Three University of Wyoming students will share their research during the “Looking Locally, Speaking Globally” event as part of the Centennial Speaker Series on May 20 at the Centennial Library in Centennial. The series is hosted by UW’s Center for Global Studies and the Centennial Library.
The event aims to bring international topics and discussions to southeast Wyoming, giving local residents a chance to hear about global issues from university scholars.
Mary Rocha, a master’s student in international studies from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, will present her research titled “Moving National Security into the Classroom: A Case Study of the United Kingdom’s Prevent Policy.” Rocha said, “This research examines the Prevent strategy in the Greater Manchester area of the United Kingdom as a national security policy operating within educational settings. Drawing on interviews, policy analysis, literature review and survey data, it explores the extent to which Prevent can be understood as a policy outcome of the securitization of British Muslim identity.” Her study uses securitization theory and new terrorism theory to analyze how modern understandings of terrorism have shaped this controversial policy.
Austin Barth, a graduating senior majoring in zoology from Burns, will discuss his project titled “Testing Long-Term Memory of Territorial Neighbors in Chestnut-Backed Antbirds (Poliocrania exsul).” Barth said, “We examined if Poliocrania exsul maintains acoustic memory of previous territorial neighbors. Working in central Panama with a long-term banded population, we conducted a field playback experiment to test if territorial songs of previous neighbors — those dead at least one year — were perceived as equally threatening as current neighbors… We predicted that this species would exhibit neighbor-stranger discrimination…” His work represents what he describes as “the first-known test of memory related to neighbor-stranger discrimination in any bird species.”
Misty Springer, a second-year Ph.D. candidate studying public humanities from Garden Valley, Idaho, will present her project called “Creatively Preserving Indigenous San Stories, Culture and History.” Springer said her work is based on collaborative relationships with !Xun and Khwe San communities in Platfontein, South Africa: “Through this initiative I will preserve personal/historical narratives and San cultural practices while also addressing community-identified needs through development of a nonprofit organization… This work is grounded in respect… ensuring that cultural knowledge is honored and sustained for future generations.”
According to information provided by organizers, CGS supports students and faculty across campus with fellowships and grants focused on internationally engaged research opportunities. The center works toward collaboration between Wyoming communities and partners around the world.
The speaker series continues UW’s efforts to connect local audiences with global scholarship.
