Ohio State students’ innovative research receives spotlight

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Ohio State students' innovative research receives spotlight

EHE Research Forum, Legacy Lecture highlight collaboration across disciplines

Students showcased research in a variety of subjects across disciplines at The Ohio State University's College of Education and Human Ecology (EHE) Research Forum and Legacy Lecture. The event was held recently at the Ohio Union.

"Today has been around centering and celebrating our students and the work that they do with our faculty and staff to advance their scholarship," said EHE Interim Dean Erik Porfeli. "It's about the future of our disciplines as reflected in the great work of our students and the support they receive from our distinguished faculty and great staff."

In his keynote address, Porfeli spoke about the importance of forming connections with colleagues to foster a collaborative atmosphere and advance research projects.

"Ultimately, it's relationships that are the most important," he said. "You can certainly have a very impactful research agenda, but if it's devoid of the human dimension, I would encourage you to do something more, go beyond that."

Throughout the event, students presented research in oral presentations and poster displays. Alicyn Dickman, a graduate fellow in the nutrition program, researched methods to improve the safety of commercial meal kits and prevent foodborne illnesses.

"We have collected a series of recipes and assembled a really large recipe database," she said. "One of the most effective and simple food safety interventions is hand washing."

Dickman's research found recommendations for hand washing are seldom included in meal kits' instructions.

"We thought we would analyze that," she said, "and then use that information to provide recommendations for the industry."

Ashley Simon, a fashion and retail studies major who has worked in the retail industry, conducted research into consumer brand loyalty related to blue jeans.

"A lot of times in retail companies when we make decisions, they're not always with a deep understanding of what the customer values," she said. "An item that typically has a high degree of emotional attachment, like your favorite pair of jeans, really was the genesis of my idea."

Simon surveyed consumers about their favorite jeans, from affordability to wearability.

"What was interesting is the early findings really show it's about quality," Simon said. "In the willingness to pay and [emotional] attachment, quality was the number one trait that created a difference."

During the Legacy Lecture, Porfeli led a conversation with Earl Harrison, professor emeritus in the Department of Human Sciences, and Patti Lather, professor emerita in the Department of Educational Studies.

Harrison and Lather offered advice to researchers on how to advance in their fields. Harrison said researchers should learn as much as they can about each aspect of their disciplines and collaborate with colleagues who can help broaden their knowledge.

"Whatever your niche is, try to get good at maybe the next [level] up and the next one down and then cultivate colleagues and collaboratives … because you're not going to ever be good at everything," he said. "If you need [to reach] a level that you yourself are not good at, make sure you identify people who are, and then try to emulate them or have them teach you."

Lather advised researchers to explore interdisciplinary research, which can expand one's overall knowledge base.

"You don't have to do every discipline, but what you have to do is more than one," she said. "Generally speaking, pick three. … Track how the ideas travel the same or differently across those three and then see what you've got."

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