This is a concept pulled from the Community Coding Codebook. In the context of our coding, we define this as fragility, sensitivity, and/or shutting down in the face of change or confrontation. We apply this code when individuals demonstrate these behaviors in reaction to discussions about race and/or equity. This is […]
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Equity and equality are two terms that are used frequently in justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity work. Both of these terms revolve around individual and population needs and the resources that meet those needs. Although they may sound similar there are some key differences that are important to keep in […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life in a matter of months. More than a year later, we are still experiencing the pandemic and its impacts. From many people losing loved ones to decreasing carbon emissions, the effect of the pandemic reaches many different sectors. Because of the […]
Noise pollution can manifest itself in many ways like talking, transportation, or construction. These different ways relate to different ranges of sound levels. Sound levels are measured in decibels, which can range from 0 to over 120. Decibels are calculated using sound meters, like the one used in the “Map […]
Have you ever been told to recycle or else plastic will end up in the ocean? Or have you seen ads that said you’re wasting too much energy just because you forgot to turn off the light switch? If so, you’ve heard prime examples of individual action. Individual action, in […]
The dominant perspective in society is white (and generally of a higher socioeconomic class), meaning that almost every aspect of society is made with them in mind. This means that many solutions to society’s problems are based on the lifestyles and resources of the dominant culture. Noise pollution solutions, especially […]
The purpose of the NOISE project is written in the first pages of our 2019 NSF report, which states: “The goal of our community-led project… is to co-create a national community science project focused on noise pollution with the goal of increasing inclusion and equity in STEM, while building capacity […]
The Noise Project brings together the goals of furthering science and furthering equity. Our team carries out Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR), which is a method of research conducted at the community level by engaging with individuals and organizations in the community to further science. Traditionally, the focus of CBPR has […]
Where you live is often determined by your socioeconomic status and/or race. In the United States, people of color have been subjected to years of racial segregation. Policies such as “redlining” ensured that black people would only have access to dense, low-income areas (red zones) while white people (who were […]
Noise pollution can have a major impact on the environment. One ecosystem that exemplifies the harsh effects of noise pollution is marine life. Life underwater can naturally be pretty loud. Water particles are more densely packed than air particles so sound travels faster. Over time, marine creatures have adapted to use […]
The NOISE project is also interested in the ways sound can improve our communities’ health and quality of life. As this blog post explains, people living in areas with more birds, trees, and shrubs are less likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression, and listening to sounds such as birdsongs can actually […]
All of this information about noise pollution can be really overwhelming—which is why it’s also so important to educate ourselves about how we can combat noise pollution. Some researchers have suggested an individual approach to combating noise pollution. In this Ted Talk, Dr. Mathias Basner, a professor in the Department […]