For doctoral student Ashley Ippolito, the future of communication sciences and disorders isn’t just found in a clinic. It’s also written in code.

Driven by her research on children’s language development, Ippolito developed ScriptToolKit, a language analysis program designed to bridge the gap between technical programming and clinical care. Her work highlights a powerful interdisciplinary intersection, demonstrating how custom software can reduce time spent on manual analysis, allowing researchers to focus more on the children, fulfilling Ippolito’s primary goal: research with definable real-world impact.

Her passion lies in working with student-generated classroom data to build tools that address real needs in research and practice. By analyzing a corpus of children’s writing samples, she has made key connections about how students understand word structure, formation and meaning.

Ippolito is also committed to ensuring the field evolves alongside her. By integrating her research directly into her practice, she is supporting fellow students in the School of Communication Science and Disorders through new learning modules for coding and data analysis. Beyond the university, she works as a speech-language pathologist in a neighboring school district, applying her findings to support children’s language development.

Why did you choose Florida State University?

I chose to attend FSU because it felt like a place where I could grow in more than one direction at once. I wanted a program that took research seriously, valued applied community work and encouraged students to build things that don’t exist yet. FSU offered strong mentorship, access to meaningful data and the freedom to design projects.

What really stood out to me was how supported student-led ideas are here. From faculty who treat students like collaborators, to funding opportunities and interdisciplinary spaces, FSU has given me room to take risks, build tools and pursue work that matters.

What academic achievements have you accomplished at FSU?

One of my most meaningful academic accomplishments at FSU has been developing ScriptToolKit, a platform that includes ScriptSense, ScriptPrep and ScriptGuide. It helps speech-language pathologists, educators and researchers analyze language samples more efficiently and equitably.

Another significant academic project has been my work on written language development and morphological complexity using large-scale datasets. I have been involved in cleaning, analyzing and interpreting a corpus of children’s writing samples to better understand how morphological knowledge appears in student writing.

How have you impacted your community?

Beyond the classroom, one of my most meaningful contributions has been my clinical and community-based work with preschool-aged children and families in a neighboring school district. I conduct evaluations, provide intervention, and collaborate with teachers and families to support children’s early language development.

I have also taken on leadership and mentorship roles with undergraduate and graduate students at FSU, particularly research assistants. I design training materials, workflows and coding systems that help students develop real research skills while contributing meaningfully to ongoing projects.

Together, this work contributes to FSU and Tallahassee by strengthening community partnerships, supporting early childhood development and creating pathways for students to engage in applied, socially meaningful research.

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Two students in Florida State University’s Forensics Program were recently named worldwide champions after competing at the International Forensics Association tournament, which took place March 8-12 in Athens, Greece.

FSU students Harleigh Demchak, a junior studying economics, and Zoey Rotenberry, a senior studying political science, won first place at the 36th Annual International Forensics Association Speech and Debate Tournament and Conference under the guidance of Avery Henry, program director and teaching faculty II in the College of Communication and Information. 

“This win fills me with pride because it is evidence of the hard work and dedication the team has put in this season,” Henry said. “In addition, it affords FSU the ability to market ourselves as international debate champions. We are the best in the world at NPDA (National Parliamentary Debate Association) style debate.” 

Forensics, a term taken from Aristotle’s classification of the types of rhetoric, is a type of judicial rhetoric with the aim of persuading a judge. Modern competitive forensics builds on this Aristotelian art by usingevidence, logic and persuasive speech to win a judge’s ballot. 

The FSU Forensics Program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to develop their communication skills through participation in one of two nationally competitive traveling squads: the speech or debate team. Students travel several weekends each semester to intercollegiate speech or debate tournaments where they can compete against fellow students and receive feedback from members of the academic community.   

“Being part of the FSU Forensics Team has solidified my decision to pursue a career in law,” Demchak said. “Participating in critical debates and engaging with complex concepts has deepened my appreciation for argumentation and research. “Overall, the experience has strengthened both my passion for the activity and my long-term academic and professional goals.” 

Throughout this season, members of the Forensics Program traveled to cities such as Portland, Las Vegas, Dallas and Nashville, in addition to competing internationally in Greece. This year the program will compete in a total of 14 domestic and international competitions. These experiences allow students to engage with peers from across the world while gaining cultural exposure. 

“Competitive forensics gives students the opportunity to travel all over, compete against some of the brightest minds, and gain cultural experiences that are not available when you are just learning in the classroom,” Henry said. 

The International Forensics Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and expanding speech and debate on a global scale. It supports students and programs by creating opportunities for international competition, collaboration and cultural exchange. Every year the International Forensics Association hosts a tournament in alternating geographic locations. In addition to competing, students are given opportunities to engage in educational and cultural activities in the host country.  

While in Athens, the team explored iconic landmarks and immersed themselves in Greece’s rich educational and intellectual history. In addition to competing, they toured sites such as the Acropolis, the Agoraand Pnyx Hill, which are widely recognized as the origins of speech and debate in the Western world. 

“The actual debate tournament and topics revolved around Greek history or Greek policy, so being able to go and absorb the culture and learn more about the history of Greece was pivotal to our success for debate rounds,” Rotenberry said. “Being able to immerse myself in the modern and ancient world of Greece was a formative and surreal experience that I will be forever grateful for.” 

Between competitions, members engage in rigorous preparation, meeting twice a week to refine valuable skills in critical thinking, public speaking and persuasive communication. Students spend months researching and debating complex global issues including nuclear policy, artificial intelligence and environmental exploration, developing a deep understanding of a range of contemporary topics. 

“Being a part of the FSU debate team has forever changed my academic goals, depth of knowledge, and even changed me as a person,” Rotenberry said. “Before joining the FSU debate team, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do.  After joining the debate team and debating policy, I finally found direction in a career and academic sense.” 

In addition to the team’s recent success in Athens, the FSU Forensics Program earned top honors at the Florida Intercollegiate Forensics Association State Championship this year, bringing home both the first place Limited Entry Sweepstakes and first place Overall Debate Sweepstakes trophies.  

“Students in competitive forensics have to gain a fluency to understanding topic areas, collecting research to be used as evidence, and then publicly test their arguments against some of the smartest students from schools all across the nation or in some cases the world,” Henry said. 

The Forensics Program’s competitive season runs from September through mid-April. The program maintains an open-door policy, welcoming students of all degrees and experience levels to get involved. Those interested in joining can reach out to team director Avery Henry or attend a team meeting, held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in UCC 4415.  

To learn more about the College of Communication and Information, visit their website at cci.fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s global footprint, visit the FSU Global website.  

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Florida State University recognized graduate student achievement and leadership at the Celebration of Graduate Student Excellence, sponsored by The Graduate School and the Congress of Graduate Students, on April 6 at the FSU Alumni Center.

The celebration honored graduate students who have earned external fellowships and grants and those who have excelled in teaching, mentorship, leadership, participation in public discourse, and research and creative activity. Faculty mentors were also recognized for their work with graduate students.

“Florida State has attracted some of the top graduate students from Florida, from around the United States and from around the world,” said Steve McDowell, interim dean of The Graduate School. “Graduate students are central to undertaking FSU’s important missions of education, research and creative inquiry, and service.”

So far during the 2025-2026 academic year, FSU graduate students have won 135 national fellowships and grants, higher than last year’s near record of 131. That number is expected to grow and includes recognition and funding from the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Fulbright Program, the Florida Legislative and Gubernatorial Fellows programs and the McCain Global Leaders Program.

“Graduate funding opportunities are competitive by nature, and so it is a testament to the strength of FSU’s graduate programs and, most importantly, our graduate students, to have this number of externally funded students in a year,” said Keith McCall, assistant director of the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Awards.

The event kicked off Graduate-Professional Student Appreciation Week, a national observance FSU celebrates with a series of events focused on recognition, professional development, wellness and community connection.

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National AI Literacy Day is observed annually to educate individuals on navigating a world immersed in artificial intelligence. Held on March 27 this year, the day promotes ways in which humans, including educators, can embrace the technology and better prepare for its impact.

According to the adaptive learning company HMH, research is showing many educators are growing comfortable using AI, but few feel confident teaching students how to use it responsibly. The company’s Educator Confidence Report from 2025 shows 68% of educator respondents said AI saves them one to five hours per week, allowing more time for student connection and engagement.

Florida State University’s Paul Marty is Professor in the School of Information in the College of Communication and Information and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Innovation. He works to coordinate, communicate and facilitate efforts among campus stakeholders to foster an environment that encourages and supports academic innovation at FSU. Marty serves as one of the university’s top experts in AI.

While AI’s impact on various industries remains to be seen, Marty emphasizes that human skills remain as important as ever.

“There are naturally a lot of worries right now about how artificial intelligence is going to reshape the workforce, universities and modern society,” Marty said. “You’ll hear people ask, ‘Why go to school, why study something new, why bother learning anything at all if AI already knows everything?’ In that environment, I think it’s important for us to remember that, for all its impressive capabilities, all AI can do is remix what humans already know how to do. When push comes to shove, what sets humans apart from AI is our creativity, our passion and our capacity to imagine new things. And that’s why our humanity, our curiosity and our ability to learn is so important.”

Media interested in gaining insight into AI literacy and understanding how universities like FSU are working with the technology may reach out to Paul Marty at marty@fsu.edu.

Paul Marty, associate vice provost for academic innovation, Florida State University

What is the value of human skills like critical thinking in an AI-driven world?

The most important skill our students need in an AI-driven world is their humanity. I tell our students all the time that what matters most – and what employers actually want – is their communication skills, their people skills, their management skills, their leadership skills, their empathy, their humanity, their ability to learn how to learn, and their ability to share what they’ve learned with other human beings in a way that inspires everyone to move forward and make the world a better place. If we don’t keep learning, we don’t move forward. If all we do is teach what we already know, then the world doesn’t move forward. Only by being open to learning new things are we able to innovate, to embrace risk, to grow, to improve; and in a world where artificial intelligence is ubiquitous, it’s our humanity that is going to make the difference.  

What’s the future of undergraduate education in the age of AI?

 If you talk with faculty at any university about undergraduate students and artificial intelligence for any length of time, the topic of cheating will inevitably come up. And when that happens, I usually try to turn that conversation around. Instead of worrying about cheating, I’ll say, try asking your students to tell you about the classes that they are not cheating in, and why they aren’t cheating in those classes. If you do that, what you’ll hear is a description of the university of the future – one where students are engaged in the material they are learning, and where they are not just learning things, but learning how to apply the things they’ve learned in new ways to define problems and develop solutions that will move humanity forward. In my opinion, the purpose of higher education should be to give our students those exact opportunities, both in and out of the classroom. Here at FSU, for example, we offer classes in Design Thinking and sponsor extracurricular events like Design Sprints where we provide our students with unique and incredibly valuable opportunities to work closely with industry, university and community partners, and apply what they are learning in the classroom to design innovative solutions to real-world, challenging problems. The more we can offer our students those kinds of experiences, the more we can let everyone know that our institutions are committed to the future of student success in a changing world, and that we are empowering our faculty, our staff and our students to thrive in that future.

 How are universities adapting to teaching and learning in the age of AI?

When it comes to artificial intelligence and higher education, many institutions are reacting from a place of fear, and that makes perfect sense. Change is hard. Innovation is disruptive, and universities worldwide are facing a future that threatens to overwhelm them with transformational change. The way people react when new technologies are introduced into their social systems is quite naturally from a place of fear. So here at FSU, we’re working with our faculty, staff and students to take us from a culture of fear to a culture of innovation. This is not easy, but it is an opportunity for us to think carefully about the purpose of higher education, and to determine whether our assessments are actually measuring what we think they are measuring, whether the things we are asking our students to do are actually worth doing and whether the things our students are learning are actually the things they should be learning. Those are not easy questions to answer, but by answering those questions, we can present a clear vision, with compelling stories and a positive message about why higher education still matters in our changing world. And by doing that, we can empower our institutions to proactively adopt disruptive innovations, respond effectively to radical change and shape the future of teaching and learning. 

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From promoting the impact of cutting-edge research to celebrating student success, podcasts at Florida State University have become a staple for sharing information for the FSU community. They offer an accessible medium for digital storytelling, amplifying the voices of students, staff and faculty. 

FSU colleges and departments host a variety of podcasts pulling stories and experts from across the university. The diverse range of podcasts means that there is something for every listener to tune into, whether they are a student, staff member or alumni. Here are a few examples of the FSU podcasts available:

Nole Edge  

The College of Arts and Sciences produces “Nole Edge,” connecting listeners with the stories of students, faculty, alumni and researchers whose work is changing the way we view the world. 

Host Amy Walden, the college’s assistant director of visual and social media, has explored topics such as what happens in the human brain during sleep and how that protects against Alzheimer’s disease, the ethics of moral injury, FSU’s immersive language houses and more. Now in its fourth season, episodes are available on the college’s YouTube channel. 

“Nole Edge” has created a unique space to share the stories and perspectives of the outstanding researchers, faculty, students and world-renowned lecturers that make Florida State such a special place,” Walden said. “Because the FSU College of Arts and Sciences is home to the natural sciences and humanities, every topic and conversation on the podcast is a new adventure. We strive for our listeners, no matter their area of interest or level of expertise, to walk away from each episode with fresh knowledge.” 

InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast  

“The InNOLEvation® Mindset Podcast” with host Mark McNees from the FSU Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship highlights student and alumni entrepreneurs and innovators from FSU. 

Guests include the next generation of young business leaders sharing what they’re learning as they build companies from the ground up, FSU faculty with key insights into entrepreneurship, and alumni making their mark. “InNOLEvation Mindset” can be found on the website for FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship and is also available on YouTube. 

 “InNOLEvation® Mindset started as a way to give FSU’s entrepreneurs a platform, but it has evolved into something bigger,” McNees said. “We’re now having conversations with energy finance leaders, sustainability innovators and business founders whose work is reshaping entire industries. The podcast gives the Jim Moran College a front-row seat to those conversations, and our listeners, whether they’re students, executives, or policymakers, walk away with insights they can actually use.” 

Coach Talk  

“Coach Talk” was created by Timothy Baghurst, director of the FSU Center for Athletic Coaching. Each episode connects the classroom with the field, featuring guests from the sports industry, including coaches, athletic directors, team owners and more. Episodes of “Coach Talk” can be found streaming online on platforms such as Spotify.   

 “Listeners gain a deeper understanding of coaching practices, decision-making and the realities of working in sports, drawing practical, evidence-based lessons from the show,” Baghurst said. “‘Coach Talk’ offers an inside perspective on the knowledge and experiences that shape sports today.” 

More FSU podcasts 

There is a podcast for every listener, each one exploring another facet of the FSU community. 

The College of Medicine produces “Faculty Forward” to provide insight, strategies and professional advice to medical school and health sciences faculty. Each episode features experts and educators from FSU, focusing on topics for faculty success in the classroom and the clinic. Episodes of “Faculty Forward” can be found on the website for FSU’s College of Medicine.   

“FSU COMMversation” is a student-run podcast highlighting students, professors and alumni from FSU’s School of Communication in the College of Communication and Information. Each episode highlights the accomplishments of its guests, which allows other students, professors, and alumni to stay informed and connected with the communications world. “FSU COMMversation” can be found on all streaming platforms online.   

“Seminole Sports” is hosted by Jeff Culhane, the director of broadcasting for the Seminole Sports Network. Culhane is joined by Seminole coaches and players as he breaks down current news and events in FSU sports. Listeners can tune into “Seminole Sports” from the Seminole Boosters website.  

“Connect with VP Amy Hecht” dives into new topics about programs and opportunities at FSU. Vice President for Student Affairs Amy Hecht highlights a new guest in each episode and discusses frequently asked questions from students, parents and future Seminoles. Listeners can find episodes of “Connect with VP Amy Hecht” on FSU’s website for the Division of Student Affairs.

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Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects approximately 3 million Americans and 70 million people worldwide. While repetition of sounds and syllables are most often heard, the bigger burden for some with the speech impediment is its psychological impact.

At the recent 2026 NFL Combine, accomplished wide receiver prospect KC Concepcion spoke through his speech impediment during media interviews. Criticized by some social media users, he was also overwhelmingly praised and used his platform to address his stutter and serve as an advocate for those living with the disorder.

Christopher Constantino is an associate professor at the Florida State University School of Communication Science and Disorders in the College of Communication and Information. He studies how the lived experience of stuttering interacts with culture and society, and researches ways to improve the social experiences of stuttering. Constantino has appeared in several interviews and podcasts on the topic.

He notes that the common individual who stutters often deals with judgement from others, but these situations can be managed over time.

“There is a great deal of stigma around stuttering,” Constantino said. “In addition to the physical experience of getting stuck, people who stutter are contending with the judgement of others. Discrimination is very common. It is no wonder people who stutter try to avoid stuttering. To stutter openly and easily, speakers must learn to manage this societal prejudice. Advocacy is, therefore, just as important to the therapy process as learning how to speak differently.”

Media interested in speaking with Constantino on how stuttering interacts with culture and society can contact him via email at cconstantino@fsu.edu.

Christopher Constantino, associate professor, School of Communication Science and Disorders

Stuttering affects approximately 3 million Americans, according to the Stuttering Foundation. What are some of the social and emotional challenges individuals might face with this disorder?

Stuttering is a neurological condition that affects speech fluency, which is the ability to effortlessly move from one speech sound to the next. People who stutter experience a sense of being stuck on a sound, what is often described as a “loss of control.” When this happens, the speaker often intuitively reacts to this feeling of being stuck by fighting with it or by trying to avoid it. Unfortunately, fighting with the moment leads to a great deal of struggle and effort while speaking. Avoidance leads to restricting what is said and self-censorship. Both make speaking physically hard and attention demanding.

There are many prominent individuals who have been in the limelight and do plenty of public speaking with a stutter. What advice or suggestions do you have for individuals with a stutter who might fear public speaking?

Counterintuitively, the path out of struggle and avoidance is acceptance. The more a speaker lets their stutters happen, the easier they will be. This is, of course, much easier said than done and is why the guidance of a good speech-language therapist can be so helpful. Generally, the more your audience expects you to stutter, the easier it is to let yourself stutter. Therefore, I always recommend disclosing your stutter in high pressure situations. Something like, “I am a person who stutters, you might hear me repeat or stretch some sounds while I speak.”

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This week, Florida State University will bring together experts on artificial intelligence and machine learning to explore the role of agentic AI — a type of AI that performs tasks and adapts to change with little human intervention — across industries including medicine, finance, education and more.

The 2026 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Expo, AIMLX26, is set for Friday, Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee, 200 S. Duval Street. The two-day event is presented by the FSU Interdisciplinary Data Science Master’s Degree Program.

On Friday, industry professionals and researchers from FSU’s Department of Computer Science, the FSU School of Information, OpenAI, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Florida and Premera Blue Cross will present on topics ranging from the engineering of AI systems to their applications.

“The theme of this year’s event is agentic AI with a focus on how intelligent, autonomous and collaborative AI systems are reshaping research, industry and society,” said Zhe He, director of the Institute for Successful Longevity at FSU and a professor in the School of Information. “The program will explore topics such as multi-agent systems, large language model–based agents, decentralized and agentic web architectures, AI for scientific discovery, and real-world deployments in domains like health care, finance and enterprise systems.”

He, who is also affiliated with the Department of Computer Science, Department of Statistics, and the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine in the College of Medicine, will present the lecture “Developing a Multi-Agent AI System for Explaining Lab Results to Older Adults.” This work is supported by a recent grant from the National Institute on Aging’s Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories for Aging Research and aims to help older Americans better understand how to use AI and other emerging technologies to better manage and act upon their health data.

He’s presentation will include his team’s work on LabGenie, a patient-and-caregiver facing application that is designed to improve health outcomes for consumers.

“The system is designed to translate complex laboratory data into patient-friendly, actionable insights that support better engagement, shared decision making, and improved health literacy and outcomes,” He said.

This year’s keynote speaker, Sherwin Wu, is a member of technical staff at OpenAI and leads engineering for the OpenAI Platform. His keynote address on Friday, “Slowly, and Then All At Once: A survey of AI agents over the last three years and a glimpse into the next three years,” will discuss industry trends since ChatGPT’s launch in 2022 and the current and future landscape of AI capabilities.

On Saturday, the Challenger Learning Center will host the local K-12 community for additional FSU faculty lectures as well as a series of interactive activities — the first event of its kind in AIMLX series history. Activities include learning about robotics, color coding magnets, basic programming, car challenges, binary number bracelet crafts and more that allow learners of all ages to participate.

“We’re highlighting the connection between what goes on at FSU on the scientific level and day-to-day applications of AI tools,” said Gordon Erlebacher, IDS program director and a professor in the Department of Scientific Computing, who will present Saturday on the rapid evolution of AI tools and their impact on daily life. “AI tools have so many uses that students should learn about, and the community day allows participants to directly ask FSU faculty questions about AI while providing a point of contact for the future. We hope that hearing from local experts who use these tools will make AI approachable and relatable.”

For a full schedule of presentations, events, topics, presenter details and more, visit the FSU Data Science event website.

AIMLX26 is sponsored by Florida State University, the FSU College of Arts and Sciences, the FSU College of Communication and Information, the FSU School of Information, the FSU Department of Computer Science, the FSU Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, the FSU Department of Scientific Computing, the FSU Department of Statistics, the Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee and Ruvos.

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Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information hosted the 12th annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies (SAMCS) Conference, a premier international forum for researchers, scholars and practitioners engaged in dialogue surrounding media and culture in South Asia.

The hybrid event Jan. 29 and Jan. 30 took place at The Globe Auditorium and online at the College of Communication and Information’s YouTube channel and the SAMCS YouTube channel. Attendees from around the world joined both in-person and virtually to discuss topics including contemporary challenges in journalism, cultural preservation and resilience, different demographic groups’ media engagement and identity expression through media in South Asia.

This year’s conference theme “Resilience and Renewal: Tradition, Innovation, and Media Futures in South Asia” explored the role of media and communications in preserving identity, sharing knowledge and responding to change across local, Indigenous and urban communities.

Michael R. Ogden, dean emeritus of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Zayed University in Dubai, delivered the keynote address, “Indigenous Responses to South Asia’s Climate Crisis,” that focused on Indigenous documentary, climate resilience and the role of South Asian perspectives in shaping global media futures.

An accomplished scholar, storyteller and documentary filmmaker originally from Oregon, Ogden served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji before earning a Ph.D. in political science and pursuing an academic career. His work focuses on Indigenous communities, media and long-term responsibility in the context of a changing climate.

“If we are serious about the theme of this conference — resilience and renewal, tradition, innovation and media futures in South Asia — then we owe the pathfinders a new politics of representation,” he said.  

He explained that the challenges faced by the world today really have to do with how we think about time. Through examples from South Asia, Ogden demonstrated the Seventh Generation principle, an Indigenous philosophy that says every decision made today should consider its impact on people living seven generations in the future.

“When you make a decision today, you are accountable to descendants seven generations into the future,” he said. “If we assume that one human generation is roughly 25 years, that’s a decision horizon of nearly 175 years.”  

The conference continued Friday, Jan. 30, with opening remarks from Michelle Kazmer, dean of the College of Communication and Information.

“This marks the 12th year that a group of students, faculty, alumni and friends have worked together to organize this important forum,” Kazmer said “I hope that this is a chance to learn more about South Asia, make new connections, get in touch with old friends, and to build relationships with colleagues from around the world.”  

The program consisted of four presentation panels, where speakers representing universities from around the world including countries like India, Pakistan, Belgium and Bangladesh spoke on topics ranging from media innovation in South Asia to resilience and representation. The panels are available to watch on the SAMCS YouTube channel.

Taimur Shamil, a national security and foreign policy expert from Pakistan and based in New York, delivered the closing keynote. His talk, “The Narrative Power: Mapping South Asian Think Tanks and Their Influence on Policy Formulation,” focused on how South Asian think tanks shape public debate and influence policy formation.  

“Think tanks are the architects of reality,” Shamil said.

He described South Asia as a politically complex region shaped by geography, security disputes and development challenges, and argued that think tanks help create the language and data used in public debate. During the question-and-answer portion of his talk, Shamil emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement and including multiple perspectives while acknowledging ongoing concerns about bias and how research gets translated into real policy.

“Ideas actually generate from the grassroots level, and a researcher must be connected with the people because that is where the ideas are,” he said.   

From journalism and film to digital storytelling, strategic communications and grassroots media, the conference included a range of perspectives on how tradition and innovation intersect in everyday practice.

“This annual conference brings together students, scholars and practitioners to create space for deeper understanding and long-term collaboration,” said Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives and interim dean of The Graduate School. “The conversations that happen here continue to shape research, teaching and global engagement at FSU, in South Asia, and beyond.”

McDowell, who also serves as the John H. Phipps Professor of Communication in the College of Communication and Information, planned the conference alongside a committee led by Vaibhav Diwanji, a research assistant professor at the University of Kansas and two-time alumnus of FSU’s School of Communication. Originally from India, Diwanji said he’s proud to continue offering a global platform that brings together scholars, practitioners and policymakers without any registration cost.

“As an FSU alumnus, it’s especially meaningful to see this space continue to grow as a platform for dialogue, collaboration and new ways of thinking about media and culture in South Asia” he said.

The conference was also hosted in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. Shepard Broad International Lecture Series and the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series.  

The conference also included a photo exhibit and book launch highlighting the work of Kids of Kathmandu, a nonprofit organization connected to Bhushan Dahal, a doctoral candidate from Nepal pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at the FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The photos and book document a decade of the organization’s work building schools in Nepal in partnership with local community groups.

The annual event aims to spark new ideas, conversations and scholarly collaborations through engaging presentations, discussions and shared experiences to celebrate and amplify underrepresented voices in South Asia, and beyond. The modern nations of South Asia include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  

To learn more about the College of Communication and Information at FSU, visit cci.fsu.edu. For more information about the SAMCS Conference, visit comm.cci.fsu.edu/faculty-research/south-asian-media-studies/south-asian-media-studies-conference/.   

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nia love, an associate professor in Florida State University’s School of Dance and an alumna of the university, was recognized for her work “UNDERcurrents,” a multimedia performance installation that “probes the seam between the catastrophic history of transatlantic slavery and our quotidian memories of people who have lived in this time.” 

“It is a powerful affirmation,” love said. “The awards aren’t why you do the work, but you are hoping that within the work that you do, you will be acknowledged.” 

According to The Bessie’s official announcement, love received this award “for a transporting experience, taking the audience through an immersive and sensory journey of live performance and projected visuals. Historical research and personal memories are woven together to pose questions to the audience — with urgency and compassion.” 

We are proud to celebrate nia love on the occasion of her recent Bessie Award,” said James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “nia has spent her adult life working primarily as an independent artist based in New York City, no small feat in the field of dance, and her career exemplifies a sustained, uncompromising commitment to making art. We are honored to claim her both as a distinguished member of our School of Dance faculty and as an alum whose creative practice continues to shape and challenge the field.” 

“nia has spent her adult life working primarily as an independent artist based in New York City, no small feat in the field of dance, and her career exemplifies a sustained, uncompromising commitment to making art.”

— James Frazier, dean of the College of Fine Arts

The Bessie Awards, established in 1984, are widely considered the highest honor in the independent dance field, often described by industry professionals as the “Oscars of dance.” This marks love’s third Bessie Award; she was previously recognized for Outstanding Musical Composition for love’s “g1(host):lostatsea” production in 2019. 

“UNDERcurrents” is the result of research carried out over several years, including significant projects undertaken in Tallahassee, both at the university and throughout the Panhandle and gulf regions.

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Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information will host the 12th Annual South Asian Media and Cultural Studies (SAMCS) Conference Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday, Jan. 30. 

The SAMCS conference serves as a premier international forum for researchers, scholars and practitioners engaged in dialogue surrounding media and culture in South Asia. Presenters will join the conference from around the world to speak on topics including contemporary challenges in journalism, cultural preservation and resilience, demographic media engagement, and identity through media in South Asia. 

This year’s theme “Resilience and Renewal: Tradition, Innovation, and Media Futures in South Asia” explores the role of media and communications in preserving identity, sharing knowledge and responding to change across local, Indigenous and urban communities.   

The conference will feature two keynote speakers. Michael R. Ogden, dean emeritus of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Zayed University in Dubai, will deliver the talk “Indigenous Responses to South Asia’s Climate Crisis” at 5:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan. 29, in-person at The Globe Auditorium (110 S. Woodward Ave.). Those unable to attend the lecture in person can livestream it here.    

Ogden is an accomplished teacher, filmmaker and storyteller. After serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji, Ogden earned a doctorate in political science from the University of Hawai‘i. He has held faculty and leadership roles at the University of Hawai‘i, Central Washington University and Zayed University in Dubai, where he served as Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences until his retirement last fall. 

This lecture is in collaboration with the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series and the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series. A pre-lecture reception will take place at 5 p.m.   

Taimur Shamil, president and executive director of the thinktank Policy East, will deliver the talk “The Narrative Power: Mapping South Asian Think Tanks and Their Influence on Policy Formulation” at 1:30 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 30 in-person at The Globe Auditorium, (110 S. Woodward Ave.). Those unable to attend the lecture in person can livestream it here. 

Shamil is a New York based national security and foreign policy expert from Pakistan. He holds a doctorate in International Relations with more than 15 years of service in government, academia and media.Shamil formerly hosted the prime-time program “Dialogue with Taimur Shamil” on Pakistan Television, PTV (World), where he focused on Pakistan’s foreign policy and global politics. His analyses have also appeared regularly on national and international TV Channels like Al-Jazeera, Al-Jazeera Arabic and several others. 

The conference will also include a photo exhibit and book launch highlighting the work of Kids of Kathmandu, a nonprofit organization connected to Bhushan Dahal, a doctoral candidate from Nepal pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy at the FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. The photos and book document a decade of the organization’s work building schools in Nepal in partnership with local community groups. Dahal will be at the conference in person to discuss and answer questions.  

The main conference panels will take place from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 30. All conference sessions will be livestreamed on the SAMCS YouTube channel. The opening and closing keynotes will be livestreamed from the College of Communication and Information’s YouTube channel. 

Registration for the conference is free and open to the public. To register, visit comm.cci.fsu.edu/ faculty-research/south-asian-media-studies/south-asian-media-and-cultural-studies-conference/ and scroll to the bottom. View the 2026 SAMCS Conference program.  

To learn more about the College of Communication and Information at FSU, visit cci.fsu.edu. For more information about Kids of Kathmandu, visit kidsofkathmandu.org. 

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From refugee support in Central Europe to sustainability policy in Scandinavia, Florida State University students shared research shaped by firsthand global experiences at the annual Global Scholars Showcase. 

Thirty-three undergraduates presented independent research and community-based projects Dec. 5, 2025, in the Nancy H. Marcus Great Hall, marking the culmination of a yearlong program that blends international engagement with inquiry. 

Designing an independent research project or international experience is no simple undertaking. At Florida State, the Global Scholars Program helps students turn global interests into structured, ethical research through close mentorship and academic support. 

This year’s cohort presented projects ranging from sustainability culture in Sweden and the Netherlands to Ukrainian refugee support in the Czech Republic and efforts to strengthen information technology (IT) infrastructure at mental health clinics in Peru. 

As part of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement (CRE) at FSU, the Global Scholars Program supports students in designing and carrying out independent, community-based learning opportunities. The program offers undergraduate students the unique chance to engage in experiences tailored to their specific global interests. Through internships, research, and service-learning projects, students can explore questions related to social impact, social justice and social change.  

“Global Scholars is a sort of ‘choose-your-own-adventure program,’ where students are introduced to the idea that research is something that is inherently personal, yet still grounded to academic frameworks,” said Cary Wall, associate director for global programming at the CRE. “Students design their own research in global contexts, engage directly with communities and carry projects from early ideas through public presentation.” 

The program follows a three-phase structure that supports students before, during and after their experiences.  

In the spring semester prior to departure, students enroll in a preparatory course focused on the ethics of community-based work and qualitative research methods.  

The following summer, students participate in their chosen experiences. This can include an in-person or online internship with a social-impact organization domestically or internationally, or a self-directed research project addressing a social issue in a local context.  

The final phase takes place during the fall semester, when students reflect on their work, complete capstone projects and prepare to present their findings at the Global Scholars Showcase.  

“At the heart of Global Scholars is an ethos that urges students to ask questions rather than propose solutions, and to leverage research as a tool for engaging with issues of global and collective importance,” Wall said.  

This year’s cohort conducted research in 13 countries.  

Jordyn Bain, a junior studying International Affairs and Economics, presented her project “From Arrival to Integration: The Role of NGOs in Assisting Ukrainian Refugees in Prague” at the showcase. She studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, through International Programs’ Human Rights and Social Work program.  

While there, she interviewed representatives from different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area and found that community isolation, limited career opportunities and insufficient mental health resources most hinder the long-term integration of Ukrainian refugees in Prague. 

“I’d never done a professional research project like this before, so this program really did help me learn how to go about it ethically, especially since I was dealing with people from a different culture,” she said.  

Sebastian Abril, a senior majoring in Psychology and Information Technology, presented his project “The Health, Technology, and the Passion of a Community: Modernizing Peruvian Healthcare” at the showcase. He traveled to Cusco, Peru over the summer to intern at a mental health clinic through Proyecto Peru, an organization dedicated to supporting sustainable development in the country.  

While there, he found that health care workers at the clinic were spending unnecessary amounts of time doing tasks that could be significantly expedited with digital services. He found that an increase in digital infrastructure, government policy and education could enhance the efficiency of the clinic.  

“I like research and I like traveling, and this felt like the perfect blend of the two,” Abril said. “You really can design your own research, but you always know that they (the Global Scholars Program) are right there to push you, keep you going and make sure that you’re on the right track.” 

Kaetlyn Patnaude, a junior studying Environmental Science and Urban Planning, presented her project “Allemansratten” at the showcase, which looked at environmental justice in Sweden and the Netherlands, focusing on how cultural values and citizen mindsets shape these nations’ approaches to sustainability.  

She started in Sweden, serving as a field technician at the Abisko Scientific Research Station. Located roughly 124 miles north of the Arctic Circle, the station hosts about 500 scientists annually who conduct research in ecology, biology and meteorology. Patnaude found this opportunity with the help of Jeff Chanton, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences. 

In Sweden, Patnaude conducted interviews to explore how cultural values shape relationships with nature and perspectives on paths toward sustainable cities. The phrase “Allemansratten” kept coming up, a Swedish saying meaning “every man’s right” to nature which refers to a cultural principle allowing free access to uncultivated nature. The phrase made Patnaude seek to further understand the shift from cultural concept to policy, so, she enrolled in an urban planning course at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.  

Next, Patnaude went to the Netherlands and enrolled in Delft University of Technology’s “Summer School Planning and Design for the Just City.” The program combines spatial planning, urban design and environmental technology to tackle issues of spatial justice, sustainability, climate adaptation and water management in urban transitions to sustainability.  

For Patnaude, the course helped her understand how urban planning projects in the Netherlands influence environmental governance and urban sustainability transitions.  

“I really learned a lot about communication and talking to people from different cultures,” Patnaude said. “I feel like I can talk to anyone now and approach interactions with curiosity.” 

Natalia Arroyo, who graduated with her degree in Social Work and Political Science last semester, presented her project “Bridging Communities in Tallahassee: Through Education, Refugee Support and Justice” at the showcase. Focusing on how education, refugee resettlement and legal advocacy work together to strengthen community systems, Arroyo drew from three different experiences to combine the lessons learned. 

From working with the International Rescue Committee to supporting refugees in Tallahassee to serving as an early childhood educator for underprivileged kids and helping victims of violent crimes through the State Attorney’s office, Arroyo found one common theme: that compassion in the structures of social services is key to creating lasting change.  

“Day-to-day things might be a little more difficult for other individuals,” she said. “Being empathetic and an advocate in the workforce, no matter what you decide to go into, can really make a difference.” 

For more information about the Global Scholars Program, visit cre.fsu.edu/global/globalscholars. To read the Global Scholars blogposts, visit hsfhouseblogs.fsu.edu/blog/global-scholars/.

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