College of Humanities and Sciences

Faculty Research News

VCU alum Anna Carter digitally scans the last Genuine Smithfield Ham during a trip to the Isle of Wight County Museum. (Photo provided by Bernard Means)

Nothing ham-handed about this project: VCU helps digitally preserve the last Genuine Smithfield Ham

Sept. 17, 2024

Bernard Means of the Virtual Curation Laboratory and his summer field school students hit the road to scan a serious – and slippery – hunk of Virginia history.

VCU-backed startup Evizia co-founders Sheila Corcoran, left, and Jason Reed, Ph.D., professor, VCU Department of Physics and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, right, are photographed at the company’s Richmond office. (Dan Carrigan/Kelley)

Biotech startup with strong VCU ties wins prestigious state grant for its DNA analysis tool

Sept. 10, 2024

Physics professor and Massey researcher Jason Reed co-founded Evizia to propel scientific breakthroughs and improve patient outcomes.

VCU faculty member Geoff Bouvier’s “Us From Nothing” is a sprawling, poetic history. (Photo provided by Geoff Bouvier)

Poet Geoff Bouvier covers billions of years in ‘Us From Nothing'

Sept. 3, 2024

Bouvier, who teaches in VCU’s Department of English, curates ‘my own history of everything’ to highlight humanity’s interconnectedness.

(Left to right) Xuewei Wang, Ph.D., William L. Dewey, Ph.D., Shelli Fowler, Ph.D., VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., Marcie S. Wright, Ph.D., Yan Zhang, Ph.D. and Charlene D. Crawley, Ph.D. (Photo by Thomas Kojcsich, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

42nd annual Faculty Convocation celebrates six VCU role models

Aug. 30, 2024

Honorees included faculty members from the Schools of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, College of Humanities and Sciences and the School of Public Health.

Six VCU faculty members will be honored at the 42nd annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts. (File photo)

42nd annual Faculty Convocation will honor six VCU educators and researchers

Aug. 27, 2024

The annual ceremony, which will be held on Aug. 29, celebrates outstanding teaching, scholarship and service.

In her new book, “Cyborgs, Ethics, and The Matrix: Simulations of Sex and Gender,” Rebecca Gibson, Ph.D., explores what “The Matrix” can tell us about ourselves. (Contributed images)

VCU professor Rebecca Gibson’s new book looks at the philosophy of the Matrix franchise

Aug. 6, 2024

In ‘Cyborgs, Ethics, and The Matrix,’ the biological anthropologist connects the film franchise to issues of sex, gender, societal norms and free will.

Conscious consumption means shopping your values, whatever those values may be, according to VCU sociology professor Meredith Katz, Ph.D. (Getty Images)

How can I practice conscious consumption?

Aug. 5, 2024

VCU sociologist Meredith Katz offers insight into the concept, plus tips about the best mindset and potential practices.

According to VCU psychology professor Richard Bargdill, Ph.D., the key to creativity - and saving yourself from a slump - is to just have fun with it. (Getty Images)

How do I get out of a creative rut?

July 26, 2024

VCU psychology professor Richard Bargdill outlines the likely causes and potential cures for every artist’s worst nightmare.

Twenty-one projects have been awarded funding from the 2024 VCU Quest Fund. (Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

VCU Quest Fund provides grants to 21 faculty-led projects that target society’s biggest challenges

July 17, 2024

Transdisciplinary research teams are pursuing advances in health, engineering, the environment, homeland security and more.

Internationally recognized biographer Christopher A. Brooks' newest release, “Tales of Koehler Hollow,” highlights the true story of Amy Finney, a formerly enslaved Black woman, and her descendants. (Photo contributed by Christopher A. Brooks/Book cover contributed by Unsung Voices Books)

VCU professor Christopher A. Brooks’ new book explores the Black Appalachian experience

July 15, 2024

In ‘Tales of Koehler Hollow,’ the anthropologist and biographer uses a family’s long history in Southwest Virginia to connect slavery, identity and legacy.