Big Idea Challenge Wrap-Up

Well-Being Across the Lifespan: Early Childhood Experience and Opportunities in Oklahoma

Constance Chapple, an associate professor of sociology in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, presented the results of her team’s project, “Well-Being Across the Lifespan: Early Childhood Experience and Opportunities in Oklahoma.”

This project constructed and executed a statewide survey of over 1,500 Oklahomans aged 18-65 about adverse childhood experiences, mental health, substance abuse and more. They also conducted focus groups, brainwave analysis research, social exclusion research, and town hall meetings at five rural sites across the state. Their group has since received $3 million in extramural funding, has five manuscripts under review or in progress, mentored eight students, developed six related projects and two new collaborations.

Carbon-free H2 Energy Production and Storage

Dimitrios Papavassiliou, professor and director of the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, presented the results of his team’s project, “Carbon-free H2 Energy Production and Storage,” also known as CHEPS.

During their project, the CHEPS team focused on the ability to produce energy in a green, sustainable way. Their research focused on breaking methane into carbon, which can be used in interesting ways, and hydrogen, which produces steam instead of carbon gases when burned. The teaming resulted in several new researcher positions hired, multiple workshops and events held, including the Hydrogen Weekend, and the receipt of approximately $9 million in sponsored research grants.

Enhancing Future Community Sustainability via Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring

Binbin Weng, an assistant professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, presented the results of his team’s project, “Enhancing Future Community Sustainability via Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring,” also known as X-GEM.

Their project focused on the greenhouse gas emission-induced climate action problem. During their convergent research, they integrated sensor technology development, weather modeling integration, risk assessment and sustainable community design to form a cyber social security system. They have received more than $11 million in external funding, contributed more than 20 whitepapers and proposals, made more than 20 networking and stakeholder connections and produced 16 publications and presentations.

Social Media and the Visual Politics of Policing Communities of Color

Sherri Irvin, a professor of philosophy in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences, presented the results of the project, “Social Media and the Visual Politics of Policing Communities of Color.” However, after a shift in team members and research focus, their project became “Social Media, Racialized Policing, and Social Movements.”

During their project, Irvin’s team examined social media data and made comparisons between online and in-person activism in Hong Kong and the United States, and between Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter. They are also organizing an online conference titled “Social Media, Race, and Community Knowledge Practices” to be held Oct. 23-24, 2023. Several publications, both in the United States and in Korea, are also in progress.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships will launch the Big Idea Challenge 2.0 with a call for proposals to be announced this semester.