2021
Grayson Stevens '21 Major: Applied Psychology B.S Minor: Counseling; Women's and Gender Studies
Conduct research on the experiences and perspectives of transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) mental health professionals. This research will expand on TGNB therapy and internalized prejudice, focusing on issues like the therapeutic relationship, countertransference, and the effects of internalized transphobia amongst providers. The final product for this study will be a sociological research paper and an oral presentation as part of a Gender and Sexualities panel at the 2021 Whalen Symposium.
Zoe Hadley '22 Major: Sociology, Minor: Women's and Gender Studies, African Diaspora Studies
Conduct research that explores sexuality, gender, friendships, and relationships. Investigating the phenomenon of friend groups who have sex with each other, as distinct from dyadic “friends with benefits” situations or polyamorous relationships. This study will broaden audience's understandings of love, sex, gender, intimacies, and friendship. The results will reveal the potential for pushing, expanding, and fully understanding the limits or overlap of the boundaries of these concepts. It will bring the social constructions of sexuality and relationships further into question. The final product for this study will be a sociological research paper and eventually, the goal will be to publish this work in an academic journal.
2020
CELIA BOSTOCK '20 Accounting
Conduct sexualities research on BDSM representations and stereotypes in popular media. Representations of sexuality, gender, and kink have legal, social, and political implications, including, but not limited to custody battles in divorces (see Ridinger 2006), false allegations of abuse (ex: the Spanner Trials), and negative professional consequences. Examine how stereotypes play a role in stigmatizing a community, and the differences in representations when it comes to gender. Explore how these differences may lead to unequal consequences and gendered implications.
RACHEL CUTSUMPAS '20 Integrated Marketing Communications
Conduct research on Student Engagement Gender Gap: An Exploration of Gender Differences in Extracurricular Participation and Motivation in Higher Education. Examine differences in gender representation in extracurricular involvement in higher education. Both primary and secondary research will be conducted on topics of student engagement, extracurricular attendance and participation, as well as motivational differences between men and women in campus involvement. The study will be specific to Ithaca College’s campus community, but will provide suggestions for improvement that could be extended to other colleges and universities.
SOPHIA ICHIZAWA '20 Sociology
Conduct a qualitative research project on how women in Japan experience sexuality, gender, and relationships in the context of external social forces (e.g., sexism) that persist throughout the country. Mainly focused on how the hypersexualization of women in the commericialized sex industry can exist in a place that is otherwise a traditionally modest country; how does that seemingly contradictory environment affect women today? This is an important area of study because little qualitative research has been done on contemporary women’s sexuality and relationships in Japan. Japanese women have been fighting persistent (sexist) cultural norms when it comes to sexuality and relationships, but Japan has experienced continuing social change in relationship structures and intimacy.
CLARE NOWALK '20 Sociology
Conduct research on perceptions of women in sex trafficking and sex work, focusing on institutional stakeholders who come into contact with sex trafficking and sex work. Simultaneously, this research explores various narratives around who is a “victim” in the sex industry vs. a “worker” and, rather than calling for a specific policy change as many studies do, asks for more intentional examination of how groups and individuals perceive and interact with women in the sex industry. The final product for this study will be a sociological research paper and applied work in the form of an informational module for a variety of audiences and an oral presentation that will build upon previous presentations given at Whalen 2019, NYSSA, and the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) 2020.
ANGELINA RANDAZZO '19 English
Presenting at International English Honors Society Conference (Sponsor, Derek Adams). Sigma Tau Delta is an International Organization that is "dedicated to fostering literacy and all aspects of the discipline of English." Every spring it holds an international conference where members from chapters all over the world come together to "gather in one locale, share experiences and expertise, be recognized for their achievements, and participate in the official proceedings of the Society." My paper, "Tight Wings: Hedda Gabler as the Angel in the House," has been accepted to the 2020 conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. My paper explores how Hedda Gabler, in her titular modern drama by Henrik Ibsen, navigates the expected roles for women in the 18th century. I argue she is a New Woman, a woman who is more concerned with her own freedom and development, who is forced into the role of the Angel in House, the wife and mother whose primary function was to cleanse and purify the world from the corruption and grime of the industrial, outside world. Because Hedda cannot survive as the Angel, she seeks suicide as a new freedom, but in my paper I argue that this is not a win for her, but for the patriarchy.
LILA WEISER '23 Music Education
Attending United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (Sponsor, Alicia Swords). Every year, the United Nations hosts a two-week Commission on the Status of Women, dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls. While attendance to the general body meetings of the United Nations diplomats is reserved for select groups, there are events open to the public called parallel events which occur during the conference. These sessions, hosted by NGOs or other non-profits, are free and discuss issues of gender inequality in various facets. Each ninety-minute session offers an unparalleled glimpse into the lives of women globally and the steps being taken to empower women in girls in a multitude of countries.
