ScholarWorks@Georgia State University
Recent Submissions
Publication Open Access Acoustic-Gravity Waves as a Probe of the Dynamics of the Solar Atmosphere(2026-06-01)Acoustic-gravity waves, generated at the base of the solar photosphere, offer excellent diagnostic potential of the solar atmosphere. By observing these waves at multiple heights and modeling their propagation through different atmospheric layers, we can infer key physical properties of the atmosphere. This approach enables estimation of quantities such as the sound speed, radiative cooling time, and the height separation between observing layers. These properties are important toward our understanding of the temperature structure of the solar atmosphere and energy deposition in the solar chromosphere. In this work, we demonstrate an improved modeling of cross-spectral phase difference in the solar atmosphere that takes into account wave reflection near the plasma beta~1 region in the lower chromosphere. Furthermore, we extend the modeling technique from surface-resolved observations of the Sun to disk-integrated observations of the Sun. As a proof of concept, we estimate atmospheric properties from disk-integrated data, demonstrating the potential for application to distant stars. We also identify signatures of unexpected atmospheric gravity waves in disk-integrated observations, possibly originating near the solar limb, and incorporate cross-power, convection, and trapped acoustic p-mode signals into the cross-spectral modeling framework.Publication Embargo Start a Business or Seek a Job? Decision-Making and Challenges Among Refugees in Metro Atlanta(2026-06-08)This research examines how refugees in Metro Atlanta navigate the economic decision of whether to start a business or seek a job, highlighting the structural and personal factors that shape their livelihood strategies. Using an ethnographic approach, the study draws on participant observation and semi structured interviews conducted with refugee women involved in a local non-profit organization. These methods provided insight into the everyday experiences, challenges, and aspirations that inform refugees’ employment choices. By foregrounding refugees’ lived experiences, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of economic integration and the complex realities of making a living as refugees in the United States, specifically in Metro Atlanta.Publication Open Access Belonging, Boundaries, and Zionist Dominance: Identity in the American Jewish Community(2026)This study examines how mechanisms of boundary enforcement within Jewish communities shape the belonging of Jews who grapple with Zionism. Drawing on Joel Migdal’s framework of communities of belonging, boundaries, checkpoints, and mental maps, this study conceptualizes Zionism as a normative boundary that structures acceptable expressions of dissent. Using qualitative interviews, the study explores how individuals who experience tension with Zionism encounter social and institutional responses that enforce intragroup boundaries of dissent and belonging. The analysis traces how variation in boundary-enforcement impacts identity and expression, producing outcomes including conformity, silence, or alternative articulations of Jewish belonging. By investigating experiences across a spectrum of positions on Zionism rather than only overt dissent against Zionism, the study demonstrates how broadly ideological dominance regulates belonging. The findings contribute to scholarship on Jewish diaspora politics and broader theories of intragroup regulation by exploring how belonging is actively maintained through practices of enforcement and identity negotiation.Publication Open Access A Rendition of Indigenous Archaeology: The Simmons Site, Tobacco Pipes, and NAGPRA(2026)The Erie are considered an ‘extinct’ or ‘dispersed’ Northern Iroquoian group that previously resided on the Niagara Frontier, a small portion of what researchers termed “Iroquoia”. The Erie are not entirely understood, and the Seneca Nation has assumed stewardship over their cultural materials. With the new revisions of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in 2024, archaeology as a whole must grapple with these changes and reevaluate the discipline. I propose that Indigenous Archaeologies would aid in bridging the gap between archaeologists and Indigenous communities in light of the new regulations.Publication Open Access The BMBC Cemetery Project: Community Archaeology in a Rural African American Cemetery(2026)Cemeteries serve as sacred spaces for honoring the deceased and preserving cultural heritage. However, many cemeteries, particularly those of historically oppressed groups, face neglect and degradation. This paper explores the restoration efforts of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Mountain, Georgia, as a case study in mortuary and community archaeology. Through collaborative efforts between the church, local community members, and Georgia State University, the cemetery's "lost" section was rediscovered and mapped. The study investigates the dynamics of community archaeology in rural settings, emphasizing reciprocal engagement, multivocality, and ethical considerations. It addresses challenges such as limited resources and time constraints inherent in student-led projects and discusses strategies to address these concerns for future projects. Furthermore, this thesis explores the role of power dynamics within archaeological investigations of African American cemeteries as well as how cemetery investigations relate to public archaeology. Ultimately, the project aims to create a comprehensive record of the Bethany Missionary Baptist Church cemetery while fostering meaningful community engagement and helping preserve marginalized histories.
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