Tag: Diversity and Analysis

The Efficacy of Diversity Training in Nonprofit Organizations

Presenter: Isabel Queisser – Planning, Public Policy and Management

Faculty Mentor(s): Nicole Ngo

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis

This study explores the outcomes of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) training in nonprofit organizations. This study aims to determine which aspects of diversity training lead to increased awareness about DEI or tangible improvements, and which factors are more detrimental to the goals of DEI. Open ended interviews were conducted with 18 nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest, where participants were asked about their experiences with DEI trainings and workshops. The data were then coded for the themes addressed above. This research suggests that diversity training can be a successful tool to increase DEI engagement if intentionally designed with longevity and opportunities for dialogue, actionable steps, and organization-specific focus in mind and are facilitated by an expert.

Exploring sibilants and gender: A le/s/on from transgender speakers

Presenter: Jaidan McLean – Linguistics

Faculty Mentor(s): Tyler Kendall

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis

Sibilant consonant variation is a well-studied topic in linguistics research to examine multiple social axes. Regarding gender, Zimman (2017) raised questions about the social patterning of sibilants in transgender speaker’s /s/ production since previous literature has only examined sibilant variation through a binarily cisgender lens. Focusing on transgender men and transmasculine people, Zimman found the social implications of gender identity and expression influence /s/ production in complex ways. As part of an undergraduate honors thesis, this study attempts to address the following two questions regarding /s/ production among a sample of transgender women and transfeminine people: How does speaker identity influence the patterns for /s/ variation found among the speakers? How do intraspeaker variations differ across speech, gender identities and expressions? Sociolinguistic interviews were used to elicit natural /s/ production, followed by a reading passage and word list task to elicit scripted speech. Focusing on center of gravity (COG) frequencies, this study finds its speaker productions to vary greatly with one’s expression and in certain linguistic conditions, both across the group’s and within individual speech. Such drastic variation complicates binarily established COG frequency ranges from previous literature and parallels Zimman’s (2017) findings. These data demonstrate the importance of considering all aspects of social identities as everyone is complex.

Do waste management firms in Oregon disproportionately affect low-income minorities?

Presenter: David Lopez-Aparicio − Political Science

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis, Poster Presentation

History has shown us that low-income minorities often bear the brunt end of the stick for health, income-mobility, and education. Though in recent times these disparities are narrowing, there is still much to be done. Past research in other states has demonstrated that low-income minorities are disproportionately affected by environmental racism through pollution cause by firms. These quiet literal dirty economies have directly resulted in lower-quality healthcare, lower education rates, and lack of socio-economic mobility for minorities. With the ongoing exacerbating effects of the pandemic, it is crucial to analyze how these marginalized people are being effected to implement protective policy. Currently, there exists no data examining if there is a relationship between Oregon waste management firms and the communities they’re surrounded by. We will be utilizing economic regression models to examine past data regarding income, health, and education rates around the communities waste management firms in Oregon reside. This will assist us in determining the potential adverse effects they face as a result—higher health defects, lower income and graduation rates. If previous investigations are any indicator, we should expect to find there is a negative relationship for communities geographically close to these firms. These findings will add to the national conversation surrounding environmental racism and reaffirm past exploration.

Everyone’s Business? How Eugene Downtown Businesses Responded to #BLM and #StopAsianHate

Presenter: Cassie Cole — Public relations

Faculty Mentor(s): Dr. Donnalyn Pompper

Session: (In-Person) Oral Panel—Diversity and Analysis

The 2020 Black Lives Matter movement made international headlines as a powerful push for racial equality in the United States. Media coverage on the movement helped BLM supporters gain support throughout the country, but the Stop Asian Hate movement in 2021 did not garner the same level of media coverage. The purpose of this research is to examine the causes and incentives that determined whether Eugene business owners chose to support these two social movements. This study asks the question: How did the recent social movements generate support from Eugene business owners and how was this reflected in the businesses themselves? Surveys and interviews were used to analyze why and what incentivized Eugene businesses’ response to the BLM and Stop Asian Hate movements. Business owners were asked to explain their response to these movements and the channels through which they received their information. Using Critical Race Theory, study responses were analyzed to find that the difference in media coverage between the two movements caused the BLM movement to be more heavily supported by Eugene business owners. BLM held a large physical and social media presence, allowing them to generate more attention for their cause. The findings of this research emphasizes the growing necessity of social media and social interactions for the growth of a movement. Rather than mainstream media coverage, it is often the opinion of one’s friends and peers that ultimately influences social justice.