Over 170 student research projects were showcased in the second annual Global Futures: A Global Studies Symposium held on April 25 in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom. Projects ranged from “Community Gardening and Black Liberation” to “Art Activism Through Disability Justice”, from “The Effect of Climate Change and Related, Chronic Weather Events on Mental Health Outcomes in the United States” and many more were on display this year.
While the majority of the participants were fourth year students presenting their capstone theses, this year's symposium also saw participation from other Global Studies classes (and non-Global Studies majors). The symposium that was inaugurated last year to bring together the Global Studies community has quickly become an annual event.
Ambassador Steve Mull, Vice Provost for Global Affairs also spoke at the event and emphasized the importance of global experiences for all UVA students and the value of exploring global problems and solutions.
Global Studies Symposium Celebrates Research and Curiosity
Global Studies Symposium Celebrates Research and Curiosity
Luca Pfeiffer’s (GSVS ’23) has spent the last four years capturing his natural surroundings and the wildlife of Albemarle county. His.captivating photography of wildlife found around UVA and surrounding parks stopped symposium-goers in their tracks. His project “A Visual History of Albemarle Wildlife” is also available online.
Similarly, when thinking about the best way to present her thesis on “the Dehumanization of Imprisoned Individuals & Its Contribution to a Lack of Reproductive Justice for Women Incarcerated in the United States”, Ella McGinnis (GPH ’23) decided on an immersive art experience. Her project combined audio recording with a gallery wall of art created by imprisoned and formally imprisoned women.
What makes the Global Futures Symposium special is that it is one of the few occasions during the year that we get to pull all the students together under one roof,” said Caterina Eubanks, Department Manager for Global Studies. “As the event organizer, it’s fun to see what research questions each student chooses to tackle. For me, this event makes tangible these threads that bind the program together.”
Phoebe Crisman Director of Global Studies closed the event with a panel of six Global Studies alumni. The representatives from all six Global Studies tracks spoke about their experiences in the major, their career paths and the impact the major has had on their life post-graduation.
More Information:
2023 project award recipients:
Most Unique Topic
The Dehumanization of Imprisoned Individuals & Its Contribution to a Lack of Reproductive Justice for Women Incarcerated in the United States, Ella McGinnis (GPH ’23)
Biggest Potential Impact
The Living Dead: How State Necropolitics Negatively Impacted Black Lives During the COVID-19 Pandemic in America, Kennedy Harmon (GPH ’23)
Most Likely to be Featured in the New York Times
Charlottesville's Restaurant Industry: A Possible Sustainable, Affordable Future for Laborers and Residents, Sarah Kim (GDS ’23)
Most Likely to Be Implemented in the Real World
Value of Visual Art in the Climate Crisis, Gabby Moore (GSVS ’23)
Most Passionate Presenter
An SLR on the effectiveness of prevention methods for postpartum depression in women, Pradeeti Mainali (GPH ’23)
Most Creative Project
The Impact of Colonialism and Post-Colonial MNC Involvement on Sustainable Development in India, Grace Stevenson (GSMS ’23)
Alumni Favorite
The Role of Architecture on Imperial Projects in the SASWANA Region, Miriam Hossaini (GSMS ’23)
