AACC Publishes Research Journal

May 8, 2023

Anne Arundel Community College recently celebrated the release of the second edition of the Journal of Emerging Scholarship, a collection of undergraduate research by AACC students from disciplines across the college, including biology, environmental science, media, economics and sociology. Papers in the journal include:

• “Effectiveness of System Without Soil” by Emily Archer and Biology Professor Paul Bushmann, Ph.D.
• “US Military Propaganda in Film and Television” by Charlie Smith and English and Transfer Studies Assistant Professor Darius Cureton, Ph.D.
• “Tracking Horseshoe Populations with DNA Barcoding” by Emily Ernst, Physical Science Laboratory Assistant Jason Burkholder and Director of the AACC Environmental Center Director and Biology Professor Tammy Domanski, Ph.D.
• “Horseshoe Crab Aquaculture as a Model to Study Behaviors and Population Stability” by Margaret Nester, Owen Keys, 2022-2023 Chesapeake Conservation Corps member, and AACC Environmental Center Director and Biology Professor Tammy Domanski, Ph.D.
• “Consultation Centers: Bridging Information Gap Between Policy Makers and the Public” by Jasur Cosby and Economics Professor Uzma Qureshi, Ph.D.

“The goal of the journal is to provide an opportunity for peer-reviewed publication of undergraduate student research,” President Dawn Lindsay said during the release event. “This multidisciplinary approach helps students develop critical skills in scientific inquiry.”

Students could work with their faculty mentors on existing projects or new topics, but they were intimately involved with the process and the final papers were their own. Each article in the journal was peer reviewed by an editorial board of AACC faculty and staff. Archer joined  Bushmann to continue his aquaponics research in the AACC Environmental Center.

“I've never done something cooler at this school than working on an actual research project,” Archer said. “I'm in there doing the work, I'm raising the fish, I'm measuring everything. … I've never done something like this in my life before.”

The cover of the journal features a digital illustration titled "Emergencia: Princesa de las Flores" by visual arts student Lillian Putnam. Putnam said she wanted to highlight the passion of women in STEM and women in the workforce with her art.

The journal’s first edition was published in 2022.

“Anne Arundel Community College is a leader college in many ways,” School of Science, Technology and Education Dean Lance Bowen, Ph.D., said during the event. “The Journal of Emerging Scholarship … is yet another example of the commitment and dedication of our faculty and staff and of the students in their efforts to come here to learn.”

The journal is available upon request.