Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

Focal Point projects announced by Grad College

The Graduate College has announced eight projects that will receive funding for 2009-2010 through its new initiative, Focal Point.

The goal of the initiative is to advance knowledge in areas of critical national and human need. Of particular interest are new collaborations that explore what disparate fields of scholarship have in common.

The projects:

  • “Global Patterns of Sustainable Consumption,” co-organizers: Sasha Cuerda, a graduate student in geography; Zsuzsa Gille, a professor of sociology; Diana Mincyte, a visiting professor of advertising; and Grant Shoffstall, a graduate student in sociology.
  • “InfoStructure: Intersections Between Social and Technological Systems,” co-organizers: Matthew Crain, a graduate student in the Institute of Communications Research; Karrie Karahalios, a professor of computer science; Aimee Rickman, a graduate student in human and community development; Christian Sandvig, a professor of communication and Coordinated Science Laboratory faculty member; and Shinjoung Yeo, a graduate student in library and information science.
  • “Incarceration in America: Exploring Carceral Landscapes,” co-organizers: Patrick Berry, a graduate student in English; Rebecca Ginsburg, a professor of landscape architecture; Rob Scott, a graduate student in landscape architecture; and William Sullivan, a professor of landscape architecture.
  • “Investigating Civic Entrepreneurship for Global Sustainability,” co-organizers: Ingbert Floyd, a graduate student in library and information science; Susan Frankenberg, museum studies program coordinator; Eric Green, a graduate student in natural resources and environmental sciences; Glenn Hoetker, a professor of business administration; Poonam Jusrut, a graduate student in geography; Cindy Kehoe, director for information and research services in the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the College of Business; Gil Mendoza, a professor of natural resources and environmental sciences; and Madhu Viswanathan, a professor of business administration.
  • “Law and Society in China (1800s-present),” co-organizers: Shao Dan, a professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures; Jin Gong, a graduate student in EALC; Andrew Morriss, a professor of law; and Xue Ying, law student.
  • “Social Interaction and Communicative Competence: Integrating Theory and Clinical Practice,” co-organizers: Laura DeThorne a professor of speech and hearing science; Joshua Hailpern, a graduate student in computer science; Julie A. Hengst, a professor of speech and hearing science; and Dalphne Ray, a graduate student in special education.
  • “Science, Technology and Security: New Institutions to Manage Global Security in the 21st Century,” co-organizers: Colin Flint, a professor of geography and the director of the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament and International Security; Matthew Rosenstein, associate director of ACDIS; and Richell Bernazzoli, Steven Radil and Sang-Hyun Chi, graduate students in geography; Todd Robinson and Shweta Moorhy, graduate students in political science.
  • “Race and Campus Climate at the University of Illinois Research Seminar,” co-organizers: Stacy Harwood, a professor of urban and regional planning; Ruby Mendenhall, a professor of sociology and of Afro-American studies; and Jioni Lewis and Melvin Armstrong, graduate students in educational psychology.


This article was imported from a previous version of the News Bureau website. Please email news@illinois.edu to report missing photos and/or photo credits.

Read Next

Earth and Environmental Sciences Researcher portrait standing in front of graphics from study

Researchers advance first-of-its-kind AI tool for translating life-saving weather warnings across the US

A new study led by Joseph Trujillo-Falcón documents how artificial intelligence is used to translate life-saving weather forecasts and alerts into non-English languages.

Arts Photo of a group of violinists from Apollo's Fire standing and playing onstage.

Krannert Center announces performers for 2026-27 season

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ 2026-27 season features a variety of performers, including jazz and classical music, theater and dance.

Life Sciences Research News Veterinary Medicine Photo of researchers in the laboratory. They are standing in front of dozens of fish tanks.

One simple trick makes zebrafish a better model for microbiome research

A new advance in animal husbandry involving a popular aquarium fish should speed the pace of microbiome research, scientists report.

Strategic Communications and Marketing News Bureau

507 E. Green St
MC-426
Champaign, IL 61820

Email: stratcom@illinois.edu

Phone (217) 333-5010