91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å

Projects & Research

GSP Emphases

Livable Coasts: how might we create and sustain livable communities and environments on coasts in the midst of climate change? 

Equity: through an exploration of coastal communities and maritime economies long histories of supporting and promoting inequity (slave trade, child labor, extractive economies, income inequality), what policy initiatives, educational, infrastructure, science, cultural and/or economic initiatives might promote more equitable and just lives and communities (and/or communities?)? 

Risk, Disaster, and Security: how might coastal communities and maritime enterprises better manage risk, mitigate disaster, and enhance security?  

Defining the Good Life: how we define the good life influences how we treat others, the vocations we pursue, the policies and politicians we support. How might a good life relate to place? How might we form and support more expansive definitions of the good life that lead to sustainable and equitable societies?

Gulf Scholars Program Annual Conference

The annual Gulf Scholars Conference brings together GSP students, faculty/staff, and community partners to facilitate connections across the GSP network, sharing ideas, learning, and building the Gulf Scholars community. The conference includes presentations, discussions, and activities to engage participants in a range of topics such as: student poster presentations, community partner perspectives, career development, the future of the Gulf region, Gulf-related classes and curriculum, and more.

Below are past Southern Miss Gulf Scholar presenters.

Isabel Duplantis

Isabel was mentored by Dr. Maria Wallace of 91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å, and her Gulf Impact Project was titled Microplastics in the Gulf. Isabel worked to bring an awareness to the Hattiesburg community about the dangers of microplastics on marine ecosystems, to convey a sense of duty to reduce plastic waste streams, and to foster an understanding of how all living organisms are interconnected.

Shauntelle Duncan

Shauntelle’s project was titled Microbial Analysis of Rainwater Samples from Coastal Mississippi, and she was mentored by Dr. Steven Hallam of 91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å. The experiment analyzed and identified the foreign microbes present in rainwater collected before, during, and after storms for potentially harmful microbes to inform local communities about health risks and to improve water quality management practices.

Natalie Santiago

Natalie Santiago was mentored by Dr. Michael Andres of 91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å, and her Gulf Impact Project was titled Comparing the Distribution of Macroinvertebrate Communities Above and Below a Still in the Lower Bouie River. The purpose of the Project was to better understand how surrounding environments, species, and communities are affected by the health of surrounding waterways.

Maya Wood

Maya Wood’s Gulf Impact Project was titled A Coastal Community: How Small Business is Making a Big Impact on the Mississippi Coast. 91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å GSP community partner mentored the Project. The purpose of the Project was to highlight local businesses by giving a voice and platform to Mississippi residents that showcase the people and places living along the vibrant Gulf Coast. The project consisted of four published stories in a special series ran through Seaside Social News.

Ramona Chambers

Ramona Chambers’ Gulf Impact Project was about working with children along the Mississippi Gulf Coast who need educational growth as well as guidance with the criminal justice system. mentored the Project. The Project gave back to the community by offering interactive services to the youth involved via service-learning.

 

Microplastics in the Gulf

Microbial Analysis of Rainwater Samples from Coastal Mississippi

Comparing the Distribution of Macroinvertebrate Communities Above and Below a Still in the Lower Bouie River

A Coastal Community: How Small Business is Making a Big Impact on the Mississippi Coast

Gulf Launch Networking Event

The Gulf Scholars Program's second annual Gulf Launch networking event was held on October 18, 2024, and featured community partners and faculty mentors connecting with 91¶ÌÊÓƵÔÚÏß²¥·Å students in an effort to help students find their next research project, passion, and/or internship.

Every fall semester, the GSP will host a Gulf Launch event.