WELCOME
Welcome to my portfolio. This website serves as a central hub for my work, showcasing the projects I’ve undertaken, the activities I’m passionate about, and the milestones I’ve achieved throughout my professional journey. My work is interdisciplinary spanning disaster education and preparedness, political communication, and history. Almost every project reflects my commitment to fostering community, promoting cross-cultural understanding, and inspiring lifelong learning.
Feel free to browse through my portfolio, read about the projects I’ve been a part of, or get in touch if you’d like to collaborate or learn more.
Thank you for visiting!
Bethany Meidinger
PhD student, lecturer, translator, narrator
A first generation university graduate hailing from the Rust Belt and now exploring the globe as a dedicated researcher, educator, and cultural advocate who is passionate about fostering connections and resilience. With a strong academic background and extensive teaching experience, she has participated in various projects that bridge communities and empower individuals.
She has collaborated with diverse groups, ranging from local organizations to international teams, providing research insights, conducting educational workshops, and developing creative solutions that make a tangible difference.
In her personal life, Bethany enjoys ikebana, dancing, and design, bringing the same enthusiasm and curiosity to her hobbies as she does to her professional endeavors.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University
2024-Present
Lecturer
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) / Shiga University
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Japanese Feudal History
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Modernizing Ancient Japan
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Culture and Cuisine
2023-Present
Lecturer
Konan Women’s University
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Eikaiwa II-B
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English Active Language Learning
2023-Present
Lecturer
University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences
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English Cafe
2023-Present
Lecturer
Mukogawa Women's College
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Oral Communication
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English Plaza
2023-Present
Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant
Kobe University Graduate School of Law
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Independent Research on Social Issues
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Enjoy English
Other
2019-Present
Director of Educational Programs
MUSE English Communications
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Pre-K to Junior High
2019-Present
Kobe City Silver College English Club
Instructor
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English Salon
2023-Present
Instructor
APLIS
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Dispatch to Jr. and Sr. high schools.
2023-Present
Course Organizer/Lecturer
CARI
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Assisted in the planning and execution vist of a study visit for government officials from ASEAN member states participating in the AHA Centre's Executive Leadership in Emergency and Disaster Management for ASEAN Programme.
RESEARCH
Disaster Information Seeking and Preventative Behaviors of Foreign Residents in Kobe City
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The 16th Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Tsunami Disaster Recovery (AIWEST-DR 2024)
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Kobe University Presentation Session on Co-creation Research in Different Fields
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Nov. 2024
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Mar. 2024
School Disaster Resiliency and Recovery in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi
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The 16th Aceh International Workshop and Expo on Sustainable Tsunami Disaster Recovery (AIWEST-DR 2023)
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Oct. 2023
The Ferguson Effect: A Political Linguistics Approach
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80th Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference
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Apr. 2023
A Study on the Expressions of Political Efficacy and NPO Participation Following the Great East Japan Earthquake
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Kobe University Graduate School of Law Master's Thesis
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Feb. 2022
Political Instability and Economic Growth: How Politics Affect the Wealth of Nations with Dr. David Kershaw
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The 75th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association
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The Symposium for Student Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement
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Pi Sigma Alpha National Student Research Conference
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Apr. 2014
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Apr. 2014
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Feb. 2014
How Colonial Policy Continues to Influence Japanese-South Korean Relations
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The Second Annual Pittsburgh Asia Consortium Undergraduate Research Conference
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Asian Studies Development Program Conference
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Mar. 2014
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Mar. 2014
Time to Move On? Voting Barriers in Preclearance and Non-Preclearance States with Dr. David Kershaw
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The 74th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association
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Apr. 2013
Kobe University Graduate School of Law
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Dr. Naofumi Fujimura
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​Mar. 2024
Kobe University Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
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Dr. Aiko Sakurai
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Dr. Masato Nakahara
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Dr. Jun Matsunami
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Oct. 2023
Kobe University Campus Asia
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Under Dr. Masato Nakahara
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Apr. 2023
Waseda University
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Dr. Tetsuro Kobayashi
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Feb. 2022
Tokoha University
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Dr. Koichi Sugimura
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Apr. 2014
Slipery Rock University of Pennsylvania
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Dr. David Kershaw
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Mar. 2014
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Mar. 2014
EDUCATION
2022-Present
Kobe, Japan
2020-2022
Kobe, Japan
2019-2020
Kobe University Graduate School of Law
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Law and Politics - Researcher Development Course
Kobe University Student Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies
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M.A. in Political Science (Valedictorian, summa cum laude)
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Research Student
2017-2019
Kobe, Japan
Kobe Toyo Japanese College
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Japanese language, graduated with honors
2011-2013
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
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B.A. in Political Science; Minor in International Affairs (summa cum laude)
2013
Saga, Japan
Saga University
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Creating Innovation for Sustainability in Young Leaders Program
2012
Washington, D.C.
2009-2011
Monaca, Pennsylvania
Marquette University
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Les Aspin Center for Government Washington, D.C. Program
Community College of Beaver County
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A.A. in Social Sciences (summa cum laude)
SKILLS
Quantitative Analysis
[STATA, R, SPSS, Python]
Qualitative Research
[Structured and semi-structured interview design]
Survey Design
[Qualtrics, KoboToolbox, Google Forms]
Language
English - Native
Japanese - Advanced (N1)
Teaching
[Preparatory Course for University Instructors Certificate of Completion]
Online Teaching
[Canvas, Moodle, Google Classroom]
Graphic Design
[Affinity Photo, Designer, Publisher ]
First Aid & Disaster Prevention
[Complete bosaishi training]
Ikebana
Ohara School Teaching Assistant 2