Editor's notes

It is a pleasure to (finally) publish the third volume of Access*: Interdisciplinary Journal of Student Research and Scholarship. This year’s volume comprises four articles representing student research and writing from disciplines across campus. These articles take on topics from ecological considerations for international shipping, reflections on the critiques of feminisms among women in the Kurdish diaspora, issues of international law surrounding cyber spaces, to representations of disability in film. Each is fascinating in its own right, but their timeliness for this present moment is undoubtedly serendipitous. It certainly could not have been planned! And it is my pleasure to introduce you to these articles and their authors.

Our first article, Ballasted: Stabilizing Ships and Destabilizing Seas, was written by UW Tacoma alum Tracie Barry. Barry’s article examines the history of ballast water as a point of transfer for invasive species across the globe, taking a look, in particular at both US and international regulations that are attempting to combat their further spread. The article speaks to the importance of international efforts to stop or slow the spread of these species in order to protect native species and economies.

Our second article, Critique of a Hegemonic View of Feminism: A Reflection, comes to Access* by way of visiting scholar Elsa Muñoz-García, a native of Spain and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Barcelona. As a small part of her larger dissertation research, Muñoz-García’s article has taken an ethnographic approach—through interview and conversations—to a consideration of critiques of western feminisms with women in the Kurdish diaspora. With the current plight of the Kurdish people in Syria centered on the world stage, Muñoz-García’s discussion of Kurdish history and populations scattered through Europe are especially timely, as is her reflection on their critique of western feminisms.

Brisa Mendez’ article, Better Dead than Disabled: Analysis of ‘Me Before You,’ examines the depiction of disability in film through a sociological lens. Claiming that Hollywood draws those with disabilities as vulnerable and a drain on social resources, UW Tacoma alum Mendez examines the film “Me before You” to uncover the realities of what Hollywood really thinks of the disabled community.

And finally, recent UW Tacoma graduate Adan Espino Jr. contemplates The Next Frontier: Cyberspace in Current International Law. In a general overview of the landscape of cyberspace in international law and diplomacy, Espino lays out both current and future concerns over issues that cannot be avoided any longer. Although current law is foundational to interpretations that over advancing technology, Espino’s hope is that a legal consensus can be built even as cyber technologies continue to develop.

As this volume makes its debut, I would like to briefly thank my editorial board—dedicated librarians, writing center staff, and faculty from across the disciplines at University of Washington Tacoma—all of whom bore summer rounds of revision with grace and dedication. I’d also like to thank my assistant editors, Dr. Rebecca de Guzman and especially James Hannes, who stepped in and picked up the slack after two earlier assistant editors moved off toward graduate school. I could not have done this without any of you. Thank you!