Hanover College
AC-9: Research and Scholarship

Sustainability Research Inventory 2022

Natural Sciences
1. Dr. Molly Winke
Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
The only way my research with students speaks to sustainability would be the use of various devices to track sleep and recovery, which would then be used to guide activities for the next day or make suggestions to improve the next night’s sleep, which would in theory improve various performances and function. Some of my past research makes use of recovery devices to improve future physical performances. So I guess that all could be interpreted as improving human function sustainability (?)

2. Dr. Bryant Stamford

Kinesiology and Integrative Physiology
for many years i have been interested in studying the impact of insulin resistance contributing to the metabolic syndrome that progresses from pre-diabetes to Type 2 diabetes, and the factors that drive the process (poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise, etc.).
regarding inclusivity, etc and the issues surrounding this research, minority communities are particularly hit hard as insulin resistance typically leads not only to Type 2 diabetes, but also hypertension and heart disease, and much needs to be done in minority communities to help.

3. Dr. Darrin Rubino
Biology
Yes, I think I fit in this broad definition. In regards to environmental degradation, we do some work on invasive species, mostly vinca and princess tree. We are also monitoring growth phenology of hardwood trees using dendrometer bands in order to detect a possible change in growing season initiation, length, and cessation (this could link in with global climate change). Not sure if this counts, but with our tree-ring work on old buildings, I guess we are looking at cultural resources and their preservation? That may be a stretch, but I throw it out for thought.

4. Dr. Rachel Thomas
Psychology
I definitely think my research aligns with this inclusive definition of sustainability. My research focuses on influences on inclusive learning environments with the aim of identifying ways to make those learning environments more inclusive for all learners. My current projects are related to gender diversity in U.S. classrooms and students’ and teachers’ perceptions of inclusivity in secondary classrooms in Kenya. In terms of the challenges defined by the AASHE, I think my work addresses inequality. I would call it culture-specific investigations of inequality in education, in the U.S. and Kenya.

Social Sciences
5. Dr. Mi Yung Yoon
International Studies
My research have been about gender inequality in politics and foreign aid for poverty reduction. It may be relevant. If needed, I can send you my publication list so that you can decide. Just let me know.

6. Dr. Robyn Ryle
Sociology
I would say the gender textbook - Questioning Gender: A Sociological Exploration does--it talks about ecofeminism. The other two books She/He/They/Me: For the Sisters, Misters and Binary Resisters and Throw Like a Girl, Cheer Like a Boy – do address inequality in global perspective. If that's enough to count them, then go for it.

7. Rachel Davidson
Communication

Dr. Davidson writes on feminism, female empowerment, activism and health advocacy.
For instance: “Rhetorical lessons in health advocacy: Advancing persuasive problems and partial solutions in pro-caregiving advocacy policy statements,” Rhetoric of Health and Medicine 1 (3-4) (2018): 323-48.

Humanities
8. Dr. Beatrice Marovich
Theological Studies
Yes, I think it does! My forthcoming book, Sister Death: Political Theologies for Living and Dying, essentially argues that Christianity has bequeathed a political theology of death, to American culture at-large, that's unsustainable. More specifically, this is the idea that death is an enemy of the good, an enemy of God, and something to be defeated. I'm arguing, in the book, that this view of death is something to critique. And I'm trying to encourage people who've been caught up in this pattern of thought to learn more from thinkers and practices that attend to the ecological wisdom of decay (and can understand how it's life supporting).

All full and part time faculty on the department rosters were contacted twice via email. AASHE's definition of sustainability was included and faculty were asked if their research fit. A small number self-reported with a brief description of their research, and I checked to see if I also thought it fit. An additional faculty was added when I went through the faculty publications list.

The website above includes all faculty research publications, not sorted by sustainability.