The artifact of alcoholic beverages contains a profoundly vast array of facets to articulate. This paper aims to make the critical interventions necessary to realize the manifestations of alcohol use and its interpretations, in terms of identity, occur because of historic contexts embedded in our culture. By examining the symbolism and stereotypes of the Irish immigrant in America, the identity struggles and ideologies surrounding alcohol can be understood through the rhetoric of social groups.

Humboldt Social Work Alumni experience unique challenges and exhibit particular strengths as a virtue of the unique focus of the Program and the context of the rural & Indigenous communities served. I assessed how alumni’s sustainability in the field might be bolstered, and how their education impacted their practice/values. I facilitated a focus group of graduating Master’s students and an online survey open to all alumni, and translated the data into recommendations. I used Indigenous MMR, combining quantitative data, thematic analysis, & relational epistemology. I recommend the creation of a decentralized alumni organization, drawing from other postcolonial-education-focused alumni orgs.

A study was undertaken at the Arcata Marsh to determine how various anthropogenic disturbances affected waterfowl within ponds that have publicly accessible trails surrounding them. The disturbance types observed included walkers, walkers with dogs, bikers, and runners. A bird would be considered disturbed if it stopped its previous behavior to move away from a disturbance or become vigilant and observe the disturbance. The distance between the disturbance and the bird was then recorded to determine if a certain type of disturbance caused a disruption of behavior at further or closer distances. The type of waterfowl was recorded to determine if there was any difference in species or niche.

This poster will look at the history of illegal cannabis cultivation within the Yurok Reservation boundaries. This poster will include the impacts to the tribal communities and their dependence on the water resources used in maintaining cannabis farming, the impact on natural and cultural resources and the current tribal stance on cannabis cultivation.

This study researches how urbanization affects the spatial and temporal behavior of mesocarnivore species in the small city of Arcata, California. Specifically, the study tests whether different levels of urban development influence spatio-temporal interactions and the co-occurrence (or lack thereof) of two or more mesocarnivore species, and how habitat characteristics mediate these effects. By analyzing the correlation between habitat features and co-detection events, this research aims to shed light on the dynamics of mesocarnivore coexistence in urban and rural environments, and inform strategies to mitigate the impacts of urbanization on wildlife.

At the intersection of anthropology and development, this project explores the efficacy of Participatory Action Research (PAR) through a case study of the Educational Development Center (EDC) and their Basa, Pilipinas! project. PAR utilizes ethnographic methods and emphasizes the importance of collaboration with developers and the community they wish to serve. This is a response to the critiques of educational Development as a method of perpetuating the legacy of colonialism by implanting Western epistemology from imperialist nations into developing countries. While PAR is an attempt to decolonize Development, it is not without critique itself.

Making up around 33% of Humboldt State’s demographics, Hispanic or Latino identifying students share a lack of representation for P.O.C in the community. The Latinx Center for Academic Excellence works to navigate pathways to success for students while at the same time respecting their cultural and historical trajectory. Through the center I have used the technique of surveying and analysis to help strengthen the fostering of power for students with multi-dimensional identities by identifying how the center can enhance their approach of building community, facilitating events, workshops, mentorship programs, and free services for students.

Due to Humboldt County’s geographical location, it is uniquely isolated from the rest of the country. This isolation can make recruiting new athletes for the College of the Redwoods Cross Country and Track and Field teams difficult. This research project will investigate which factors in Humboldt County lead to difficulty in recruiting, in the hope of gaining a better understanding of this area. My goal is to study and analyze what aspects of the area may impact the recruitment and retention of Track and Field athletes at CR.

The Newtonian gravitational constant, G, is one of the oldest known fundamental constants in nature, and yet it is known with the least precision of all other fundamental constants. The research group at IUPUI, in collaboration with Cal Poly Humboldt, will use multiple approaches within a singular torsion pendulum apparatus to precisely determine G. Specifically, measurements will be made using the angular acceleration feedback and time of swing methods in the same apparatus, which was carefully designed for reduced error in both techniques. We expect to obtain a measurement at the 2 ppm level using these new methods.

The biocultural approach to anthropology recognizes that one cannot fully discuss human biology without a discussion of human culture as well, and vice-versa. The socially complex topic of breastfeeding is a perfect example of the intersection between biology and culture; while breastfeeding is a biological process, it has been observed cross-culturally that the way it is practiced and if it is practiced at all, is highly dependent on the culture where the mother belongs. Through this ethnography, an anthropological investigation of the unique culture of Humboldt County will be undertaken to understand if and how a positive cultural atmosphere is created for local breastfeeding mothers.