Student Research Posters
The following poster was presented by Bucknell student Brian Babyak, at the Susquehanna Valley Undergraduate Research Symposium held at Bloombsurg University in August 2017 . He was a summer 2017 intern with the Place Studies program in Bucknell's Center for Sustainability and the Environment, funded by Bucknell's Institute for Public Policy.
Exploring Benefits, Barriers, and Perceptions of Adopting Biogas Technology
Brian Babyak, Chris D'Aliso, and Shaunna Barnhart, PhD
Communities and governments are looking for sustainable, renewable energy technologies that will reduce emissions, further energy independence, and protect the future of the planet. This project examines one of these technologies, the use of farm-based biogas for energy, and the barriers and motivations to its development in political contexts. The usage of biogas technology for energy is critical to achieving many environmental, as well as economic gains, however there are still many obstacles towards its adoption among farmers. This research analyzes the motivations and barriers for farmers investing in biogas and the discourses used by media, government, and non-governmental organizations. By understanding why or why not farmers choose to adopt biogas technology, we can explore how to achieve greater usage. This will in turn create a cleaner, more sustainable future, and help achieve many emissions targets and reduce waste and pollution.
The following three posters were presented by Allegheny College students at the Westminster College Student Symposium on the Environment in December 2013 based on research conducted through group projects and independent studies.
Media Influence on Hydraulic Fracturing Perceptions at Allegheny College
Pasquale DiFrancesco, Joshua Paradise, Jenna Smith, and Jessica Stickel
How do members of the Allegheny College community develop their perceptions of fracking and what role does media play in influencing such perceptions?
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Congratulations to Pasquale and Jessica for winning Best Environmental Project Poster Presentation!
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Perceptions of Deep Shale Exploration on Allegheny College’s Campus
Abigail Dunegan, Dibyajyoti Mukherjee, William Tolliver
Allegheny College was approached by a leasing company to sign a lease allowing hydraulic fracturing to occur under Allegheny College’s Bousson Experimental Forest. On June 27, 2013 the college declined to sign a lease or commit to drill, however, that does not mean the college will never sign a lease to drill. This study analyzes 224 survey responses from students, faculty, and staff at Allegheny College and finds that the community is divided over the issue of hydraulic fracturing with tension existing between the College’s responsibility to maintain its “green” sustainability commitment identity and the potential for an economic boost that could benefit college operations.
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Biogas Distribution in Nepal
Emilie Hickox, Shaunna Barnhart
In the past 20 years, the number of biogas plants in Nepal has been on the rise as the benefits are recognized and resources for construction are made more available. This is attributed to the Biogas Support Program (BSP). Founded in 1992, this program focuses largely on providing subsidies to make these biogas plants more accessible. However, while some of Nepal’s 75 districts are surpassing the expectations for biogas construction, other districts have yet to embrace the technology. Biogas distribution in Nepal has been well documented in text, but not through visual spatial representation. Through GIS, this data was used to create maps that will help to explain the trends and factors affecting biogas distribution.
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Student Reports and Projects
Section under development