Catalysts of Change
Ideas Shaping Tomorrow
Volume 2, Issue 1 — July 2026
Published July 2026
ISSN: 3069-8200
The Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (PJIR) proudly presents its third issue, Catalyst of Change, continuing the journal's commitment to showcasing exceptional interdisciplinary scholarship from undergraduate and early-career researchers around the world.
This issue reflects the transformative power of research to challenge assumptions, advance understanding, and inspire meaningful change across disciplines. Catalyst of Change brings together an exceptional collection of papers spanning fields including artificial intelligence, molecular biology, psychology, environmental science, public policy, law, economics, history, philosophy, literature, art history, biomedical engineering, cybersecurity, aerospace engineering, and global development. Together, these contributions demonstrate how today's most pressing questions are increasingly addressed through interdisciplinary perspectives and innovative approaches.
This issue also highlights the truly global nature of student research. The published papers represent student researchers from institutions around the world, including Phillips Academy, Northeastern University, Dartmouth College, Pennsylvania State University, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and many other leading secondary schools and universities across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
In recognition of outstanding scholarly contributions, Catalyst of Change presents two Best Paper Awards. The first Best Paper Award is presented to "The Relationship Between Adolescents' Likelihood to Judge, Assist, and Punish Under Omission Neglect" by Seojin E. Ban of Phillips Academy, with Dr. Alireza Soltani of Dartmouth College, for its thoughtful experimental investigation into adolescent decision-making and cognitive bias. The second Best Paper Award is presented to "Nascent vs. Steady-State Sequencing Reveals Extensive but Unstable Antisense Transcription in Yeast" by Nishant Chaparala for its rigorous biological research and original contribution to understanding gene transcription dynamics. These papers exemplify the intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and interdisciplinary excellence that define the mission of the Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research.
All accepted articles are published online under ISSN 3069-8200.
Editor’s Note
The beginning of a new volume offers an opportunity to present new scholarship and reflect on the purpose of research. As the Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research enters its second year, we are reminded that knowledge advances through curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to question established ideas.
Today’s most pressing challenges—from technological change and public health to climate resilience and global inequality—rarely belong to a single discipline. Addressing them requires researchers who can connect diverse perspectives, methods, and fields of study.
The articles in this issue reflect that interdisciplinary spirit. Each examines a distinct question, yet together they demonstrate how rigorous scholarship can deepen our understanding of complex problems.
As PJIR continues to grow, we remain committed to supporting undergraduate and early-career researchers whose work challenges assumptions and contributes to meaningful academic dialog. We thank our authors, reviewers, and readers for making this publication possible.
We hope this issue inspires curiosity, encourages new conversations, and highlights the power of building connections across disciplines.
PJIR Editorial Team
Articles in This Issue
Contemporary Feminist Art: How Artists Convey Ideas and How Chinese Adults (18-55) Understand Them
Author: Yi-Chin Lee
Affiliation: Shanghai American School Puxi Campus, Shanghai, China
Abstract: Contemporary art is often criticized for not exhibiting 'true art' values and incapable of addressing social issues effectively despite its historical role as a powerful medium for catalysing social change and articulating complex ideas. This study strives to answer 2 fundamental questions: how do contemporary artists attempt to convey feminist ideas through their work, and how are adults aged 18–55 living in China, with varying artistic interpretation experiences, able to understand and engage with the intended meanings?
Keywords: contemporary art, feminism, audience interpretation, Shanghai adults
Evaluating England’s Plastic Bag Reduction Strategies,
2015 – 2025
Author: Erdem Sarıalioğlu
Affiliations: Üsküdar American Academy, Istanbul, Türkiye, Cambridge Centre for International Research, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Abstract: This study evaluates the effectiveness of England’s single-use plastic bag charge from 2015 to 2025, focusing on the 2015 five-pence levy (initially for large retailers) and the 2021 increase to ten pence (extended to all retailers). Using official DEFRA statistics, I pair descriptive trend analysis with an interrupted time-series model across four outcomes: total bags, bags per capita, charge revenue, and donations to good causes.
Keywords: environmental economics, plastic bag charge, single-use plastics, pigouvian tax, evaluation of consumer behavior and policy
Female Nature or a Patriarchal Threat? Female Sexuality and Agency Construction in Graeco-Roman Myth
Author: Anna Dvořáková
Affiliation: University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Abstract: This essay explores the construction of female sexuality and agency in Graeco-Roman myth as destabilising forces. Specifically, the study examines how female autonomy is often framed as threatening to the established patriarchal boundaries through analysis of four case studies: the Erinyes in Aeschylus’ Eumenides, Hera’s parthenogenetic birth of Typhaon in the Homeric Hymn to Apollo, Circe in Homer’s Odyssey, and Medusa.
Keywords: Greek mythology, monstrosity, sexuality, patriarchy
Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Their Impact on the Mentality and Physicality of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Author: Abigail R. Kim
Affiliation: Valley Christian High School, San Jose, CA, USA
Abstract: The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) among older adults makes it necessary to create public, comprehensive understandings of its management strategies. This literature review analyzes the role of cholinesterase inhibitors—including donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine—in slowing down the cognitive symptoms associated with AD, along with potential emotional side effects that may arise from these medications.
Keywords: rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine, Alzheimer’s disease, cholinesterase inhibitor
Citation for This Issue
Princeton Journal of Interdisciplinary Research. (2026). Volume 2, Issue 1 — Catalysts of Change. PJIR.
https://www.princeton-press.com/pjir/issues/vol-2-issue-1
Open Access Statement
This journal is fully open access. All articles are freely available to read, download, and share without subscription or access barriers. We encourage scholars to cite and engage with the research published here, as such scholarly exchange plays an important role in supporting emerging and early-career researchers and advancing ongoing academic conversations.