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MAP Academy’s 2024-25 Methodology Applications Series begins Oct. 4

The MAP Academy’s 2024-25 Methodology Application Series: Supporting and Leveraging Robust Research Data Systems kicks off Oct. 4 with a presentation by Lorey Wheeler, MAP Academy director.

The presentation, titled “Developing a Strong Research Data Infrastructure,” will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall, Room 312. Full Article

MAP Academy opens call for 2024-25 ‘Catalyst’ proposals

Applied Analytics & Data Infrastructure Catalyst Call for Proposals

A new funding opportunity is available to support faculty engaged in field-based human subjects research.

The MAP Academy invites interdisciplinary faculty across all campuses to submit proposals for the Applied Analytics and Data Infrastructure (AADI) Catalyst Program — an initiative to support the rigor of high-quality, field-based human research at the University of Nebraska. The program launched last fiscal year and is made possible through a grant from the Nebraska Research Initiative. Full Article

Project examines public perceptions on poverty’s causes, solutions

Jamy Rentschler, MAP Academy postdoctoral fellow, is researching people’s changing perception of poverty and government assistance to the poor.

Public opinion toward poverty in the United States — and financial assistance from the government — is divided.

According to research, many Americans support federal spending on assistance to the poor, but not federal spending on welfare.

To better understand this disparity, a pilot project led by Jamy Rentschler, MAP Academy postdoctoral fellow, and Brandi Woodell, UNL graduate and current Assistant Professor at Old Dominion University, are exploring how people determine a person’s deservingness of receiving financial assistance, and the types of assistance they view as acceptable. Full Article

Cross-campus collaboration helps sharpen focus on teacher shortages, job satisfaction

Aprille Phillips, associate professor of educational administration at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, is exploring teacher job satisfaction and retention in rural Nebraska in a project funded by the Nebraska Department of Education. (Photo courtesy of Ana Salazar, UNK videographer and multimedia specialist).

Last fall, more than 900 teacher positions in Nebraska were either vacant or filled by underqualified personnel, according to the Nebraska Department of Education.

With so many vacancies, school districts are forced to compete for candidates from a relatively small pool — something that can have long-term negative effects on rural Nebraska communities. Full Article

MAP Academy helps researchers see big picture of rural adolescent nutrition insecurity

Extension educator Natalie Sehi is leading a team of researchers focused on adolescent nutrition insecurity.

Making sure rural youth have enough to eat is important for both their health and education. Attending school with an empty stomach affects a student’s ability to focus and learn, making proper nutrition essential for academic success.

Nebraska Extension educators Beth Nacke and Natalie Sehi are leading research focused on adolescent nutrition insecurity. They recently worked with the MAP Academy to create a database to analyze the nutritional and economic impact of Nebraska Extension’s statewide Monthly Meal Kit program. Full Article

Project examines ways to foster future leaders in rural communities

Lindsay Hastings, Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is leading a project to build a leadership development system to sustain rural communities for the future.

As the makeup of American communities changes in coming years to grapple with impending transfers of wealth and leadership, sustainability of rural communities is a priority.

Lindsay Hastings, Clifton Professor in Mentoring Research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, has recently worked with her team — Justine Bircher, Mary Emery and Jordan Rasmussen — on a project to build leadership development systems to sustain rural communities for the future. Full Article

Video available for MAP Academy presentation featuring Yingying Wang

Yingying Wang, associate professor of special education and communication disorders, and director of UNL’s Neuroimaging for Language, Literacy and Learning (NL3) Lab, discusses neuroimaging technology during her Spring 2024 Methodology Applications Series presentation May 3 at the Nebraska Union.

Yingying Wang, associate professor of special education and communication disorders, and director of UNL’s Neuroimaging for Language, Literacy and Learning (NL3) Lab, led the Spring 2024 Methodology Applications Series presentation May 3.

Video is now available of Wang’s presentation, “Capturing Life in Motion: Leveraging Wearable Technology for Human Subjects Research.” Full Article

MAP Academy selects three faculty to receive ‘Catalyst’ awards

The Nebraska Academy for Methodology, Analytics and Psychometrics (MAP Academy) is awarding $5,000 through a competitive funding opportunity created to address the increased need to enhance the rigor of field-based human subjects research at the University of Nebraska. These awards were made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Research Initiative. Full Article