The Collins College of Professional Studies Faculty and Student Research
Research conducted at The Collins College of Professional Studies has experienced significant growth over the past few years, reflecting the diverse and innovative work of our faculty and students. Our community is actively exploring research topics that address real-world challenges and shape the future of their respective industries. Below are examples of the many areas of research currently being pursued.
Research News from CCPS
Dr. Elisabeth Fondren, Associate Professor of Journalism
Dr. Elisabeth Fondren, associate professor at St. John’s University, uses The New York Public Library’s archives to study international journalism, propaganda, censorship, and press freedom from World War I to the Cold War. Her research, published in leading journals, draws on rare materials like Institute for Propaganda Analysis records and WWII leaflets to explore how journalists, audiences, and underrepresented voices engaged with and countered propaganda—a topic she sees as increasingly vital in today’s digital age.
Joshua Peguero, Computer Science
Joshua Peguero, a first-year Computer Science major in the Collins College of Professional Studies, presented his research at the 39th Annual AAAI Conference in Philadelphia, where he and his team developed a neural network to analyze NYC subway data (2017–2022). Their model, with a 6% margin of error, predicts how new station openings affect ridership, showing that smaller stations see the greatest shifts. This work offers city planners a data-driven tool for improving transit efficiency. At the conference, Joshua engaged in an AI for Urban Planning workshop, connecting with experts and exploring applications of AI in transportation, which strengthened his commitment to using AI for social good.
Research Areas
General Research Topics
- Machine Learning , Artificial Intelligence, Human Robert Interaction and NeuroScience
- Medical Informatics, Bio-Informatics and Data Mining
- Social Computing, Computer Science Education and Applications of Computer Science
- Management of Information Systems
- Knowledge Management Systems
General Research Topics
- Communication and Culture
- Feminism and Media
- Philosophy of Communication And Kiergegaard
- Computational Communication
- Cinematic Philosophy
- Principles of Catholic Social Teaching as Ethical Paradigm in Journalism
- The Idea of Peacebuilding in the Context of Cyber Warfare
- The Notion of Identity in a Digital Ecology
- Internationalization of Ethics vs. Ethics as Being Organically Local
- Digital Branding
General Research Topics
- Issues in Law Practice, including: Bankruptcy, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Employment Law, Entertainment Law, Estate Planning, Fashion Law, Finance Law, Litigation Procedure, and Real Estate
- Issues in Law and Public Policy, including: issues of Law and Religion and Issues of Law and Diversity and Inclusion
- Best practices in Undergraduate Legal Education
- Best Practices in Career and Pre-Professional Advisement and Development
General Research Topics
- Economics of Intercollegiate Sport
- Sports and Popular Culture
- Sport Analytics and Statistics
- Sport and Disability
- Sport for Economic Development and Social Justice
Faculty Experts
Many of our faculty members are experts in a variety of areas. Click here to learn more about their individual expertise.
CCPS Centers and Institutes for Research
The University’s diverse research centers and institutes foster innovation and collaboration across disciplines.
Cyber Security Center of Academic Excellence
The St. John’s University Cybersecurity Center is a university-wide hub offering nationally recognized programs validated by the DHS and NSA, providing students with resources, support, and community connections to prepare them for impactful careers in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity field.
Health Data Science Research Lab
The Health Data Science Research Lab leads research at the intersection of Biomedical Informatics, Explainable AI, Knowledge Graphs, Data Science, and Medical Image Processing. They’re dedicated to developing trustworthy AI systems and data-driven solutions that advance patient care, improve health outcomes, and shape the future of healthcare.
Institute for International Communication
IICM connects ideas, people, and practice through cutting-edge research, dynamic symposia, and international conferences. By uniting students, scholars, and industry leaders, we spark dialogue on critical issues while creating powerful networking and collaboration opportunities.
Institute for Data Science
The Institute for Data Science brings together statistics, computer science, and diverse disciplines to turn complex data into powerful solutions. From healthcare and biomedical informatics to marketing and cognitive science, we drive innovation through research, collaboration, and real-world application.
Institute of Interdisciplinary Sport Research
The IISR explores the social, economic, and performance dimensions of sport through collaboration and applied research. From advancing Olympism and social justice to supporting veterans, empowering women in sport, innovating in analytics and esports, and addressing legal issues in athletics, the Institute drives meaningful impact and inspires the next generation of leaders in sport.
Fashion Institute
The Fashion Institute explores where design, technology, and business meet in the global fashion industry. From fair trade and labor rights to brand ownership, innovation, and global regulation, the Institute challenges students to think critically about the industry’s future. By connecting fashion to media, economics, culture, and communication, it prepares the next generation of leaders to shape a more responsible and inclusive fashion world.
Instructional Television, Film and Radio Center
The Television, Film, and Radio Center is a state-of-the-art HD production facility with professional cameras, lighting, audio, green screen, and editing labs, supporting broadcast-quality studio and on-location projects.