CCI Ph.D. Alumnus Wins Grant
CCI Ph.D. alumnus and former advisee of Dr. Heather Richter Lipford, Dr. Pamela Wisniewski has earned a William T. Grant Scholarship Award for her exploration of ways to prevent the online sexual predation of low-income women of color. An assistant professor at the University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science, Wisniewski will use the grant to undertake a three-phase mixed-methods research plan.
In Phase 1, she will conduct a 30-day daily diary study to examine the risk and protective factors that lead low-income young women of color toward or away from online sexual predation risks. Phase 2 will involve a mixed-methods study of young women’s interactions with others on social media. In Phase 3, she will build upon the findings from the first two studies to develop and study a technology-based intervention to help teens decode online risks and respond to them.
In addition to expanding her research focus and methodological expertise, Wisniewski seeks to gain deeper knowledge of adolescent psychology. and ecological momentary assessment with mentor Candice Odgers, and computational mining of internet usage data with Dr. Sriram Chellappan.
Launched in 1982, Grant Scholar Awards support the professional development of promising researchers in the social, behavioral, and health sciences who have received their terminal degrees within the past seven years. To date, the program has sponsored more than 180 talented researchers.
Scholars receive $350,000 to execute rigorous five-year research plans that stretch their skills and knowledge into new disciplines, content areas, or methods. As they commence their projects, they build mentoring relationships with experts in areas pertinent to their development, and further their research and professional development through annual retreats with fellow Scholars, Foundation staff, and other senior researchers.
Senior Vice President Vivian Tseng remarked, “We are pleased to support a stellar group of new William T. Grant Scholars. They are tackling the important inequality challenges of our times, including racial disparities in school discipline, discrimination against LGBTQ youth and families, unstable work for parents in the service sector, and the risks facing low-income young women on social media. By supporting their research agendas and professional development, the William T. Grant Scholars Program seeks to contribute to a new generation of scholars who can inform our nation’s efforts to reduce inequality in for young people.”
For more on Dr. Wisniewski and her work, visit: pamspam.com
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