IWU Hosts Human Rights Undergraduate Research Conference

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — “Changing Climates and Human Rights Discourse” is the theme for Illinois Wesleyan University’s seventh annual Human Rights Undergraduate Research Workshop, Feb. 15-17, sponsored by The Center for Human Rights and Social Justice.

The workshop will be led by Ben and Susan Rhodes Professor of Peace and Social Justice Irv Epstein, who serves as Chair of the Department of Educational Studies and Director of the Center for Human Rights and Social Justice. In conjunction with the University’s 2018-19 intellectual theme Changing Climates, undergraduate students from Illinois Wesleyan and neighboring liberal arts institutions will present their research on human rights issues that have evolved given recent changes in environmental, political, social, cultural and religious climates.

Aschale Siyoum, Assistant Professor of Social & Behavioral Sciences at Xavier University of Louisiana and a Scholar at Risk, will be a featured guest at the workshop. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with Siyoum over lunch on Friday, Feb. 17 from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Memorial Center’s Titan Room.

Illinois Wesleyan University student presenters and their topics include:

• Environmental studies major Emily Chamernik ’22 (Grayslake, Ill.) — “Mike Luckovich: Syndicated Cartoonist Fighting Police Brutality”
• International studies and political science double major Ann Crumbaugh ’19 (Le Roy, Ill.)  —  “Food Security in Zambia”
• Political science major Shakira Cruz-Gonzales ’21 (Gretna, La.)  —  “Education in Disaster Capitalism: Three Areas”
• Undeclared major Ray Loerke ’22 (Broomfield, Colo.)  —  “Forming Leaders, Hip Hop and Speech: Richard Williams & Racism in America”
• Nursing majors Jenny Ly ’21 (Chicago), Anna Mitroszewska ’21 (Chicago), Mimi Nguyen ’21 (Melrose Park, Ill.), Rebecca Rochacz ’21 (Tinley Park, Ill.), Amanda Rogers ’21 (Bloomington, Ill.), & Jennipher Sanchez ’21 (Chicago)  —  “Religious and Spiritual Diversity of Registered Nurses in the United States”
• Anthropology major Chaepter Negro ’19 (New Berlin, Ill.)  —  “Terrace Degradation and Heirloom Rice Preservation Initiatives in the Philippines: Varied Perspectives and Dwindling Time”
• Economics and political science double major David Werner ’21 (Frankfort, Ill.)  —  “Child Soldiering and the Sierra Leone Civil War”
• Finance major Sarah Ziwiski ’22 (Hampshire, Ill.) — “Women’s Rights through Video Series”

By Rachel McCarthy ’21