Announcing College of Arts and Letters Seed Grants to Support Faculty Research

Four faculty members from ISU’s College of Arts and Letters have been awarded 2025–2026 internal seed grants to launch innovative research and creative projects spanning rural politics, archaeology, environmental science, and contemporary philosophy.

2025–2026 Faculty Seed Grant Program Invests in Innovation and Impact

Idaho State University’s Office for Research has announced the recipients of the 2025–2026 Internal Seed Grant Program, a competitive initiative that supports faculty in launching new or refocused research, scholarly, or creative projects with strong potential for external funding.

After a rigorous review process by the ISU Research Council, four faculty members from the College of Arts and Letters have been awarded seed funding for diverse, interdisciplinary projects that span political science, anthropology, history, art, and environmental science.

Dr. Colin Johnson – Department of Political Science

Project Title: Political Consequences of Population Decline in Rural Communities

Dr. Colin Johnson’s research investigates how long-term population decline shapes political behavior and social structures in rural areas, both in the Intermountain West and the Baltic States.

“This project studies the effects population shrink has on rural communities' social and political realities through two qualitative fieldwork projects,” Johnson says. One phase focuses on rural communities in the western U.S., the other on towns in Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, where population loss has been significant since EU accession. “These rural communities are at the forefront of population shrink, and by studying communities at different stages we can learn more about the potential social consequences of this global demographic reality.”

Johnson says that the grant marks a significant shift in his research. “I am immensely grateful for the support in our intellectual community at ISU for new questions that researchers wish to investigate,” he says. “I'm particularly excited by the possibilities for the study of the Intermountain West, because it could offer research possibilities for students at ISU and provide a linkage between my international research and our regional communities.”

Dr. Charles “Andy” Speer – Department of Anthropology and Languages

Project Title: A Portable Laser Ablation Prototype Unit for In-Field Sampling of Artifacts and Knappable Materials

Dr. Andy Speer’s interdisciplinary project focuses on the development of a mobile laser ablation prototype to improve archaeological fieldwork by enabling high-precision, non-destructive sampling directly on-location. The equipment could revolutionize the way archaeologists study and preserve cultural heritage materials.

By reducing the need to transport fragile artifacts, Speer says the unit could significantly expand access for researchers, enabling them to capture samples on-location and in museum collections without transporting delicate or culturally sensitive materials, opening new possibilities for collaboration and access.

Dr. Sarah Robey (History), Dr. Bruce Finney (Geosciences), and Dr. Nicholas Baudinette (Biological Sciences)

Project Title: Assessing Impacts of Human Waste on the Nitrogen Cycle in Wilderness Areas of North America: A Pilot Study in Yosemite National Park

This collaborative pilot study explores the under-researched environmental consequences of human waste in protected wilderness areas. By focusing on nitrogen cycle disruptions in ecosystems like Yosemite National Park, the team hopes to inform sustainable practices for outdoor recreation.

Dr. Jonathan Fardy – Department of Art

Project Title: Translating Laruelle and Hosting a Conference at ISU

Dr. Jonathan Fardy’s seed grant supports archival research in Paris and the organization of an international conference at ISU on the work of contemporary French philosopher François Laruelle.

“The Faculty Seed Grant will assist in the funding of a two-part project,” Fardy explained. The first part involves traveling to Paris to research the archives of the late philosopher, François Laruelle. Secondly, the project will bring international scholars to the ISU campus which will contribute to broader discussions in contemporary philosophy and art theory.

Fardy says, “the grant means a lot to me personally and professionally. I am proud to represent ISU in this exciting field of research!”