Gender identity and access to higher education, with Bryan McCannon (2025) Studies in Higher Education. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2024.2403730
Our research examines the potential gender identity discrimination within higher education in the U.S. An audit study was conducted by sending emails to admission counselors, where the messages varied in the inclusion of gender pronouns in the signature line. The results indicate a higher response rate for emails which included preferred pronouns, with a response rate increase of approximately four percentage points, regardless of the type of pronoun used. We engage in text analysis and show that responses to inquiries with pronouns received more friendly responses receiving heightened use of exclamation marks, emojis/emoticons, and from a topic modeling algorithm were less likely to be strictly replies explaining the admission process. Finally, we apply machine learning to identify key institution attributes that are useful in predicting heterogeneous responses, and to identify the attributes of institutions where negative discrimination is likely to occur.
Puzzling Load - Cognitive Load and Performance in a Regression Discontinuity Design
Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is a framework that explains how cognitive load impacts learning and performance, particularly in educational and professional settings. Environmental factors can create cognitive load external to a task, inhibiting performance and productivity. Competitive puzzling is a growing sport requiring intense concentration and focus from competitors for extended periods of time. Between 2022 and 2024 at the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation Championships (WJPF), some competitors were forced to share a table with other participants while others had a table to themselves during secondary rounds of the competition. Sharing a table could create increased external distraction and raise cognitive load, artificially handicapping certain competitors. Because seating was not randomly assigned, I am able to use a regression discontinuity design to analyze the effect of table space on performance. I find no evidence of an effect on competitor's performance around the treatment cut-off.
Impact of Federal Mental Health Grants to Schools on Student Absenteeism, with Mustahsin Ul Aziz (WVU)
Study of the impact of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) grants to schools on student mental health using absenteeism and truancy as a proxy.