This year, the college saw one of its strongest turnouts yet, with 129 student poster presentations accepted, highlighting the depth and diversity of undergraduate and graduate research across disciplines.

For many students, especially undergraduates, the symposium represents a first opportunity to present original research in a professional, conference-style setting. Participants engage directly with faculty, peers and visitors, gaining valuable experience in communicating complex ideas, answering questions and refining their work.

Across disciplines, CHSS students tackled timely and complex issues. In psychology, projects examined mental health, workplace equity and emerging technologies, including how college students perceive AI-driven wellness tools and how flexible work environments shape women’s experiences in STEM fields.

Other research explored systems of justice, memory and language. Students in political science, law and justice studies considered how trauma and systemic harm shape legal experiences, while humanities research explored topics like youth activism, LGBTQ+ advocacy and the evolving role of poetry in global protest movements.

The symposium also brought students to campus from across the country, underscoring its role as a meaningful academic milestone and an opportunity to engage with the university community in person. Elizabeth Moe, a student in the online Social Research and Data Analysis MA, traveled from out of state to present her research project, “The Role of Relationships in Alcohol Recovery,” said the experience was also her first time presenting research publicly.

“Presenting my research meant getting to take part of my life experience and turn it into something that might help others,” Moe said. “It was also a way for me to take pride in my work and share it in a meaningful, public way.”

Moe said she especially appreciated the opportunity to connect with attendees who stopped to ask questions and engage with her research throughout the day.

Beyond presenting, students gain confidence and clarity about their academic and professional paths. Preparing a poster, articulating research findings and responding to feedback are key steps in developing skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

The annual symposium continues to be a cornerstone of �鶹��ý����’s commitment to student research, offering a platform where ideas are tested, voices are heard and emerging scholars take their next steps.

Participating units reflected the breadth of our interdisciplinary reach, including the College for Education and Engaged Learning; Sprague Library, including Special Collections; Justice Studies and the Global Center on Human Trafficking; Economics; the Office for Faculty Excellence; and the Center for Strategic Communication in the College of Communication and Media. We were also pleased to welcome strong participation from Bloomfield College, including representatives from Religious Studies, Humanities, Applied Linguistics, and programs spanning data and computer science, communications, and business, along with leadership from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Together, these contributions created a dynamic space for conversation, connection, and collaboration—an event whose energy and engagement signal the continued promise of the School for Interdisciplinary Studies to grow and to advance the university’s broader vision for innovative, cross-disciplinary education and impact.

The change suggests a wider cultural acceptance of the “sinister” hand preference, and offers representation for lefty fans of the beloved animated films.

The findings, “Princess hands: Handedness of protagonists versus antagonists in Disney’s ‘Princess’ animated movies,” were recently published in the academic journal .

Main findings

• Before about 1992, princesses were more right-handed than villains. Over time, princesses got more left-handed, while villains’ handedness stayed the same.
• In general, the characters were less strongly handed than in real life — most would be considered ambidextrous by the researchers’ definitions.
• Tiana (“The Princess and the Frog”) and Belle (“Beauty and the Beast”), both princesses, are the most left-handed; Villains Jafar (“Aladdin”), Dr. Facilier (“The Princess and the Frog”) and Namaari (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) were also left-handed.
• Mor’Du (“Brave”) and Maleficent (“Sleeping Beauty”) — both villains — were identified strongly right-handed.

More about the study

The research team, which included two undergraduate students at �鶹��ý����, examined hand use of princesses and villains in 13 official Disney Princess movies. They counted how many times each princess or villain performed various activities with one hand or the other, using three different handedness questionnaires including the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI).

“Our goal was to see if villains were more left-handed than princesses because culturally, evil is associated with the left-handed, and whether any left-evil associations had changed over time, given changes in culture,” says Ruth Propper, lead researcher and professor of Psychology.

Each Disney princess and villain was assigned a handedness score (-100 being perfectly lefty and +100 perfectly righty) and the results show that over time, princesses have become less right-handed, especially after about 1992, while villains have remained stable in their handedness.

Overall, the characters were much less right-handed than the human population.

What the researchers say

Prior to 1992, Propper explains, princesses were more right-handed than villains, while after 1992 princesses became more left-handed than villains.

So, what changed?

“We suspect that there are many factors at play here.” Propper says. “One possibility is that around the early 1990s the ‘Nine Old Men,’ the animators responsible for most Disney movies from the 1930s to the 1990s, retired.

“It’s possible that the new animators who were hired had less bias against left-handedness, as cultural views about lefties had changed. Certainly there are likely pragmatic reasons as well, and we don’t know the actual handedness of the animators, which could also have been a factor.”

Why it matters

The research and methodology were inspired by existing research Propper encountered analyzing early 1900s documentary footage to estimate rates of left-handedness at that time. Propper and her research team took the innovative approach a step further, utilizing Disney princess films that offer clear distinctions between protagonists and antagonists and allow for meaningful comparisons across character types.

Additionally, “because the characters are animated, handedness is a deliberate choice made by animators, which may reflect cultural assumptions or biases, rather than simply the natural handedness of an actor,” Propper says. Since the Disney princess films span roughly 80 years, this also gave researchers an opportunity to examine potential cultural shifts over time.

Propper says this study demonstrates that research does not always need to be complex or highly technical. And, it speaks to representation.

“Left-handed individuals have often been described as lacking a clear cultural identity and may feel overlooked or negatively stereotyped,” says Propper. “Seeing left-handed traits reflected in familiar and beloved figures, such as Disney princesses, can contribute to a sense of inclusion and reduce feelings of isolation.”

The findings also suggest a societal shift over the last 80 years: left-handedness appears to be more accepted today than in the past, and is no longer associated with the same negative or stigmatized beliefs as it once was.

“These films are culturally iconic, widely recognized, and meaningful to many audiences, which makes them a relevant context for this type of analysis,” Propper says.

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The showcase features 13 presentations spanning the humanities, social sciences, communication, education and business. Projects examine issues such as equity and inclusion, economic inequality, human trafficking, and community well-being, alongside interdisciplinary work in media, culture, and religion. Presentations also highlight collaborations that use data analysis, advocacy, and community engagement to better understand and respond to complex social challenges.

Each project highlights how interdisciplinary collaboration fosters new insights, community partnerships, and real-world impact. From community-engaged research to program design and creative pedagogy, the presentations demonstrate how scholars and students expand the boundaries of traditional disciplines to address complex challenges.

The Interdisciplinary Showcase invites colleagues from across the university to explore ideas, connect with peers, and spark new collaborations that advance �鶹��ý����’s mission of inclusive innovation.

The showcase features 13 presentations spanning the humanities, social sciences, education, business, and STEM. Projects include accessible audio description for Spanish-speaking audiences, digital mapping of climate justice, narrative medicine collaborations, sustainability internships, multilingual literacy initiatives, and Indigenous-centered approaches to education and justice.

Each project highlights how interdisciplinary collaboration fosters new insights, community partnerships, and real-world impact. From community-engaged research to program design and creative pedagogy, the presentations demonstrate how scholars and students are expanding the boundaries of traditional disciplines to address complex challenges.

The Interdisciplinary Showcase invites colleagues from across the university to explore ideas, connect with peers, and spark new collaborations that advance �鶹��ý����’s mission of inclusive innovation.

Light refreshments will be served.

The project is an excellent match between faculty expertise and the needs of the state: ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of children and families across New Jersey.

“We’re honored to be trusted with this work,” said Zeitlin. “We see this not just as a two-year project, but the beginning of a long-term collaboration to improve the lives of children and families across New Jersey.”

Supporting a Historic Transition in NJ Child Welfare Oversight

In 2006, New Jersey’s child welfare system came under federal oversight following widespread concerns about its performance. Over the next several years, the state made sweeping changes and improvements under the guidance of a federal monitor. When federal oversight ended, stakeholders created a legislative plan to maintain and build on those gains.

In 2022, state legislation charged the Staffing and Oversight Review Subcommittee (SORS) with producing annual performance reports on the child welfare system’s effectiveness in key areas — a responsibility now supported by �鶹��ý����’s expert faculty.

“I am very proud of our faculty,” said CHSS Dean Fatma Mili. “They are investing their research expertise on some of the most important issues, the welfare of the most vulnerable members of our society. Their work has long lasting lessons and an immediate impact on our society. Professors Zeitlin, Douglas, and Shpiegel are a great example of how a public university can serve the public good.”

Faculty Expertise, National Context

Drawing on deep knowledge of national child welfare trends and access to federal data sets, �鶹��ý����’s team will contextualize New Jersey’s progress within a broader national landscape. Their work will include replicating and refining previous analyses, enhancing data storytelling, and helping SORS produce reports that are not only technically rigorous but also accessible and meaningful to stakeholders across the system.

“This work is not just about data — it’s about making sure the data tells the story of what is happening right now, and what is needed to best support children and families who come in contact with the child welfare system,” says Shpiegel.

In year two, the project will expand to incorporate additional indicators and responsibilities outlined in state legislation, with the goal of building a long-term evaluation structure that supports ongoing system improvement.

A Transformative Opportunity for Students and the State

The project also creates rare hands-on opportunities for �鶹��ý���� students, who will gain exposure to the policy, evaluation, and systems-level challenges facing New Jersey’s child welfare agencies.

“Working directly with faculty on this project, our students will learn how research and evaluation can serve communities and drive real-world change,” says Douglas.

Dr. Besen-Cassino tells Newsweek that technology like zoom and email are such an accessible way to work that it makes employees feel they must contribute, even on days off. Additionally,  employees often utilize their paid time off for childcare due to a lack of affordable options. “Therefore many workers are not recharging on these days, but rather performing caregiving,” she says.

A change in mentality is clearly needed. Dr. Besen-Cassino told Newsweek. “It’s important to create a culture where taking a vacation is normalized and encouraged so that workers can fully recharge. Shifting workplace culture can ensure workers can take vacations and are healthier and more productive in the long run.”

One company making a shift is Bolt. Under the leadership of CEO Ryan Breslow, a change from Unlimited Paid Time Off to a mandated four weeks of paid vacation time ensures that employees are taking time to rest while not having to worry about changes. “Just shifting the structure alone is not enough: the culture in the workplace shapes how we apply rules and regulations,” Dr. Besen-Cassino tells MSN.

Written by Vivvy Gundani

Juveniles facing life enter prison at young ages. Years later upon release, they reconnect with the family who last saw them as kids. “They’re sort of treated as children as opposed to grown men and that can lead to some disconnect. It can lead to frustration,” said Dr. Daftary-Kapur.

In some corrections systems, education and rehabilitation aren’t priorities for people serving life sentences, said Dr. Daftary-Kapur. Lack of access to these supportive programs makes adjusting to regular life more difficult.

Written by Vivvy Gundani

“Solitary or room confinement for children, and even adults, for long, sustained periods of time can lead to depression, it can lead to anxiety,” says Daftary-Kapur.  She explains that young people are at a heightened risk for these mental health issues due to their developmental vulnerability.

Written by Vivvy Gundani

Professor Kang gave a keynote for Women in Science at the KSEA Northeast Regional Conference, giving a presentation on “Bridging Science and Community: A Korean-American Scholar’s Vision for Innovation and Impact in Neurodiversity Research”.

Written by: Vivek Gundani