University of Maryland Research

University of Maryland Research Roundup: Grand Challenges Special Edition?? This week's Research Roundup is a special edition focused on our Grand Challenges Projects! The Grand Challenges Grants Program is the largest and most comprehensive of its type ever introduced at the University of Maryland, supporting projects that address emerging societal issues, including climate change, social injustice, global health, and education disparities. Check out what our Grantees have been up to: go.umd.edu/gcroundup Don't forget to subscribe by giving us a follow or joining our mailing list at https://eepurl.com/gfgT6z Grand Challenges Grant support projects throughout the university: University of Maryland - A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland - Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland School of Public Policy, University of Maryland School of Public Health, University of Maryland - College of Arts and Humanities, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, Philip Merrill College of Journalism - University of Maryland, Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation, University of Maryland College of Education, University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, and University of Maryland College of Education.

A University of Maryland?Grand Challenges Grant?supported project led by Gary LaFree from College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland is examining the link between rising sea surface temperatures and political violence. LaFree and his team are analyzing geocoded events recorded for the past 30 years in databases on terrorism (Global Terrorism Database) and armed conflict (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) in 109 coastal nations across the globe as part of their study. The goal of the project is to better understand past violence and also provide projections of future threats related to the effects of climate change. https://lnkd.in/eisYbssb

Racism poses significant mental health challenges for Asian American families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To tackle this issue, a Grand Challenges Grant project led by Cixin Wang from University of Maryland College of Education is developing an 8-session culturally sensitive intervention aimed at both parents and youth. This program will help families discuss racism, enhance positive parenting practices, and equip Asian American youth with coping strategies for racism-related mental health difficulties. https://lnkd.in/efX5Aaw5

A?Grand Challenges Grant supported project?led by?Ali Hurtado?in the University of Maryland School of Public Health is building a unique community collaboration to support youth mental health in Honduras. Since the launch of the project, Hurtado and his research team have continued to strengthen their partnership with the ORGANIZATION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH INC (OCHO-Honduras). Earlier this year, the team completed the mental health program adaptation and trained public school teachers and leaders to foster youth mental well-being.? https://lnkd.in/eimDpc4d

Two faculty members in University of Maryland – College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences?and UMIACS are combining their expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) and the study of the Earth’s systems, known as geoscience, to improve weather and climate forecasting for underserved communities. Maria Molina and Christopher Metzler received a Grand Challenges Grant to characterize and improve Machine Learning-based weather forecasting, with an emphasis on designing systems that are both accurate and equitable. Check out their work: https://lnkd.in/gNM3mvN5

The Maryland Democracy Initiative, a Grand Challenges Grantee, is working with schools and colleges across the country to engage and educate new voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. This initiative aims to establish University of Maryland as a force to empower students, faculty, and staff on campus—and our Maryland Democracy Initiative community partners throughout Maryland—as co-creators of solutions that remove barriers that threaten our future as nation and that ensure a better democracy for all. https://lnkd.in/eTMrhkBH

A University of Maryland research initiative supported by a?Grand Challenges Grant?and led by Karin Burghardt?from University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is advancing environmental justice and helping cities to become more climate change-resilient through urban tree growth and development. The project aims to identify tree species performing well in city neighborhoods with low current tree canopy cover, such as those that were historically redlined through a discriminatory federal housing policy in the 1930s and 40s. https://lnkd.in/eDK-CDS9

The Anti-Black Racism Initiative (ABRI), a Grand Challenges Initiative, builds upon the state of Maryland’s legacy of racial equity and social justice to develop and execute anti-Black racism teach-in workshops for faculty, staff, students, and community members. Thanks in large part to ABRI, the University of Maryland was able to launch one of the first academic minors in the country focused on identifying the causes and effects of anti-Black racism to create lasting societal change. ABRI's team includes Jeanette Snider Ph.D., Dr. Rashawn Ray, Ashley Newby from College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, Psyche Williams-Forson and John Drabinski?from University of Maryland - College of Arts and Humanities, Kimberly Griffin from University of Maryland College of Education, and Craig Fryer?from University of Maryland School of Public Health. https://lnkd.in/eRhwMrtB

To accelerate creative solutions to the problems facing urban communities, the Urban Equity Collaborative employs an intersectional, multidisciplinary, and collaborative approach that upholds equitable community partnerships. Supported by a Grand Challenges Grant and co-led by Willow Lung-Amam, Ph.D. (Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation),?Nancy Raquel Mirabal (University of Maryland - College of Arts and Humanities), and Devon Payne-Sturges (University of Maryland School of Public Health), the UEC's work has focused on issues of dispossession and displacement, and specifically issues of affordable housing access, immigrant rights, and small business displacement. https://lnkd.in/eu-zSA2a

The Africa Through Language and Area Studies (ATLAS) serves as a nexus for the study of African languages, history, contemporary issues, and research at the University of Maryland with the goal of increasing the understanding of the African continent and its growing global influence. This Grand Challenges Grantee utilizes a website as a main hub for courses, events, and student groups that focus on Africa and the African diaspora, as well as showcase relevant research and scholarship throughout campus.?In addition, ATLAS hosts monthly events, with their 2025 Annual Conference call for proposals out now! Check out the work that Miranda Abadir from University of Maryland - College of Arts and Humanities,?Matthew Thomann from College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, and Connie DiJohnson from National Foreign Language Center are doing: https://lnkd.in/eaqKcH2C