2024 Monson Prize Awardee

Pablo Cruz-Ayala (Prof. John Erickson)

NON-OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECT MATTER DEPENDENT VISUAL STIMULUS IN ARTWORK: INVESTIGATING ACCESSIBLE ART THERAPIES FOR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

This study investigates the impact of art-based interventions on heart rate variability (HRV) and emotional regulation among undocumented immigrant populations. Utilizing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, objective and non-objective artworks were presented in a public gallery setting. Pulse oximetry wearable devices were employed for HRV analysis. Results show a statistically significant improvement in HRV among participants exposed to immigrant subject matter-based artwork, suggesting the potential of art-based therapies for emotional regulation. Despite limitations in sample size and ethnic diversity, these findings contribute to the literature on art therapy.

2023 Monson Prize Awardee

Malea Bauer (Prof. Amos Guiora)
SILENCE IS VIOLENCE: A NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR THE CRIMINALIZATION OF THE ENABLER TO INSTITUTIONAL ABUSE

For centuries, institutions have exploited their power to abuse the vulnerable and avoid culpability. In many cases, the abuse would not have been possible if not for the institutional underpinnings which protect the perpetrators. These people, who initiate cover ups or turn a blind eye, ought to be considered enablers. Enablers are as endemic a problem as perpetrators. This thesis advocates for establishing a federal duty to protect between members of institutions and the victims of institutional abuse. The proposed legislation defines an institutional duty to protect and criminalizes the actions or inactions of enablers that can be directly linked to continued abuse of the victims.

2022 Monson Prize Awardee

Kassie John (Prof. Elpitha Tsoutsounakis)
DINÉ BIZAAD LANGUAGE CUBES: EXAMINING THE REFORMATION OF INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE PRESERVATION

Language is key to understanding cultural values and imperative sustaining a community’s cultural identity. Diné Bizaad Language Cubes explore ways to redesign how the Diné language is taught and preserved for my Diné. This design research project was an opportunity to ‘protect’ my Indigeneity (ways I identify as an Indigenous person) and to help ‘contain’ the Diné language for future generations to come. Diné Bizaad Sound Cubes is a tool for Diné youth and their communities to initiate their own “play” while aiding in the development of initial phonemes with Diné Bizaad pronunciation, reclaiming our pre-colonial ways of language acquisition through oral teachings.

2021 Monson Prize Awardee

Cloe Butler (Prof. Ana Antunes)
"IDENTITY: BY KIDS, FOR KIDS" A STUDENT-CENTERED ZINE

My research tackles the inequities that immigrants and refugees face with accessing information about sexuality. I compiled personal definitions of sexuality topics and artwork from the kids at Sunnyvale Neighborhood Center into a Zine to be printed and distributed to the kids, SNC, and local libraries. Not only does the Zine include concepts explained by the kids themselves, but it prompts the youth to look further into sexuality topics. This project is a collaborative effort between the students and myself to produce a piece of work that will be shared with their peers. It will expand the knowledge around sexuality to kids that are not part of our program and incite social justice.

Jamie Goetz (Prof. Jeff Rose)
NATIONAL PARKS, A STORY OF COLONIZATION AND OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LAND

National Parks are commonly positioned as the peak of "wilderness" conservation. However, they fail to acknowledge their violent histories of colonialism and imperialism on Indigneous peoples. Consequently, western models of land management and conservation are based upon principles of colonialism, capitalism, imperialism, and patriarchy, rather than place-based frameworks that are characteristic of Indigenous worldviews. This research concludes by presenting National Parks as central in Indigenous efforts toward decolonizing the settler, capitalistic views of environmental conservation and contemporary land management through actionable decolonial measures.

2020 Monson Prize Awardee

Hanna Thistle (Prof. Rebecca Utz)
INTERTWINING BIOMEDICAL & BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTHCARE MODELS TO MINDFULLY ACHIEVE OVERALL WELLBEING

"A sociocultural approach to addressing the rising stress and anxiety levels involves shifting current attitudes towards mental health. Just because mental health is invisible to the human eye does not mean it contributes any less to one's overall health and wellbeing than physical health does. Instead of mental health being an uncomfortable and largely avoided topic of conversation, it should be widely normalized, encouraged and prioritized just as much just as much P.E. classes and gym outings prioritize physical health. The educational system could make a major sociocultural impact on future generations of kids equipping them with healthy behavior skills that can be used as lifelong tools."

Rachel Coy (Prof. Shane Macfarlan)
WAR RITUAL IN SMALL SCALE SOCIETIES: POTENTIAL TREATMENT FOR VETERANS WITH PTSD

"The results of this research may have long-term implications on both psychiatric treatment options for veterans with PTSD and the policies and procedures for reintegrating military personnel back into civilian life. Additionally, by increasing our understanding of mental illness it helps to destigmatize these conditions. The study of how mental illness is acknowledged and treated in non-western cultures could provide a novel approach to our understanding of mental health problems."

2019

Jasmine Robinson (Prof. David Derezotes)
The Black Perspective: Historical and Structural Violence to the Black Community

Rebecca Higham (Prof. Akiko Kamimura)
Stress Management Classes for Uninsured Free Clinic Patients in the United States

2018

Rebeca Gonzalez-Rocha (Prof. Cheryl Wright)
Supporting immigrant families through their involvement in early childhood education

2017

Kai Sin (Prof. Akiko Kamimura)
Health, health literacy and healthcare utilization among Muslim women in Utah

2016

Kyle Criddle (Prof. Leslie Francis)
Feasibility of the Lake Powell Pipeline Development Act and Proposed Water Conservation Alternatives

2015

Colette Ankenman (Prof. Marissa Diener)
Understanding youth educational and occupational goals in after school programs

2014

David X. Elwell
Osmotic power generation using natural salinity gradient in Great Salt Lake

2013

Madeleine Oritt
Accessibility to HIV/AIDS medications in resource-limited countries

2012

Laurel L. Baeder
WWW.ENGL.ISH: The effect of internationalized domain names on web content and design

Esther Kim
Recreational re-creating: A cultural critique of the 50^th anniversary of the Freedom Rides

2011

Leonel Nieto (Prof. Julie Stewart)

2010

Susan Akok (Prof. Kim Korinek)
Are there barriers to basic prenatal care in refugee communities? A case study of Sudanese women in Salt Lake City