Vaccine Hesitancy in the Post-COVID-19 Era: An Interdisciplinary Approach for a Trust-and-Risk Paradigm with Governmental and Intergovernmental Implications

Vaccine hesitancy was described as a major global health challenge by the World Health Organization before the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic (Ten Health Issues WHO Will Tackle This Year, 2019). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of several new vaccines (notably Pfizer, Moderna, J&J) and with them new vaccine technologies (mRNA) under emergency use authorization (EUA), combined with the political context of these vaccines’ accelerated development, triggered a heightened level of vaccine hesitancy and refusal in the United States and around the world (FDA, 2021). This paper study undertakes to investigate the foundations and recent evolution of this phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy (and refusal) using a broad, inductive, and interdisciplinary approach with a focus on the role of risk perception and trust in risk/benefit assessment. (1) In particular, this study considers the issue of risk perception based on both objective and subjective criteria, using the well-known phenomenon of ‘fear of flying’ as a point of reference as well as successful interventions developed to address this common problem (Slovic, 2013). (2) This study then considers existing vaccine hesitancy interventions against the framework of risk perception and trusted sources (Jarrett et al., 2015). (3) An additional contribution to knowledge takes the form of a possible model able to offer a credible risk/benefit calculator which could be used as part of such an intervention. Overall, this research makes a significant contribution to the study of vaccine hesitancy by identifying the complexity of the underlying issues, the inadequacy of current responses, as well as a need for a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to improve both local and global public health policies

The Welcome Project Brochure 2007

The Welcome Project is a diverse group of URI students, faculty, and staff organized to examine and address the climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (GLBT) individuals on the URI campuses and beyond. The purpose of the Welcome Project is to affirm the dignity of all members of the URI community regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression, as well as to promote a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment for all. The Welcome Project strives to identify and eliminate various forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and works toward developing a tradition of visibility and respect for GLBT people within our community. This is the 2007 edit of the brochure. The Welcome Project; GLBT Center; “All individuals have the right to take pride in who they are - to live, to work, and to learn in a comfortable atmosphere without fear of rejection or punishment of any kind.” The Welcome Project; Andrew Winters, Assistant to the Vice-President of Student Affairs, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Programs and Services Phone: (401) 874-2894 E-Mail: [email protected]; Roxanne Gomes, Assistant Director, URI Office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity & Diversity Carlotti Administration Building Phone: (401) 874-4929 E-Mail: [email protected]; Kiev-Tuen Atreides, Assistant Director URI GLBT Center Phone: (401) 874-0014 E-Mail: [email protected]; URI Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Center; The GLBT Center, located in Adams Hall, strives to create a welcoming and safe environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Prioritizing around dimensions of education, support, and advocacy, the Center works directly with students, faculty, staff, and community members to provide meaningful programs and services. “The University community respects the dignity of each individual, valuing the diversity among us. We demand of ourselves uncompromising integrity, with imagination and pride evident in every aspect of our work.” - President Robert L. Carothers; “The University of Rhode Island prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or discrimination against disabled and Vietnam era veterans in the recruitment, admission, or treatment of students; the recruitment, hiring, or treatment of faculty and staff; and the operation of its activities and programs.” University of Rhode Island Anti-discrimination Policy; The Welcome Project is a diverse group of URI students, faculty, and staff organized to examine and address the climate for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (GLBT) individuals on the URI campuses and beyond. The purpose of the Welcome Project is to affirm the dignity of all members of the URI community regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity/ expression, as well as to promote a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment for all. The Welcome Project strives to identify and eliminate various forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, and works toward developing a tradition of visibility and respect for GLBT people within our community

12th Annual Symposium on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Issues Brochure

This post contains the 12th Annual Symposium on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Issues Brochure and the Ms Word doc it was created in. 12th Annual Symposium on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Issues Brochure; The University of Rhode Island 12th Annual Symposium on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Issues; Pathways to Equality, Facets of Freedom; Schedule at a Glance April 19-22, 2006; Acknowledgements Our Symposium is free and open to public thanks to the contributions and support of the following: The Office of The Vice President for Student Affairs, The University of Rhode Island GLBT Center, URI Memorial Union, URI Multicultural Center, URI Women\u27s Center, URI Library, URI Dept. of Housing and Residential Life, URI Health Services, URI Catering Services, URI Parking Services, URI News Bureau, AIDS Project RI, AIDS Quilt RI, Options News Magazine, URI Student Life, URI Career Services, Santiago, Inc., Hillel, Women\u27s Studies, Edge Publications, Providence, Gay? fine by me, Sarah Mecca; Symposium Organizing Committee : Kiev-Tuen Atreides, Bekki Davis, Al Lott, Joseph A Santiago, Aja Van Dyke, Andrew Winters.; Mission: The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Center at the University of Rhode Island strives to create a welcoming and safe environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Prioritizing around dimensions of education, support, and advocacy, the GLBT Center works directly with students, faculty, staff and community members to provide related programs and services.; WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 7:30PM, HARDGE FORUM, MULTICULTURAL CENTER “The Case of Professor Martha Deane: Sexuality and Power at Cold War UCLA” In 1952, Martha Deane, a tenured UCLA professor of physical education, was forced into early retirement: she was accused by a neighbor of having sexual relations with another woman in her own home. Professor Deane’s expulsion from the University of California at Los Angeles illustrates the intertwining of Cold War hysteria, sexual anxieties, and homophobia that characterized life in the United States in the early 1950s. This talk will examine Martha Deane’s story in a past period of political repression as a way of thinking about our own time.; Kathleen Weiler is a Professor in the Department of Education at Tufts University. Her research has focused on the social, historical and political context of education in relation to questions of gender. She has published a number of books, including ethnographic studies of classroom teaching, theoretical discussions of feminist theory and pedagogy, and historical studies of women educators in the American West. Her teaching includes philosophy of education, gender and education, and the history of education.; THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 10:00AM TO 3:30PM, GALANTI LOUNGE, UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 10:00-11:30 “Locating the Marriage Movement in a Wider Queer Context” Jenn Steinfeld, Marriage Equality RI 11:30-12:30 “Understanding Down Low Phenomena” Curtis Ferguson, II 12:30-1:30 “Breaking the Boxes: An Open Spirituality“ Mary Latela, author: [email protected] 1:30-2:30 “Battling Bisexual Erasure: A Personal Struggle Against Invisibility” Ron Suresha, writer/ editor 2:30-3:30 “Beyond the Pathos of One-dimensional Relating: Re-conceptualizing Enmeshment in Lesbian Couples” A. Cassandra Golding; THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 7:30PM, HARDGE FORUM, MULTICULTURAL CENTER Reading from “The Legend of Bushistotle: History’s Greatest Philosopher-Warrior-King,” a satirical parody of the Bush Administration by author Steven Hanley, who will also discuss obstacles he has faced as a gay writer trying to publish a book critical of Bush and the Catholic Church. For further information about Steven Hanley and his upcoming book visit: http://www.stevenhanley.com; FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 10:00AM-4:00PM, GALANTI LOUNGE, UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 10:00-11:00 “Pride and Punishment: Why Prisons are a Queer Issue” Daniel Bassichis, Vanessa Huang, Justice Now 11:00-12:00 “Evaluation of a Safe Spaces Program for LGBTQ College Students” R. Steven Schiavo 12:00-1:30 Discussion of the Gay? Fine By Me Project with founder Lucas Schaefer : www.finebyme.org 1:30-3:00 “Lifelines: Critical Benefits of Harm Reduction Clinics and Transition Resources for Transgender and Transsexual Youth” Gavriel Ansara 3:00-4:00 “Is it Time to End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’?” Peter Cassels, Edge Publications www.edgeprovidence.com; FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 7:30PM, ROBERT E. WILL THEATRE FINE ARTS CENTER The URI Theatre Department presents Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize, Tony-Award winning play, “Angels in America (Part I, Millennium Approaches).” This performance is dedicated to the Rhode Island Project AIDS Benefit and the Annual URI GLBT Symposium. Tickets for this performance will be $16 general,$12 seniors, URI Faculty and Staff and $10 for students. Two dollars from each ticket will be donated to RI Project AIDS. A post-performance panel discussion will relate play themes to AIDS issues in Rhode Island.; Saturday, April 22, 12:00pm-4:30pm, Galanti Lounge, University Library “Queer Youth Issues.” Workshops and discussions presented by Youth Pride, Inc. (YPI) and the Providence Youth Student Movement (PrYSM). 5:00pm Rainbow Diversity House Dinner discussion and evening social activitie