2023-2024 A&S Student Symposium
In Changing, We Stay
Hannah Zaheer, ’25, a philosophy, politics, economics, and law program (PPEL) major with minors in dance and health studies, choreographed a dance piece titled In Changing, We Stay, mentored by Alicia Díaz, associate professor of dance. The piece is based on research regarding conceptions of the self and self-understanding, which intertwines the philosophy aspect of Zaheer’s academic major and passion for dance. The choreographic process included collaboration with a costume design mentor and student lighting designer to create the design elements for the piece’s performance. The photo is by Ethan Swift.
Understanding ADHD with Machine Learning Models
"Understanding ADHD with Machine Learning Models: a novel approach to detecting ADHD behaviors through app usage data" is an effort to explore the feasibility of predicting attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in college-age students using smartphone app usage data. Majoring in computer science and mathematics, Kritim K. Rijal, ’25, worked under the mentorship of Dr. Shweta Ware, assistant professor of computer science, and in collaboration with Dr. Laura Knouse, professor of psychology. Data collected from a research study, SASSEMA, was analyzed to find a correlation between the ADHD state of participants and their digital behaviors, and a family of machine-learning models was constructed for ADHD prediction.
Displacement through Transportation and Speculation in Richmond, Virginia
Mentored by Patricia Herrera, professor of theatre and dance, Liam Keenan, ’24, a theatre arts major, explored Richmond’s transportation history and the associated racial and economic inequalities in "Displacement through Transportation and Speculation in Richmond, Virginia." Keenan asserts that displacement is a form of transportation in Richmond, born from the City’s role as the slave trading capital of the Upper South. Streetcars enabled white flight to suburbs, while buses became related to marginalized groups, segregating communities and reinforcing hierarchies. Suburban expansion further divided Richmond and restricted access to transportation and economic opportunities.