A Radical Feminist Critique of the Video Games Industry

This IQP proposes a radical feminist critique of the video game industry. It explores the conflicts arising at the intersection of video games, gender, violence, masculinity, and militarism, and argues that the industry as a whole reinforces an unjust set of gendered political power relations. This paper strives to understand the problems and conflicts existing at the core of video game design, and charts new paths toward challenging games, gamers, and the industry from a feminist perspective

Master of Science

thesisMaterials that have feature sizes on the mesoscale present unique properties based on diffusion and chemical reactions. Despite the breadth of work done in this area, there is little work done connecting biological mesostructures and the well-developed inorganic mesoporous materials. This thesis presents work done on mesostructured and mesoporous materials to connect biological mesostructures to the field of inorganic mesoporous materials. Specifically, we have developed novel methods for making self-assembled biological-inorganic mesoporous composites, densified mesoporous solids, and investigated tunability of mesostructured biological emulsions (cubosomes). Cubosomes were investigated for tunability of the lattice parameter via addition of a designer peptide and was characterized by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and small-angle x-ray scattering, which revealed a swelling of the lattice parameter and the appearance of a hexagonal phase at low peptide concentrations. Self-assembled biological-inorganic composite materials was shown to possess order on the mesoscale when observed by transmission electron microscopy and were loaded with Rhodamine B. Fluorescence studies revealed successful loading of the dye and changes in the salt or acid concentration unloaded the dye. SBA-type silica was densified while maintaining mesoporosity using spark plasma sintering and proof of principle were done to illustrate how these materials could be chemically modified into semiconductors relevant to energy applications

Some Applications of Mass Spectrometry to Organic Chemistry

Abstract Not Provided

Delivering the past : providing personalized ancestral tourism experiences

Heritage tourism is increasingly viewed as an individual and experiential phenomenon as well as being related to specific attributes of a destination. Ancestral tourism fits the former perspective and centers on tourists travelling to sites which they perceive to be a ‘homeland’ where, during the visit, they attempt to discover more about their own heritage. This study explores ancestral tourism from a provider perspective focusing on the delivery of tourist experiences and relationships between tourists and the place visited. The research is based on a qualitative study of tourist and non-tourist specific providers across Scotland with data collected using in-depth interviews. This study reveals a phenomenon which delivers deeply personal experiences to visitors and where encounters involve intense, often lengthy, interactions between visitors and providers. Ancestral tourism experiences are also often centered on tourism provision within local communities which can present challenges to both provider and tourist alike

Connecting with the past : meeting the needs of ancestral tourists in Scotland

An ancestral legacy is often viewed as the epitome of heritage tourism (McCain, 2003) and can generate the feelings of personal attachment craved by many tourists (Timothy and Boyd, 2006). Ancestral tourism supports individuals who, despite an existing identity in one country, feel a connection to another ‘homeland’ (Palmer, 1999). McCain and Ray (2003) suggest that tourism associated with personal legacy offers an experience with functional, social, emotional and epistemic value dimensions (Williams & Soutar, 2009). However, there is scant research which considers the added value that ancestral tourism can provide to a destination despite the range of benefits that may be accrued by communities which meet the needs of ancestral tourists (Timothy, 1997). Scotland, a nation which maintains and projects powerful brand signifiers of its cultural heritage (McCrone, Morris and Kiely, 1995) is also a country which witnessed considerable emigration between the 18th and 20th century. Although much emigration was voluntary and motivated by a search for economic opportunity, it is the enforced clearing of Scots as part of an economic restructuring that generates particularly evocative images. By 1914 more than 2 million Scots had emigrated, mainly to the British Dominions of Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  An estimated 800,000 visitors a year are estimated to come to Scotland with ancestral motivations but a global Scottish diaspora (which could number between 40 and 80 million) is estimated to be worth several billion pounds to the Scottish economy over the next decade. We sought to explore how the needs of ancestral tourists are met through a qualitative study involving 28 in-depth interviews with curators and tourism professionals and non-participant observation at a range of heritage and genealogical attractions across the whole of Scotland.   Our research reveals a spectrum of ancestral tourists from roots tourists who appear to be satisfied with putting their ‘feet on the ground’ where their ancestors lived; to genealogy tourists who often visit with an obsession for ‘generation bagging’ and gaining detailed documentary insight into their ancestral past.  We contribute to heritage tourism studies by revealing how extensive and well preserved archives, local knowledge and a passion for family history can serve to generate unique and deeply emotional tourism experiences for ancestral tourists. Despite the often ‘cottage industry’ nature of many ancestral attractions (often reliant on volunteers and local ‘good will) the outcome of the visit can often be greater satisfaction and a strong repeat visitation pattern

Delivering integrated and customised service experiences within a heterogeneous cultural organisation

This investigation explores challenges in providing integrated and customised services across a heterogeneous cultural organisation. It contributes to contemporary research which increasingly looks at service experience in a number of contexts including public services (McColl-Kennedy, Janet R. Gustafsson et al., 2015), and emphasises the complexity of customer journeys (Lemon & Verhoef, 2016). This study also aligns with research that considers the heterogeneity of cultural consumption (Marschall, 2014; McCamley & Gilmore, 2017) and tourists’ experiences of intangible and tangible elements across a range of sites, some with connections of individual resonance (Poria & Ashworth, 2009; Poria, Butler, & Airey, 2004)

Role conflict and changing heritage practice : ancestral tourism in Scotland

Developing mutually beneficial outcomes in service encounters can be challenging due to resource asymmetry within co-created experiences. Such encounters can result in role conflict for service providers. Limited attention has been paid to the effect on service providers of highly collaborative exchanges which require specific customisation. An example of this is ancestral tourism, a dimension of heritage consumption, in which visitors actively participate in the co-creation of experience at museums, archives and related heritage sites. These institutions, previously seen as repositories of historical information, now act as conduits for visitors to investigate their ancestral past. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between changing professional discourse in the cultural heritage sector, specifically ancestral tourism, and role conflict amongst staff. Through interviews conducted with professionals, the extent and outcomes of role conflict in complex and collaborative exchanges is explored

Determinants of Success in WPI Student-Led Organizations

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has approximately 200 student-led organizations. Unfortunately, many new student leaders require a relatively large adjustment period to lead effectively; therefore, hindering progress. To help combat this problem, we researched several variables in relation to organizational success, defined as membership engagement. By collecting data from the WPI population through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, and utilizing statistical and content analysis, we have provided recommendations for student leaders to facilitate development and greater organizational success