Faculty Research In Action

Stephanie Lanza, director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center (PRC), and Courtney Whetzel, project manager in the PRC, discuss the Penn State CORE (College Relationships and Experiences) project. CORE was designed to take the pulse of Penn State undergrads across the commonwealth, examining health behaviors, mental health, engagement in Penn State activities, food insecurity, and more. Learn how they’ve shifted their research to assess the immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of Penn State undergraduates. Stephanie and Courtney also discuss their next study designed to provide critical insights into University Park students’ anxiety, health behavior, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors in daily life during this unusual time of a pandemic.  

Jennie Noll, professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Director of the Child Maltreatment Solutions Network answers the following questions: 

• What are the unique struggles that maltreated children face and what are the best avenues for recovery?
• What does universal child abuse prevention look like?
• How does the science of child maltreatment change practice and influence policy?  

The hectic pace of modern life can make it challenging for couples to find time to discuss, coordinate, and problem solve with each other around parenting. But according to Mark Feinberg, research professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, parents who work together to coordinate and support each other around childrearing can expect to see tremendous benefits both for themselves and their children. Feinberg studies how parents who collaborate effectively can create happier and healthier families—even in stressful periods like the current pandemic. He shares a framework for understanding parenting teamwork, discusses the results of research evaluating a program supporting parenting teamwork, and describes how some small changes in the ways parents communicate can result in fewer conflicts and more positive feelings for parents and children alike. 

National Parks are more popular than ever, and visitors seek these national treasures for the positive benefits they receive from recreating in these pristine places. But, as visitation has increased, so has the amount of impact to the natural resources in these parks. Research from our Penn State team has informed visitor management in a manner that protects the natural resources and maximizes the benefits visitors receive through experiences in these special places. Derrick Taff, assistant professor of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, discusses his research, which has spanned the U.S., in parks from Georgia to Alaska, and this talk highlights how our research aids in protecting human and ecological well-being in our national treasures. 

Communication is essential to everything we do: education, employment, healthcare, and, most importantly, our relationships with others. Yet more than 5 million Americans—and 97 million people worldwide—face significant challenges in communication. As a result, these individuals (e.g., children with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and other disabilities) are severely limited in all aspects of their lives. Janice Light, professor of communication sciences and disorders and the Hintz Family Endowed Chair in Children’s Communicative Competence, discusses the many ways that Penn State is transforming the lives of these children through research and technology development. With access to effective augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies and interventions, these children have the tools to unlock their full potential.