UTC ReSEARCH Dialogues 2022

ReSEARCH Dialogues is an annual, two-day, academic conference celebrating research and creative activities. Day one showcases undergraduate and faculty research/ creative projects, and day two features graduate and faculty research/ creative projects. Community college students, and community partners are also invited to present projects on both days.

Local Religions Project

Religions Embodied and Virtual

What is the project?

A collaborative class effort to document faith communities in Chattanooga through student-created 360-degree videos, audio interviews, and websites

An exploration of the challenges and changes that COVID-19 brought to these communities

Immersive student exposure to unfamiliar religious traditions, both in-person and virtual

A comparison of embodied versus virtual experiences in religions, including the use of Virtual Reality to view students' videos

Photos clockwise from top: First Church of Christ, Scientist viewed from campus over ReSEARCH Dialogues signage; Dr. Christopher Johnson, Ph.D., Religion course instructor; ReSEARCH Dialogues event in UTC Tennessee Room; website project on display; Emma Watson and Trish Nguyen, project leads