The fourth annual issue of the Seattle University Undergraduate Research Journal (SUURJ) was launched on Friday, June 4, with an online gathering. The journal is now available here.

SUURJ was developed to highlight the research achievements of Seattle University undergraduate students through a peer-reviewed online publication. It is also designed to provide an editorial apprenticeship experience for students through a credit-bearing program that trains students to share stewardship of the journal. Research includes any original quantitative or qualitative work that a student has conducted during their academic studies. This includes theoretical works, policy analyses, research-based editorial pieces, Core writing, and other modes.

Student Editors

• Ella Campbell, a second-year student at Seattle University double majoring in English Creative Writing and Spanish with a Writing Studies minor;
• Hatcher Chapman, graduating in June with a major in sociology and a minor in LGBT studies;
• Helen Hills, a second-year marketing student planning to acquire a Writing Studies minor;
• Erin Kiuttu, a second-year Psychology major with a minor in Writing Studies;
• Annika Le, a third-year student at Seattle University, majoring in Creative Writing and minoring in Writing Studies;
• Ciara Murphy, a senior at Seattle University, graduating in 2020 with a BA in English for Creative Writing;
• Michael Pazen, a third-year student majoring in English Literature and minoring in Writing Studies;
• Delaney Ryburn, graduating in June of 2020 with a BS in Sport and Exercise Science;
• Allie Schiele, a fourth-year Political Science and Criminal Justice major graduating in Spring 2020.
• Elena Selthun, a junior at Seattle University double majoring in English Literature and Humanities; and
• Ryan Thelin, a fourth-year student graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing with Departmental Honors and a minor in Business Administration.

2020 SUURJ Content

Core and University Honors Writing

• “The Relationship Between White Supremacy and Capitalism: A Socioeconomic Study on Embeddedness in the Market and Society, “by Cara Nguyen, a fourth-year student pursuing a BA in Economics, and minors in Sociology and Philosophy.

Short Communications

• “Anthropogenic Debris in the Puget Sound: Review, Methods, and Analysis,” by Koryna Boudinot, who graduated with a degree in Biology, and Diana DiMarco, a fourth-year student graduating in 2020 with a BS in Marine and Conservation Biology.
• “The Threat of Climate Change on Alpine Birds and their Habitats,” by Leticia Santillana Fernandez, who graduated in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine and Conservation Biology.

Full-Length Research Articles

• “Identity and Social Support: LGBTQIA+ Individuals and Help Seeking Behaviors,” by Erin Alberts, who graduated in 2019 with a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Theology and Religious Studies, and Natasha Rohrsetzer, who graduated with a BA in Psychology in 2019.
• “’Do You Feel Better Now?’: Reclaiming Holocaust Narratives and Delegating Responsibility in Spiegelman’s Maus,” by Elizabeth Ayers, a recent graduate who studied English, Writing Studies, and briefly, Biology.
• “Framing the Center: Belize and Panamá within the Central American Imagined Community,” by Isabeau Belisle Dempsey, who graduated in 2019 with a degree in International Studies and Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies.
• “The Rise of Neo-Nationalism and the Front National in France,” by Austin Nelson, who earned her degree in French and Honors International Studies in 2019.
• “Interrogating Colonial Legacies: Jeffrey Gibson’s Indigenous Futurism,” by Mariah Ribeiro, who graduated 2019 with her BA in Art History.
• “Learning from the Failures and Institutionalized Ideology of Colonial Feminist Education Programs in Afghanistan,” by Elena Selthun, a junior double majoring in English Literature and Humanities.
• “Diversity and Disability: Why Disability Services Syllabi Statements Hurt Inclusivity,” by Tracy Spencer, graduating in 2020 with a MA in teaching with a specialization in Elementary Education.

Journal design is by Caleb Hou, Digital Design, ‘14. He designed the logo, brand, and visual aesthetics of SUURJ after joining the team in Fall Quarter of 2017.

Hannah Tracy, PhD, Senior Instructor in English, and Tara Roth, MA, Senior Instructor in English, served as Chief Faculty Editors for this year’s issue.

Faculty content editors include Ken Allan, PhD: Onur Bakiner, PhD; Serena Cosgrove, PhD; Kristin Hultgren, PhD; June Johnson Bube, PhD; Mark Jordan, PhD; Erik Olsen, PhD; Christopher A. Paul, PhD; Nova Robinson, PhD; and Michael J. Spinetta, PhD.

The Faculty Advisory Board includes Marc A. Cohen, PhD; Serena Cosgrove, PhD; June Johnson Bube, PhD; Rochelle Lundy JD, MLIS; and Steven Klee, PhD.

The Journal’s Founding Chief Faculty Editor is Molly Clark Hillard, PhD, an Associate Professor, English.

The Founding Student Editorial Team included Taylor Martino, Julia McGee, Hannah Rips, Chloe Traynor, and Anya Vindla.

SUURJ is a joint project of the College of Arts and Sciences, the English Department, the Office of Sponsored Research Programs, and the office of the Provost. The online journal is published annually, in May of each year.