2025 Public Policy Lab Fellowship Awardees<\/h1>\n\n
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- Digital Repression and Governance of Networks and Surveillance (DRAGONS) Dataset<\/a>\n
![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/SkipMark-v1-e1551110833559.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDr. Skip Mark, Assistant Professor of Political Science & Director of the Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: <\/strong>How can we predict and prevent violations of internet freedoms to ensure continued global digital rights advocacy and governmental accountability for engaging in digital rights violations? This project aims to investigate the growing use of digital repression through a new data collection effort that uses qualitative and quantitative information to develop more robust measures of whether digital repression occurred, where <\/em>it occurred, who<\/em> was targeted, and who <\/em>was responsible for the repressive act. Using these data, we intend to (1) demonstrate the degree to which tactics such as internet shutdowns, online censorship, throttling of telecoms services, or digital surveillance serve to abet other human rights abuses and (2) develop a global analysis of digital repression tactics used by every country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Develop Measures of Readiness for Reduction of Marijuana Use and Driving After Use Among College Students<\/a>
\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/AP-683x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDr. Andrea Paiva, Assistant Professor of Psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract: <\/strong>Marijuana use among college students remains a prevalent public health issue with associated risks including impaired driving, especially with the legalization of marijuana in RI in December of 2022. Understanding and enhancing readiness to change these behaviors is critical for developing targeted interventions. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) provides a robust framework for assessing and promoting behavior change across a wide range of health-related behaviors. However, its application to marijuana use and driving after use remains underexplored. Developing specific, validated measures based on the TTM can fill this gap, providing tools for researchers and practitioners to better address these behaviors. Working with MADD RI (Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Rhode Island) on this initiative will help broaden their scope from alcohol use and driving, to impaired driving which can include marijuana use.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Ocean State Politics Podcasts<\/a>
\n\n\n![\"Emily](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/politicalscience\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1146\/elynch-pic--e1562966687831.jpg\")
Emily Lynch<\/strong>: Assistant Teaching Professor, Political Science Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \nProfessor Emily Lynch, of URI’s Department of Political Science, asked her students in Rhode Island Politics course (PSC 305) to make podcasts on local political issues in Rhode Island. Topics range from affordable housing policy to proposed educational reforms. Find the podcasts below and have a listen! <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Top 2025 Podcasts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Jonathan Gutierrez and J.P. Vallot<\/a> on Providence Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maeve Murphy, Madison Pella-Sabourin, Cait Sansonetti, Brynn Stewart, and Katie Rogers<\/a> on Political Participation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sophie Howland, April DiBrita, Kayleigh Durant, and Megan Glancey<\/a> on Assault Weapons<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other Podcasts <\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hannah DeAngelis, Kathryn Holmes, and Emma Trombino<\/a> on Housing in Narragansett<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kristen Sullivan and David Patrie<\/a> on Free Lunch in RI Public Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ryan Estus<\/a>‘ Podcast on School Committees in Rhode Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jonathan Leon’s, Gregory Manni’s, Kiersten Sundell’s<\/a> Podcast on The Environment and Energy in Rhode Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meredith Wilkinson’s, Kacie Curran’s, and Bella Evangelista’s<\/a> Podcast on Criminal Justice Reform in Rhode Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tyler Vanable’s Podcast<\/a> on university and college curriculums in Rhode Island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Julia Melendez’s Podcast<\/a> on the upcoming Seekonk River Soccer Stadium in Pawtucket and possible implications of the Rhode Island rent stability act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter Remke’s and Isaiah Aponte’s Podcast<\/a> on homelessness in Rhode Island: Actions taken so far in housing and what still needs to be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rachel Severn’s Podcast<\/a> on the police bill of rights in Rhode Island and its implications on our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kirsten Hauschildt’s and Chady Bandoma’s Podcast<\/a> on the intersectionality of poverty and quality education in Rhode Island and the greater New England area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Understanding Anti-American Behavior Worldwide<\/a>
\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/royaizadi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Screen-Shot-2022-02-18-at-4.29.26-PM-e1645284416155.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDr. Roya Izadi (Political Science) will be leading a political science research study regarding anti-American behavior globally. While existing literature explores the causes and consequences of negative sentiments, there is a significant gap in understanding anti-American behavior. This project addresses this gap by analyzing original data on 5272 incidents against American citizens and interests worldwide from 1987 to 2015. The research question focuses on why groups\/individuals choose specific actions versus others (e.g., decide to engage in non-violent protests versus decide to resort to bombing or other type of violent attacks) and the factors influencing their choice of targets (American businesses, tourists, diplomatic locations, military bases).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Significance: <\/strong>The theory suggests that resistance or opposition to the United States can be conceptualized as a reactive response to its multifaceted policies and actions in the global stage. In other words, how the world perceives U.S. actions, be they diplomatic, military, or economic, plays a pivotal role in shaping global behavior toward the U.S. The theory suggests that these behaviors are not random but linked to the perceived impact and consequences of U.S. initiatives. The results of the project are crucial for policymakers in assessing proper policy decisions\/responses by the U.S. government.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Rhode Island Survey Initiative<\/a>
\n\n\n\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/elynch-pic-e15629666878311-ezgif.com-webp-to-jpg-converter-300x300.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n![\"Dr.](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Ying_Xiong-300x300.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nThe Rhode Island Survey Initiative is an effort by URI researchers to gather insights from Rhode Islanders about issues that are important to the Ocean State through an annual opinion poll. Faculty Collaborators Dr. Emily Lynch (Political Science), Dr. Ying Xiong (Communications), and SSIREP Director Dr. Julie<\/span> C. Keller devised the surveys, which are administered by YouGov, an international internet-based market research and data analytics firm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abstract:<\/strong> The RI Survey Initiative provides insights into Rhode Islanders’ attitudes toward public education, trust in media, government, elections, political participation, and other issues. The research team collected the 2023 survey data in late August 2023 and analyzed how identities impacted Rhode Islanders’ perspectives on social issues. The team hopes the survey initiative could be a tool for other researchers, policymakers, the media, and others interested in understanding where Rhode Islanders stand on key issues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\nMore Information on RI Survey Initiative<\/a>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Honors Project: Women in Politics<\/a>
In Spring 2023, Mollie Melnick <\/span>(Majors: Political Science & Spanish) completed an Honors Project under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Lynch<\/a> (Political Science) about women in politics, interviewing several women legislators in Rhode Island. Click here<\/a> for a link to her YouTube podcast. <\/p>\n
Title:<\/strong> Does Sexism Alter a Woman\u2019s Decision to Run for U.S. Political Office?
\nAbstract:<\/strong> Women make up approximately 25% of the United States Congress, yet women account for more than half of the country\u2019s population. In our current Congress in power, the 118th Congress, there are 25 women in the 100 person Senate and there are 124 women in the 435 person House of Representatives. And 71% of these women in Congress are Democrats. These disparities prompted me to evaluate the reasons behind the clear absence of proportional representation in the United States Congress. My research indicates that political scientists mostly agree that while women and men can and do win Congressional seats at the same rate, the decision for a woman to decide to run for office is much harder to make than for a man. Women are less confident than men, which leaves them doubting their political skills and ability to run for office and serve the public. Women, especially women of color, also tend to lack political party support, which can make it harder for women to obtain the necessary means to run. And women face racial and gender stereotypes from the media which can influence voters. After looking at research at a federal level, I then conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with seven women members of the Rhode Island General Assembly to evaluate whether my conclusions about women in Congress hold true to Rhode Island. The interviewees included a diverse group with variations in age, political experience, political party, and race and ethnicity. To summarize my findings, I created a short podcast series featuring clips of my interviews. I found many similarities, yet also profound differences, between women politicians in Rhode Island and women politicians in Congress.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>- 2023 Public Policy Lab Fellowship Awardees<\/a>
\nCongratulations to the below mentioned on receiving the Public Policy Lab Fellowship!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"Chelsea](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/C-Farrell-300x280.jpg\")
<\/a>Chelsea Farrell, PhD., Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bridge to Opportunity: A Fidelity Assessment and Preliminary Program Evaluation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n \n![\"Natalie](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Pifer-headshot-300x300.jpg\")
<\/a>Natalie Pifer, PhD., Criminology and Criminal Justice, Bridge to Opportunity: A Fidelity Assessment and Preliminary Program Evaluation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \nBridge to Opportunity: A Fidelity Assessment and Preliminary Program Evaluation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In partnership with Building Futures (BF) and the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), Dr. Chelsea Farrell and Dr. Natalie Pifer will be evaluating BF\u2019s Bridge to Opportunity program. Bridge to Opportunity is funded through the Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act and offers a construction readiness program in prison that connects participants to Building Futures\u2019 community-based pre-apprenticeship program upon release. Broadly, the goal of this program is to reduce recidivism and aid in the reentry process post-release by offering a career pathway into the construction field through continued involvement with BF to obtain the necessary certifications and experiences to enter the high demand and high wage construction industry. Dr. Farrell and Pifer will be joined by two undergraduate research fellows funded by SSIREP\u2019s Public Policy Lab in the Fall of 2023 through Spring 2024. These student fellows will have an opportunity to gain skills in both qualitative and quantitative data management and analysis, along with a deeper understanding of program evaluation and program fidelity assessment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Taylor.jpg\")
<\/a>John Taylor, Plant Sciences and Entomology, Mapping Diverse Services from Alternative Urban Food Provisioning Networks and Identifying Opportunities for Policy Support<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Mapping Diverse Services from Alternative Urban Food Provisioning Networks and Identifying Opportunities for Policy Support<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Immigrant communities and communities of color are more likely to have limited food access and to experience food insecurity. However, they’re also more likely to engage in self-provisioning through growing, fishing, and foraging for food for cultural reasons or to address food system gaps. These self-provisioning activities may be part of larger-scale alternative urban food provisioning networks (AUFPNs) held together by social relations and resource flows, e.g., of food, knowledge, and inputs. The immediate goal of this project is to map the AUFPNs of focal communities in metropolitan Providence and to identify factors contributing to or limiting the success of these networks, with the ultimate goal of developing policy recommendations for encouraging and sustaining AUFPNs.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Developing Engaged Citizens at URI<\/a>
\nPerri Leviss and Student Public Policy Fellows: <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Nethra Prasanna<\/strong> (International Studies and Spanish), Aly Crowley <\/strong>(Political Science and Criminal Justice), Angelina Gomes<\/strong> (Early Childhood Education and Human Development), and Sareena Shetti<\/strong> (Sociology and French). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/image1-300x225.jpeg\")
Sareena Shetti<\/strong> (left) and Aly Crowley<\/strong> (right) in action during data collection\/interviewing on campus<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Snapchat-1371575914-1-e1667585196274-213x300.jpg\")
Nethra Prasanna<\/strong> (ISD\/Spanish)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n \n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Crowley-Gomes-picture--300x225.jpeg\")
Aly Crowley<\/strong> (left) and Angelina Gomes<\/strong> (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n \n![\"Perri](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1146\/PL-Headshot-e1625684012546.jpg\")
Perri Leviss:<\/strong> Currently Assistant Prof. of Political Science at Rhode Island College (previously in Political Science Department at URI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n This is a research project that examines the experiences of recent URI college graduates from the December 2021 and May 2022 classes to explore their levels of civic engagement. The project addresses a series of research questions about the civic mindedness of URI students (and how this may differ by race + ethnicity, gender, class, major etc.), the types of civic-oriented activities students participated in during their time at URI (including academic experiences and co-curricular activities) and the relationship of these activities to students\u2019 sense of community and belonging at URI as well as their post graduation plans. As an engaged research project in partnership with Generation Citizen\/RI (https:\/\/generationcitizen.org\/tag\/rhode-island\/<\/a>), members of the URI student community were involved in the design of the research project, the data collection, and the analysis and reporting of both quantitative and qualitative data. The project builds upon a pilot study that was developed in spring 2022 through a student directed course to 1)<\/strong> identify validated measures of civic engagement and citizenship used at other institutions of higher education and 2)<\/strong> test the data collection instruments.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Rhode Island “Back-to-School” Survey on Media Literacy<\/a>
Primary Investigator: Dr. Renee Hobbs, Professor of Communication Studies (pictured at left)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/ReneeHobbs-v1-crop-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDr. Renee Hobbs\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Tessa-Mediano-Headshot-Cropped-150x150.jpeg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTessa Mediano\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/jenny-sullivan-headshot-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tJenny Sullivan\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n On October 25, just in time for National Media Literacy Week, a SSIREP Public Policy Lab team led by Dr. Renee Hobbs released a Back-to-School Report Card describing the current state of media literacy education throughout the Rhode Island school system<\/a>. The report has been featured in the Boston Globe<\/a> alongside an interview with Dr. Hobbs. (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- “Stuck in Solitary”<\/a>
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Hannah-150x150.jpeg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tHannah Beaucaire\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Natalie-Pifer-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDr. Natalie Pifer\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n Hannah Beaucaire, an undergraduate senior majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice, created a series of digital video stories on the topic of solitary confinement. The videos seek to make information about the practice and effect of solitary confinement more accessible and provide a resource for advocates pursuing solitary confinement policy reform. Beaucaire\u2019s project was supported by the College of Arts and Science\u2019s Summer Fellows Program<\/a> and the Office of Undergraduate Research and Innovation at URI<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Beaucaire conceptualized the project while learning about solitary confinement in a criminology and criminal justice class taught by Dr. Natalie Pifer<\/a>, an Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and a SSIREP fellow. Dr. Pifer, who served as the faculty advisor for Beaucaire\u2019s work, is a punishment scholar who studies criminal justice reforms, including solitary confinement. Dr. Pifer has received SSIREP support to collect interview data as part of her research on reforms undertaken by the Maine Department of Corrections<\/a>. She has conducted research into reforms to solitary confinement policy undertaken by the Washington state Department of Corrections. Information about these reforms is available here.<\/a> (more…)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- The Ocean Tides School Research Assistant Program<\/a>
Primary Investigator: <\/strong>Dr. Judy A. Van Wyk, Associate Professor of Sociology & Anthropology (pictured at left)<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Judy-Jan-2020-photo-150x150.png\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDr. Judy A. Van Wyk\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/IMG_0420-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tOlivia Johnson\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/IMG_5590-e1622212780949-150x150.png\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tRandy Urena\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n Dr. Van Wyk’s team at the Public Policy Lab will work to encode data from the case files of residents at Ocean Tides<\/a>, an accredited school and residential treatment program for adjudicated boys (ages 13-17) in Narragansett, RI. Ocean Tides is operated by De La Salle Christian Brothers, a non-profit organization, under the auspices of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)<\/a>. Student research assistants on the team will include Olivia Johnson (pictured above, at center), Antineice Muhammad and Randy Urena (at right). They will practice valuable research skills, learn about the Ocean Tides School and meet the staff. The data they process will help Ocean Tides develop future programming for their residents and inform research about troubled youth.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- Developing Apprenticeship Models in Early Childhood Education<\/a>
Primary Investigator: Dr. Sue K. Adams, Professor of Human Development and Family Science (pictured at left)<\/em><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/20200722_132318-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tDr. Sue K. Adams\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure> \n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/118006437_1215903192121812_7935656200448128788_n-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tSarah Behm\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n In partnership with the Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children<\/a> and the RI Department of Human Services<\/a>, Dr. Adams, colleagues from the URI Child Development Center and HDF undergraduate student, Sarah Behm (pictured above, at right), will be working to develop a model to provide training for associate-level teacher apprentices in the provision of high-quality early childhood education and care. The URI Child Development Centers will provide intensive mentorship to teachers and teaching assistants at 4 community preschools to help enhance skills and develop the beginnings of a sustainable model of apprenticeship in early childhood education and care.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- The Inclusive Housing Project<\/a>
Primary Investigators: Drs. Brendan Skip Mark, Assistant Professor of Political Science (pictured in top row, left); Richard McIntyre, Professor of Economics (top row, center); Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, Professor of Political Science (top row, right); and Robert Widell, Associate Professor of History (center row, left)
\n<\/em><\/p>\n - Applying the Transtheoretical Model to Develop Measures of Readiness for Reduction of Marijuana Use and Driving After Use Among College Students<\/a>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Brenden-Mark-v1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/RickMcIntyre-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/Shanna_PMsized-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/ssirep\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1611\/RobertWidell.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t