This spring, the CSBS Small Grant Program received an unprecedented number of submissions. Unfortunately, we could fund only four of the many impressive proposals submitted. The four funded projects use a variety of innovative methods to provide insight into addressing a range of important issues facing society. One grant looks at classroom practices to enhance children’s reading, another examines how to facilitate children’s resilience in the face of natural disasters, a third focuses on climate-induced displacement, and a fourth explores the benefits for health of equitable access to recreational resources. The four grants represent a breadth of social and behavioral science disciplines with each of the principal investigators coming from a different college or school (i.e., the College of Education, School of Social Work, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, and College of Applied Health Sciences).
We’re thrilled to support these four exceptional teams and applaud their dedication to tackling pressing societal challenges through evidence-based, cross-disciplinary research.
Title: Exploring the Pedagogical Application of Auditory Perceptual Simulation in Developing Readers
PI: Kiel Christianson | professor, educational psychology
Co-I: Justin Kern | assistant professor, educational psychology
Summary: This project investigates whether guided practice with Auditory Perceptual Simulation (APS)—the mental simulation of speech while reading—can enhance reading outcomes in 4th-grade students. Previous research shows that skilled readers often simulate voices and speaking rates during silent reading, which can influence comprehension and engagement. By integrating APS strategies into classroom reading activities, the study aims to evaluate improvements in reading fluency, comprehension, and enjoyment over the course of a semester.
Title: Enhancing Disaster Resilience for Vulnerable Children: Exploring Neighborhood Determinants of Hurricane Risk and Intervention Barriers
PI: Tara Leytham Powell | associate professor, School of Social Work
Co-I: Marynia Kolak | assistant professor, geography & geographic information systems
Summary: This research examines how neighborhood-level social, economic, and environmental factors influence the vulnerability of children in natural disaster-prone areas. The project focuses on barriers to implementing behavioral health interventions—particularly the Journey of Hope program—in high-risk communities across Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. By combining macro-level data analysis with implementation science, the study aims to develop a framework for improving access to mental health services and building community resilience for children affected by hurricanes.
Title: Bridging Data Science with Social Science to Investigate the Socioeconomic Impacts of Climate Change in Brazil
PI: Angela Lyons, professor, agricultural & consumer economics
Co-Is: Aiman Soliman | research scientist, National Center for Supercomputing Applications
Josephine Kass-Hanna | assistant professor, IÉSEG School of Management
Alejandro Montoya Castaño | senior policy associate, Innovations for Poverty Action
Tiago Santos Telles | associate professor, State University of Londrina
Summary: This project explores how climate change is reshaping internal migration in Brazil and impacting vulnerable populations. Using geospatial analysis and machine learning, the study examines the impacts of environmental stressors—such as deforestation, prolonged droughts, and rising sea levels—on migration patterns and socioeconomic outcomes. Particular focus is given to climate-driven rural-to-urban migration in Northern Brazil due to deforestation in the Amazon. The project integrates meteorological, economic, and mobile geolocation data to identify high-risk areas and forecast future migration flows. Findings will inform data-driven policies to address climate-induced displacement and provide a scalable, replicable framework applicable to other climate-vulnerable regions, including the United States.
Title: Park and Recreational Facility Availability, Physical Activity Prevalence, Residential Segregation, and Healthcare Costs among Older Adults
PI: Mikihiro Sato, assistant professor, recreation, sport, and tourism
Co-I: Mariela Fernandez, associate professor, recreation, sport & tourism
Summary: This study explores how the availability of parks and recreational facilities—and the influence of racial and economic residential segregation—affect physical activity levels and healthcare costs among older adults. Guided by the social-ecological model, the research uses multiyear county-level data to assess how community environments shape health behaviors and outcomes. Findings will inform policies aimed at increasing physical activity and reducing healthcare expenditures through equitable access to recreational resources.