The Research Prizes in Practical Ethics for Undergraduates are awarded in a competitive process. These research prizes are intended to stimulate ethical reflection in undergraduate education, reward highly motivated students, and facilitate innovative projects across the disciplines.

They enable students to develop close mentoring relationships with IU faculty and take advantage of the input and expertise of the Poynter Center community. The program, which began in 2005-06, is funded by the Poynter Center. 

 

2012-13 Research Prizes

The Poynter Center is pleased to announce that we received a record number of outstanding submissions this year, and have selected six winning proposals. Each student will be awarded a cash prize of $200 upon giving a presentation of their work at the Poynter Center during the Spring semester.

Fred I. Diego, Junior, Cognitive Science, "Illegal or Undocumented? Why Labels Matter." Diego spoke about his research into the language that has been used to oppose immigration over the last century. He is shown with his mentor, Aide Acosta, from American Studies.

 

 

Kathryn Grossman, Senior, English, "Malice and Morality: How Shakespeare Redefines Evil." Grossman studied Macbeth, Othello, and Hamlet to consider how Shakespeare presented evil in the three plays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leah Kirts, Senior, English, "Queer Veganism: The Intersection Between Gay and Animal Rights in 20th and 21st Century American Culture" Kirts considered the importance of the dinner table to family and studied ways the traditional views are difficult for gays and for vegetarian/vegans. She studied advertisements and the way ads promote masculinity and eating meat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stefan Sokolowski, Senior, Political Science, "Moderation and Polarization in Modern Political Rhetoric." Sokolowski examined rhetoric and polization of public positions in recent years. He also noted the tendency to conflate complicated ideas such as affordbale health care into a word or phrase, such as "Obamacare."

 

 

 

Allison Vollmer, Senior, Psychological and Brain Sciences, “Perceived Humor Should Depend on Moral Sensitivity.” Vollmer, a standup comic herself, conducted studies to help determine what people find funny and why.

 

 

 

 

 

Kylie Yoder, Senior, Sociology, “Prenatal Care Across Social Classes.” Yoder, shown with her advisor, Donna Eder, studied the pre-natal care women receive in varying social classes. In Bloomington, Yoder found the gap is less pronounced because of the existence of Bloomington Area Birth Services, which provides services for free or on a sliding scale.

 

 

 

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