The purpose of this sabbatical leave project is to explore the role of children’s literature as the impetus for helping children to both think critically about pressing environmental issues and feel empowered and efficacious to work collectively towards change. It will be implemented in a suburban second grade classroom, whose principal has afforded her approval. Data collected will include a pre-post survey, transcriptions, writing samples, and digital pictures and videos. Data analysis will evaluate children’s awareness and views towards environmental issues as well as their self-efficacy to promote change. Results of the study will be published and presented at local and national conferences as well as shared with local school districts. Results will also be woven into relevant college courses.

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This proposal is based upon my recently submitted Fulbright application, and as such, has two core components. The first is to conduct research in Serbia and throughout the Balkans, following up on the main line of questioning that motivated my dissertation field work in Bosnia and my work since that time. The second component of the award is for teaching public administration and policy in Serbia to graduate M.P.A. students.
Research in Serbia will complement and update my previous work into the relationships among development assistance organizations in the region, and allow expansion into other areas of related interests highlighted during similar summer trips in the past.

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My research focuses on the visualization of spirituality in the contemporary art of Third- world nations. A one year sabbatic leave will enable me to bring my work on Cuba to fruition in a traveling exhibition and publication, for which I have a contract. It will also allow me to research the art of India, after a related residency fellowship. The work done during this educational leave will contribute to scholarship on contemporary art in Third-world nations, educate thousands about Cuban art, bring publicity to my work and CSU, and provide images and resources to students about Cuba and India.

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Sabbatic leave for the academic year 2008-2009 would allow me to complete most of a book-length work tentatively titled The Disney Mystique: Reproduction of Mothering in Film Adaptations of Children’s Literature, and at least two publishable essays derived from it. In addition to materials available through local resources (ECSU, UConn, Disney’s Internet archives), I wish to conduct research in the unpublished primary sources held by the Walt Disney Archives in Buena Vista, California. The Disney Mystique takes an original approach that will fill gaps in Disney Studies, Women’s Studies, and American Studies, enhancing my scholarly reputation as well as my pedagogy.

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The aim of this research is to identify the impact of ways of mixing soft systems
methodology (SSM) with the work system method (WSM) for improvements in the
communication within a software development team and with its clients. The work
will involve theory building and real world case studies of its applications. This
project will allow the integration of those methodologies in teaching Systems
Analysis and Design in the BIS program, contributing to its distinctiveness. The
proposed research is an important development in one of the major knowledge areas
in IT linked to improving software development productivity.

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Nanette Tummers, Ph.D., Health and Physical Education

This semester long sabbatical leave request proposes to develop and implement ECSU student
run stress management service projects for the Willimantic Public Schools. This is a critical
need because never before in education have educators had deal with the breadth and depth of
mental health problems and stress in their students. Previous work includes service projects for
ECSU students in the Willimantic Schools and community. This leave will benefit the ECSU by
promoting community engagement thus supporting the University’s Strategic Initiatives and
specifically by empowering ECSU students with ownership of meaningful and needed projects,
building leadership and mentoring skills, and an opportunity for stewardship.

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