Research News at the College of Liberal Arts

The College of Liberal Arts recognizes the work accomplished by the most recent cohort of the Faculty Development Center Fellows. The faculty members working in the Humanistic Studies, Social Sciences, Creative Endeavors, and Instructional Excellence, were offered a course release for a semester to make significant contributions to the learning, discovery, and creative mission of our university.

Due to the pandemic, an in-person celebration event was converted to a series of personal videos produced by the awardees as a summary and recognition of their work. The College of Liberal Arts is proud and honored to host them virtually here.

The following videos provide a brief introduction to the awardees' work and accomplishments.

Overall Playlist. Each video can also be watched below.

Faculty Development Center for Artistic Endeavors

Dr. Donald Platt, English Department

Topic: Eighth Book of Poetry, "Swansdown" with New Section, "Highland Rape"

Dr. Platt used his FDC-AE Award to write a new section in his book of poetry titled Swansdown, a meditation on loss and growth that combines historical and traumatic personal experiences.

Watch Dr. Platt's Video Presentation

Faculty Development Center - Humanistic Studies

Dr. Katie Brownell, History Department

Topic: "Cable Television and the Transformation of American Democracy"

Dr. Brownell challenges assumptions about the role of cable TV expansion in reshaping American politics. Her work contributes to the growing field of historical scholarship that recognizes media as central to understanding American political culture and development.

Watch Dr. Brownell's Video Presentation

Dr. Robyn Bartlett (Malo), English Department

Topic: "The Social Lives of Confession"

Dr. Bartlett's (Malo) research examines the ways confession acted culturally in Medieval England as a means to promote the common good.

Watch Dr. Bartlett's (Malo's) Video Presentation

Faculty Development Center - Social Sciences

Dr. Robert X. Browning, Political Science Department

Topic: "Measuring Specialization in the US House Through Floor Speeches"

In his study, Dr. Browning draws on the literature on norms to address the question of practical norms in Congress, including that which prescribes that congresspeople should speak about the things they are most qualified or invited to specialize in. Dr. Browning looked at the topics congresspeople spent the most time on to learn if they speak about a few or many topics.

Watch Dr. Browning's Video Presentation

Dr. Anne Marie Clark, Political Science Department

Topic: "Human Rights Defenders: Bringing Local Social Justice Under the Global Human Rights Umbrella"

Dr. Ann Marie Clark explores the political and theoretical significance of a new type of social and political role in the human rights space: The Human Rights Defender. This is a position that deals with political contestation that focuses on social justice issues that do not fit a traditional conception of human rights. Dr. Clark's work leads to a new conceptualization of human rights advocacy.

Watch Dr. Clark's Video Presentation

Faculty Development Center - Undergraduate Instructional Excellence

Dr. Kim Gallon, History Department

Topic: "The Digital History of the Transatlantic Slave Trade: A VR Experience for Undergraduates"

Dr. Kim Gallon was awarded the FDC UIE for her work on an immersive mobile and desktop VR system of Cape Coast Castle, a major slave port in the West-African country of Ghana. The system was designed to deepen student knowledge of the history of slavery, in an undergraduate digital history course taught by Dr. Gallon. She co-authored and submitted scholarly articles to peer-reviewed journals as well - and the VR application was made publicly accessible via the project website.

Watch Dr. Gallon's Video Presentation

Dr. Rosalee Clawson, Political Science Department

Topic: "Advancing Sustainability Through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE)"

Dr. Clawson works with an engineering research center, ASPIRE, whose vision is a sustainable and equitable transportation future that involves the widespread adoption of electric vehicles.  She is the director of Diversity and Culture of Inclusion for the center and works closely with the Engineering Workforce Development team.  Through curriculum development and pedagogical innovation, their goal is to develop a diverse workforce ready to engage future electrified transportation opportunities with abilities in social justice, public policy, leadership, and ethics.    

Watch Dr. Clawson's Video Presentation

Questions or concerns about the CLA FDC Awards, awardees, presentations, and/or content of this news article can be directed to the CLA Office of Research and Graduate Education at the following email: cla-adr@purdue.edu.