Undergraduates Present Research at 2023 Summer Symposium

On August 10, 2023, Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellows presented the research projects at the University of Delaware’s (UD) fourteenth Annual Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity, held at the Patrick T. Harker Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Lab.

The fellows provided presentations to students, researchers, scholars, and creative artists across campus. The fellows​ are under the supervision of professional staff members and faculty from the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) and Center for Community Research and Service (CCRS). The following students worked with IPA for 10 weeks during the summer.

Ella Dietz, a mathematics and economics major, working under the supervision of Sean O’Neill, presented “Workforce Housing Options for Delaware – A Case Study Analysis.” Ella’s research focused on identifying housing systems around the United States to help support the planning process of a workforce housing village, especially for essential workers like teachers.

Lexi Haws, a public policy major, presented “Trends, Issues, and Policy Consideration for Infrastructure and the Aging Population In Delaware.” Lexi’s work was supervised by Julia O’Hanlon. This presentation described pressing trends, critical issues, and policy considerations for the increasing population of aging citizens and expanding infrastructure challenges in Delaware.

Alexis Oppong, majoring in public policy, worked under the guidance of Fran O’Malley and presented “Making Room for Me in Your Curriculum.” Alexis worked alongside O’Malley, Scott Abbott, Lisa Moreland Allred, and peers within the Biden School concerning the Delaware 7th-grade civics curriculum, while also helping to create and edit new lesson plans. Throughout her fellowship, Alexis worked with 7th-grade civics teachers across the state, compiling information to develop over 25 lesson plans with an emphasis on Black History in accordance with Delaware's House Bill 198.​

Gianna Richason, a human services and organizational and community leadership major, presented “Data and Resource Tracking to Support the Delaware Food Resources Connection.” Gianna’s supervisor was Julia O’Hanlon. Gianna’s summer project supported IPA’s partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy. She updated databases that track the location of local food resources, such as food pantries, grocery stores, and farmers’ markets.

Samiyah Sherman, a public policy and political science major, presented “Student Food Pantry Inquiry and Recommendation.” Samiyah’s supervisors were Valdese West and Joy Jordan. She conducted research on food insecurity for college students and identified how university campuses can directly address these issues.

The Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellows Program began in 2011, and over 115 students have conducted summer research with Biden School faculty and staff.​​ The summer symposium is organized by UD’s Undergraduate Research Program.​