At Saint Anselm College, research is a critical part in professors’ roles in every discipline. Whether it is in the lab, the library, the archives, or traveling the country, professors contribute to and engage in new developments in their field. Their work ranges from cancer research in the laboratory to studying the technology of emergency response systems to examining language barriers to teaching, to uncovering trends in the latest election cycle, or historical research about a New Hampshire regiment’s role in the Civil War.
“Perhaps most important, though, for Saint Anselm College: our faculty can invite their students into the research process, as our professors serve as mentors to our undergraduates, many of whom go on to graduate school themselves. This, then, is one of the most lasting impacts on faculty research—the opportunity to train our Saint Anselm students as future researchers themselves,” said Dean Mark Cronin.
The Annual Celebration of Research & Scholarship is just one of the ways professors are recognized, congratulated, and celebrated for their work at Saint Anselm College during the calendar year. This past year, the 9th annual event highlighted 65 professors with over 90 published works which were on display in the Geisel Library’s DeCiccio Reading Room. During the celebration, Professors Dianna Terrell, Ph.D., and Diana Sherman Ph.D., Alexander Smith, Ph.D., and Ahida Pilarski, Ph.D., shared their published research.
Professor Dianna Terrell, Ph.D., Professor of Education, and Professor Diana Sherman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Education, presented their research “Mirror of the Mind: Eliciting Critical Reflection in Preservice and Novice Teachers.”
Building from earlier research, Professors Terrell and Sherman explored how different factors spur the highest form of reflection identified by the literature and critical reflection through a multi-method approach involving several sets of data across nine learning cases to teach specifically in preservice, teachers being guided and supported, and novice teachers.
“Given that reflection is a central practice in the work of teaching, and more broadly the field of education, research that investigates and provides insights on how to best cultivate and use reflective practice is especially useful. Knowing the strong commitment to teaching that Saint Anselm College maintains, research that informs reflective practice is both informative and valuable,” said Professor Diana Sherman.
With his interests in quantum descriptions of spacetime, quantum field theory on curved spacetimes, and new tests of fundamental physics, Professor Smith presented his research, “Relational Quantum Dynamics: New Tests of Fundamental Physics and Mathematical Foundations.” Professor Smith, Assistant Professor of Physics, took an information-theoretic approach that pushed quantum theory and general relativity to their extremes into an arena where they confronted one another, hoping to uncover new insights into nature.
Professor Pilarski, Professor of Theology, presented her research titled, “What Do Prophets Have to Say About Poisoned Water?’’
Related Links
More about the celebration →
Student Research Opportunities on Campus →
Bird Song Research →