Global Studies and Geography Students Participate in Spring 2017 Undergraduate Research Day
On May 11, 2017, seven Global Studies and Geography students from Dr. Craig Dalton’s various GIS classes presented the final conclusions of their semester-long research projects. The research ranged from mapping out green spaces on Long Island to analyzing whether the busiest MTA subway stops correlated with low income areas to documenting the recent rise in hate crimes across the nation. Several students combined their research with other departments including the Department of Geology, Environment and Sustainability (GES) Studies, and the Department of Health Professions.
As part of her project, which looked at trends in reported hate crimes, CJ Burka found that in 2015 there was a slight uptick in hate crimes across the U.S. but she expects future data will show an even more dramatic increase.
Robbie Levinson believes that healthcare is very important as it impacts everyone and we should all be aware of how much the government actually spends. His project took data on healthcare expenditures from over two dozen countries around the world and compared them. He discovered that the U.S. spends the greatest percentage of their GDP on healthcare and the third most money on each individual for healthcare.
Triple major (Global Studies/Geography/Sustainability) Matt Christian’s mapping of green spaces showed that under a broader definition of the term “green space,” many people have more access to the outdoors than they are led to believe. Moreover, people who frequent green spaces often have improved mental health and tend to be more environmentally friendly.
Rachel Scarpino compared inequality from a social and economic perspective and engaged with several visitors who asked her questions about her research and shared personal experiences that related to her work. This opportunity to hear first-hand accounts provided an additional dimension to the project, which had previously been more objective than subjective for her.
CJ Burka presented: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave Hateful: Examining Geographic and Demographic Trends in Reported Hate Crimes
Jasmina Dzurlic presented: Sewer Outflows and Water Quality in Southern Nassau County
James Eager presented: New Neighbors: The Impact of New Populations on the New York City Subway
Robert Levinson presented: Health Care Expenditure Around the World
Connor Mayes presented: The Refugee Crisis in Germany
Rachel Scarpino presented: Comparing Inequality: A Social and Economic Perspective
Carys Swan presented: Shipwrecks of World War II
Matt Christian presented: Asset Mapping of Green Spaces on Long Island: A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – Based Analysis
Melissa Reeves, Pranav Bahuleyan Nair & CJ Burka presented: Rating Cycling and Pedestrian Infrastructure along Sunrise Highway in Nassau County
View the Undergraduate Research Day program for a full list of all exhibitors and their projects. Look for these and other maps to be displayed around Roosevelt Hall and within the Department.
Congrats to all of our wonderful presenters!
Click on the above photo to view the full album on Flickr.