Bryant University faculty are making significant contributions to their fields across a wide range of disciplines, from artificial intelligence to exercise and movement science to the performing arts. Here are just a few of their findings:
Interpreting the American Presidency: In his new book, What Does the American Presidency Mean?: The Need for Interpretation in Political Science, published in June by Routledge, Associate Professor of Political Science Richard Holtzman, Ph.D., delves into the evolving meaning of the U.S. presidency, emphasizing the importance of understanding its symbolic and practical dimensions in contemporary politics.
Consumer Expectations in AI-Human Collaboration: The study "High Hopes, Hard Falls," co-authored by Marketing Associate Professor Kacy Kim, Ph.D., and Marketing Professor Sukki Yoon, Ph.D., and published in International Journal of Advertising, examines how consumers form expectations about AI-human collaborations in creative fields and their reactions when outcomes don't meet these expectations, highlighting the psychological impacts on brand perception.
CSR Strategies and Stock Prices: Published in Managerial Finance, research by Assistant Professor of Finance Sonal Kumar, Ph.D., and colleagues analyzes the effects of responsive versus adaptive corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies on stock prices, revealing that while responsive CSR yields immediate positive reactions, adaptive CSR leads to long-term gains, especially for family-owned firms.
Grunting and Athletic Performance: Research led by Associate Professor of Exercise and Movement Science Jason Sawyer, Ph.D., published in Scientific Journal of Sports and Performance, demonstrates that grunting during explosive movements, such as punches and jumps, can significantly increase power output and vertical jump height in trained martial artists, suggesting practical applications in athletic training.
Machine Learning in Auditing: Published in International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Assistant Professor of Accounting E. Jin Lee, Ph.D., explores the use of machine learning to aid auditors in making “going concern” decisions, proposing a model that enhances the accuracy and efficiency of audit opinions through data-driven analysis.
Plant Wax as Environmental Indicator: Presented at the EGU General Assembly 2025 in Vienna, Biological and Biomedical Sciences Lecturer Robert Patalano ’08, Ph.D., and colleagues’ research utilized plant wax n-alkanes to track vegetation transitions and hydrological responses along elevation gradients in Lesotho, Southern Africa, offering insights into past climate conditions and human-environment interactions.
Female Comedians as Disruptors: In her new book, Caught in the Crosshairs: Feminist Comedians and the Culture Wars, published in July by Indiana University Press, History, Literature, and the Arts Professor and Department Chair Amber Day, Ph.D., examines not only the work of comic icons Samantha Bee, Amy Schumer, Leslie Jones, and others but also the discourse surrounding their comedy.
Social Media Feedback and Workplace Behavior: This research, led by Assistant Professor of Management Zahra Heydarifard, Ph.D., and published in the Journal of Managerial Psychology, examines how indirect feedback received through social media platforms can predict prosocial behaviors in the workplace, highlighting the role of online interactions in shaping employee conduct and organizational culture.