Radford University
Center for Social and Cultural Research
Our mission at the Center for Social and Cultural Research (CSCR) is: giving students experience in providing sociological knowledge and skills, and a professional identity as practicing sociologists; offering social research services for University, community and regional needs; supporting opportunities for scholarly research among the Sociology faculty.
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Meet the Staff: Olivia Houck
Olivia Houck is the head research assistant for the 2024-2025 academic year. They have worked at the CSCR for five consecutive semesters on a variety of different projects. Current work consists of co-authorship on an academic research paper focused on Food Insecurity on College Campuses with two Sociology professors. Olivia has also extended this research into an individual research project, analyzing how the built environment affects collegiate food insecurity. Olivia has also assisted with data collection and analysis, transcription, conducting initial background research, tutoring students on research methods and techniques, and citation and referencing. Olivia has gained experience using programs such as SPSS and Dedoose. Olivia is an active member of the Sociology department in addition to their work at the CSCR and is also the department’s senior ambassador. Olivia anticipates graduation in spring 2025 with a BS in Sociology and Criminal Justice.
What the CSCR means to me:
The CSCR has been a road to making connections with all sociological thinking at Radford. I have had the opportunity to make contacts with all the Sociology professors here at Radford as well as many of the students. The support and guidance provided through the CSCR is one that is unique to Radford. I am not sure how my undergraduate experience would have gone without working at the CSCR because it has been such a fundamental aspect to my experience and education here at Radford University. I have not only made connections, but I have had opportunities I never thought I would have such as presenting my own research at the National American Sociological Association conference in Montreal, Canada.
Meet the Staff: Jodi Allen
Jodi Allen (they/them) is a Sociology major with a Music Performance minor. As a senior, they have worked for 3+ years in the CSCR, and in that time have had the opportunity to work on several projects that supplemented their sociological studies. These include survey development and distribution, data collection and analysis monitoring pollution levels in the New River Valley, campus food insecurity research, mentoring students with research and class assignments, transcription work, and more. Through the CSCR, they have also been able to connect with faculty of the Sociology Department and their peer researchers. Jodi anticipates graduation in spring 2025 with a BS in Sociology.
What CSCR means to me:
The CSCR has been my second home the entire time I’ve been at Radford, and I don’t mean that lightly. I’ve deeply connected with my peers and other students, and it’s become the ultimate safe space with the Sociology Department right next door, always popping in to see what we’re up to. As a research assistant, I’ve gotten the chance to develop vital skills useful for when I graduate and later further my education! After I find myself somewhere new after Radford, I’ll look back on my time in the CSCR as one worthy of remembering.