Room 11 Schedule
Smullin B17
Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
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My thesis examines the rise of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a former state-backed paramilitary that has successfully ‘escaped’ state control and plunged the nation into civil war. I trace its evolution from the Arab-based Janjaweed militias to its formalization into the state security apparatus, its role in toppling President al-Bashir, and its central position in the conflict since April 2023. By comparing the RSF’s trajectory with that of other paramilitary groups, my paper identifies the conditions under which state-sponsored paramilitaries can become powerful enough to challenge the state that formed them.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
Since the Taiwan Relations Act was passed in 1979, the United States has adopted a deliberately ambiguous stance regarding cross-strait relations between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan. "Strategic ambiguity" refers to the longstanding U.S. policy that intentionally keeps the United States' resolve to militarily intervene on behalf of Taiwan unclear. This approach aims to deter a Chinese invasion while also discouraging Taiwan from formally declaring independence, thereby maintaining the status quo. This project takes a closer look at the messaging of past and present U.S. administrations and their apparent support of military intervention in support of Taiwan. This, coupled with the increased military cooperation between the two countries and the increased China-U.S. tensions, calls for a reevaluation of strategic ambiguity and whether it is still exemplified in U.S. foreign policy.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
In this paper I will examine why the success of European Union security and foreign policy initiatives varies despite the EU's growing institutional capacity. I will evaluate three main arguments, which are EU institutional capability, political consensus among member sates, and NATO/US Support. Through comparative case studies of operation Atalanta, operation Sophia, and the 2011 Libya intervention, the paper argues that EU security success depends on the interaction between EU institutional capabilities and external support from NATO and the United States, suggesting that EU strategic autonomy remains dependant on the transatlantic security framework.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
This thesis project seeks to answer a deceptively simple question: when and why do countries build nukes? This thesis project will establish a checklist of requirements for nuclearization by testing various explanations against the experiences of every country that has tried to develop their own nuclear weapons. After outlining the treacherous path to the bomb, I will apply the criteria to recognized ‘nuclear power wannabe’ states in the current world, and attempt to provide insights into present and near-future events in international nuclear politics.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
Canada and the United States have found themselves in a peculiar situation. With the current bullying of fellow western allies and the alienation of Canadian interests in Washington. Canada has found itself looking elsewhere for new economic opportunities abroad. Throughout the beginning of this year, China and Canada have found themselves in a new potential economic partnership. However, this may not have solely been a 2026 situation, after the end of the 2018 Meng Wanzhou arrest, public opinion surrounding the US in Canada had been at a lowpoint. What may have triggered this anti american sentiment among Canadians that could have eventually have led to this split?
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
While the global financial crisis of 2008 had dramatic impacts on the GDP growth of most Asian economies, China and Vietnam were distinct in that both countries’ GDP growth only dipped modestly. Despite pre-existing conditions of turmoil, both countries were able to enact political and economic reform during the crisis period. A possible explanation lies in China and Vietnam’s comparatively lesser degree of global financial integration as a result of their classical socialist past, however, the state controls as features of their “socialist market economy” seem to provide a better explanation for each states’ economic resilience.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
Currently, the “Big Three” United States automotive companies are engaged in a specific strategy to produce more large Trucks and SUV’s at the expense of smaller and more fuel-efficient models such as sedans or even EV’s. This strategy is also almost exclusively centered around the United States’ market, forsaking global market share and expansion. Not only this, but in the past, the US automakers were more globally focused. Therefore, the question is: why has the US auto sector adopted this approach? This thesis seeks to explore a multitude of reasons why these automotive companies have adopted this strategy.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies -
This paper explains how Russia maintained large seaborne oil exports after February 24, 2022, despite the EU embargo and the G7 price cap. I argue that shadow fleet shipping is not just rogue smuggling but an institutional workaround: Russia rebuilt a parallel maritime service stack (ownership, flags, insurance, ship management, and ship-to-ship transfers) that exploits governance gaps while preserving a facade of legality. Using a within-case, time-ordered design (2014-2025), I track how evasion shifted from improvisation to scaled gray-zone logistics, weakening enforceability and externalizing safety and environmental risks onto the maritime commons.
Faculty Sponsor: Greg Felker
Discipline: International Studies, CCSRG -
This project sought to understand which factor is the best predictor of attitude toward/propensity for violence: experiences of violence before the age of 18, or antisocial personality factors. Additional variables that have been linked to this trait in the research literature, such as burnout and empathy, were included in our analysis. Data was collected from three samples: law enforcement officers (LEOs), emergency medical service (EMS) providers, and introduction to psychology students. These results will improve our understanding of predictors of violence, the influence of childhood trauma on one’s career, and first responders’ psychology.
Faculty Sponsor: Erik E. Noftle
Discipline: Psychology, Presidential Scholarship -
This presentation will be about the project I fulfilled this past summer through the Carson Grant, which involved the composition and orchestration of two pieces of original music for the Renovare string program at Grafton Correctional Institution in Ohio. Following completion of the score and parts, I traveled to Grafton to assist the program director and participants as they prepared for the premier performance. I will discuss my composition process, play clips of my compositions, and talk about my experience working with the musicians.
Faculty Sponsor: James Miley
Discipline: Music, Carson Grant -
Language is critical to health care. At the same time, language barriers have been noted as a formidable barrier for Asian Americans in accessing healthcare. While research has been done to understand this phenomenon, many of the existing research is contextualized within larger cities. This project aims to utilize semi-structured interviews to understand the challenges of language barriers and healthcare interpretation that exist within smaller communities such as Salem’s Chinese American community. This presentation presents the results and questions from my fieldwork in identifying the barriers and challenges that this community faces in accessing healthcare interpretation.
Faculty Sponsor: Juwen Zhang
Discipline: Chinese Studies, and Public Health Ethics Advocacy & Leadership, Carson Grant -
Approximately one in three undergraduate students in the United States is in the first year of grieving the death of a significant family member or friend. Bereaved students often struggle to navigate their grief in college due to distance from home, academics, social pressures, and limited social support. Through a mixed-method research study approach, including interviews, comparative analysis, autoethnography, and participant evaluation, I developed a guidebook and interactive training session for student leaders. This presentation will detail my project’s development and share insights for enhancing grief literacy within higher education and beyond.
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Maegan Parker Brooks
Discipline: Civic Communication and Media, Carson Grant -
Western classical music is often inaccessible to the average demographic due to cultural and financial barriers. Although institutional and technological advancements, including digital streaming, community concerts, and diversity programming, have improved accessibility, other factors, such as tutoring and instrument prices, highbrow culture, and Eurocentrism, prolong inaccessibility. By interviewing several renowned flutists from different cultural backgrounds and hosting a flute-crafting and playing workshop, this documentary seeks to illustrate how flute crafting and playing can foster intercultural diversity and appreciation, contribute to musicians’ sense of identity, and introduce more financially and socially sustainable ways to pursue music.
Faculty Sponsor: Juwen Zhang
Discipline: Global Cultural Studies, Carson Grant -
Combining qualitative research, experimental photography, and documentary film, we created a multimedia installation examining the relationship between artistic self-expression and economic ideas of productivity. Together we studied experimental venues and music scenes across the American West, investigating how these spaces emerge, grow, and sustain communities. Through interviews with artists, organizers, and audiences, we were able to explore the social and economic significance of art within these communities. Our findings culminated in an installation at the Willamette Art Gallery featuring photographs, film and archival material, followed by a screening of our mid length documentary film presented to the community.
Faculty Sponsor: Holden Head
Discipline: Studio Art, Carson Grant -
Rose Grimson will present her interactive mapping tool developed for the native plant nursery and restoration site at the Natural Resources Department of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Supported by a Carson Grant, her work integrates GIS, soil sampling, and ecological surveys to map soil health, plant species diversity, and First Foods across the restoration property. Rose will highlight how interactive mapping supports restoration planning, tracks soil change over time, and deepens ecological and ethno-botanical understanding. Her tool provides resources for community foraging, food sovereignty, cultural practices, and ecological education. Attendees will leave with insights into how similar mapping models might be replicated in their own communities.
Faculty Sponsor: David P. Craig
Discipline: Biology, Carson Grant