Thad discovered his passion for interdisciplinary exploration during graduate school. He gained an appreciation for diverse viewpoints, which opened his eyes to the connections between different disciplines and the construction of knowledge. Fueled by this broader perspective, his research delves into several key themes, which include:
- Visual thinking: Thad’s background as a visual artist also fuels his fascination with visual thinking, which involves organizing ideas and information through imagery. This curiosity naturally led him to explore emojis and how users perceive them, particularly in the context of developing effective visual communication methods.
- The artist’s way: As an artist, Thad is fascinated by how artists navigate life’s complexities. This research explores the creative process and how artistic individuals approach life’s challenges
- Celebrating neurodiversity: Thad aims to raise awareness of the unique strengths and perspectives that neurodiverse individuals bring to the world. This research celebrates the beauty and value of all people, including those with disabilities.
Example research and viewpoint articles:
This writing describes my childhood struggles with an undiagnosed learning disability. The personal learning journey described in this writing is filled with challenges, but each step forward offered me a profound accomplishment that required resilience, determination, and a willingness to embrace my unique learning style. The sense of achievement from mastering a skill or concept that once felt insurmountable is incredibly empowering. I wrote this article to offer hope and encouragement to others struggling with self-acceptance and being themselves in a world where they think they cannot measure up to their “neurotypical peers.”
Link: https://juniperpublishers.com/gjidd/pdf/GJIDD.MS.ID.555874.pdf
The study explores how young adults navigate emoji use in the context of new romantic relationships. The qualitative study involves 55 undergraduate students (aged 18 -25) at a mid-sized public university in the rural mid-Atlantic.
Link:
This article discusses various scenarios involving professional artists and their potential response to the widespread adoption of Neuralink’s innovative invasive brain-machine interface technology.
Link: https://www.auctoresonline.org/uploads/articles/1716611290JBND-24-RA-104_Final_Galley_Proof.pdf
The paper delves into the challenges of parenting a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and introduces a four-part parenting strategy proven to be effective in behavioral modification.
This research poster on emoji usage was presented at the International Communication Conference in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2019. The presentation provided an overview of the results obtained from a survey of 371 college students regarding their perceptions and attitudes toward the use of emojis. Click on this text link to view a larger version of the poster.
This paper presents two case study style observations that were conducted by a parent of a seven-year-old child living with High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (HFASD). The case study operates as a needs assessment to understand the particular interaction limitations facing the child.
Link: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2898474
This viewpoint paper critiques the potential drawbacks of benchmarking in education. It argues that standardized practices often prioritize subjects other than creative arts, potentially hindering the development of critical skills like adaptability and creative thinking – qualities essential for America’s future success.
Link: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2893655