 100 most inspiring Black scientists in America Booker joins Black scientists from all over the country in CrossTalk’s list to spread work and talent of minorities in science. JEB GOLDMAN
University News Reporter For Jordan Booker, MU assistant professor of psychological sciences, Feb. 3, was a day unlike any other. It would end up being the day the popular science journal CrossTalk published its list of “100 Inspiring Black Scientists in America,” and he was on it. “This was a blog post from one of the larger journal groups out there,” he said. “It wasn’t something I was totally aware of until some other colleagues had passed it on to my desk.” Though Booker may have played the humble card when asked about his mention on this list, his colleagues will be the first to admit that his naming on the list was well deserved. They said it is always nice to get recognition, which can often be far and few between projects. “I think that Dr. Booker is one of a number of faculty that is really exceptional, and we’re very fortunate to have him,” Jamie Arndt, chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences, said. “I
think one of the things we look for and take pride in is other people recognizing the excellence of our faculty, and Dr. Booker has a lot to offer.” Booker has been at MU for two years now and has dedicated himself and his work to answering questions about concepts like emotional competence and identity development. His recent work revolves around conducting multi-phase studies of mother-adolescent reminiscing and emerging adult reminiscing. For example, how the relationship between a mother and her child may seem one way on the outside, but is really another way when explored deeper. “We’re working with early teens and moms, just getting some different insights about how young folks make sense of their lives,” Booker said. “Things like how they talk about their lives with parents, how [moms are] doing that in some really neat ways compared to when they were kids, and how moms continue to be a really important source of feedback and insight for their young folks.” The root for Booker’s research comes from a seed planted much deeper than the pure study of psychology itself. For Booker, it is all about identity and how people choose to frame such a vital part of themselves. “I am broadly interested in what might be the strengths in people’s lives,” he said. “The
Jordan Booker is an associate professor of psychological sciences at MU. | PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI.
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POLITICS
STUDY ABROAD
What makes our elections democratic: MU expert explains
International Humans of Mizzou Vol. 2: domestic, international students share their study abroad experiences
Interim Vice Provost Mary Stegmaier weighs in on election observation. JOY MAZUR
Student Politics Staff Writer As the U.S. prepares itself for the 2020 election, international organizations are focusing on the country’s election process. The 57 member states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe work to improve the lives of both communities and individuals by resolving global issues affecting common security. As part of its programs, it assesses elections worldwide through the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and recommends how to improve them in a more democratic manner. Mary Stegmaier, interim vice provost for international programs and associate professor in the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at
MU, works as an election observer for the organization. Her credentials include election observation in North Macedonia (formerly Macedonia) and Kyrgyzstan. The OSCE observes elections globally. To do this, it implements long-term and short-term observers that focus on election day, voter registration, candidate registration, dismissed paperwork, media access and public opinion after the election. “There are international agreements and the OSCE countries have agreed to try to adhere to these basic principles of free and fair elections,” Stegmaier said. Member countries of the organization typically invite the OSCE to observe their own elections. This includes the U.S., which the OSCE observed in 2016 and 2018. “What the [OSCE does] in advance of an election, they do a needs assessment,” she said. “Then they will decide, do they recommend a full
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Lupo and Bhatty share their stories about studying in different countries. ADELE DU
University News Senior Staff Writer Anthony Lupo Lupo is a senior studying economics in the Trulaske College of Business. He studied abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science for an academic year during his junior year. “I visited London in the summer of 2017 with a friend for a week and half. There were just some characters of the city that I really enjoyed. The fall semester of my sophomore year I underwent a cochlear implantation surgery, and it just changed my life for better. And that change made me want to do something big and different. It was a little bit daunting at first, trying to figure out all these things. It’s like shoot, I don’t have sheets on the first night. Something happened while I was there was the Brexit situation. The original date was set while we were there so that was super interesting. People did and still have strong opinions about it. It was
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