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Editors Amary Corona and Kailey Gonzalez, in addition to faculty advisor Dr. Menounou, introduce this volume of the undergraduate journal.

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Historically, sex has delineated policy preferences. It has also been a crucial element in bill sponsorship. Research has examined the behavior of male and female lawmakers and noted that female legislators tend to be relegated to “women’s issues” while male legislators have a more pronounced effect on economic policy. Although much literature has been devoted to gender and its effects on public policy, little research has analyzed gender differences in support for funding K-12 education. At this cross-section we see social welfare, which is typically regarded as a women’s issue, and economic policy. In this study, an examination of roll call votes from the California State Senate regarding K-12 appropriations was examined. Gender did not appear to be a statistically significant factor, though political party was.

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This paper examines the ways in which epistemic violence operates as a mechanism of colonial subjugation in both the United States and the Philippines. By analyzing historical and contemporary structures of knowledge production, the study highlights how dominant narratives marginalize indigenous and local ways of knowing. The paper argues that epistemic violence is not merely symbolic but has material consequences that reinforce political and social hierarchies. Through a comparative framework, it demonstrates how colonial legacies persist in educational systems, governance, and cultural discourse, ultimately shaping the lived experiences of marginalized communities.

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This paper applies an intersectional feminist framework to Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale in order to analyze reproductive oppression in a contemporary post-Dobbs context. By examining the intersections of gender, race, and class, the study reveals how systems of power regulate and control bodies in both fictional and real-world settings. The paper argues that the novel serves as a critical lens through which to understand ongoing threats to reproductive rights and highlights the importance of intersectionality in resisting oppressive structures.

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This paper analyzes the deployment of Red Wolf artificial intelligence technology in the West Bank and its implications for surveillance, control, and human rights. It explores how AI-driven systems are integrated into military and security operations, raising concerns about accountability and ethical governance. The study argues that such technologies exacerbate existing inequalities and contribute to new forms of digital domination, with significant consequences for civilian populations.

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This paper examines the criminal justice system through the lens of a public defender, focusing on issues of equity, access, and systemic imbalance. It highlights the challenges faced by defendants who rely on public defense and critiques structural inequalities that disadvantage marginalized communities. The study argues for reforms that prioritize fairness and due process while addressing resource disparities within the legal system.

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This paper evaluates the roles of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations in responding to the Rohingya ethnic cleansing. It assesses the effectiveness of international interventions and the limitations of global governance structures in preventing human rights violations. The study argues that while NGOs play a critical role in advocacy and relief, institutional constraints hinder meaningful action at the international level.

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This paper examines how court structures impact immigrant communities, focusing on access to justice and systemic barriers within the legal process. It analyzes procedural and institutional challenges that disproportionately affect immigrants and argues that these structures often function as obstacles rather than pathways to justice. The study calls for reforms to improve accessibility and equity within the judicial system.

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