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Dissertation Defense Dr. James Maddirala, Director Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change, Ph.D. Program invites you to the Public for Chinwe O. Osaze Topic: Join via Zoom https://uvi- edu.zoom.us/j/94816752414? pwd=bEdtOWJTcEZaZERoY09ad2JUZ XdQUT09 Meeting ID: 948 1675 2414 Passcode: 918601 Monday, April 22, 2024 2:00 PM AST TOPIC “Exploring the lived experiences of 18-24 year-olds living adjacent to the oil refinery on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Case Study ” ABSTRACT Environmental justice issues transcend geographical boundaries, exerting a pervasive influence on communities worldwide, with the Caribbean region being no exception . Within this context, marginalized communities, often comprising individuals of color or low socioeconomic status, shoulder the disproportionate burden of environmental pollution. This interpretive phenomenological case study, grounded in phenomenology, environmental justice, and critical pedagogy, examines the lived experiences of young adults grappling with the effects of airborne oil emissions in frontline communities proximate to an oil refinery on the Caribbean island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The research inquiry will investigate how formal and informal platforms for learning cultivate youth agency and activism in response to local environmental justice concerns. By employing an analytical framework encompassing the interpretation of artifacts, interviews, and focus group discussions, the study aims to unearth the intricate interplay between acquiring knowledge relevant to thei r ABSTRACT specific environmental circumstance and their ensuing propensity for agency and activism. The foundation of the research rests upon an examination of the scholarl y works within the domain of environmental justice and injustice, exploring their effec ts on individuals in frontline communities as well as the engagement of youth wit hin such communities. Additionally, the study aims to discern the importance of educa tion and community engagement, delving deeply into relevant literature encompa ssing critical pedagogy and phenomenological research. Despite the global significa nce of environmental justice, the experiential insights of individuals living in fr ontline communities remain largely uncharted. This study will contribute to the body of Caribbean specific environmental justice literature, mainly focused on the USVI, thereby contributing significantly to the broader international d ialogue on environmental justice. By amplifying the voices of this generation, the research will illuminate the overarching implications of industrial pollution on marginalized ABSTRACT communities. Beyond its local significance, this inquiry will extend its relevance to the global discourse on environmental justice, accentuating the urgency for sustainabl e resolutions. Keywords: environmental justice, environmental injustice, lived experiences, oil refinery emissions, youth agency, youth activism, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Dissertation Committee Ken Kempner, Ph.D. Committee Chair Sheila Gregory, Ph.D. Committee Member Joseph Stevenson, Ph.D. Committee Member Mark Wenner, Ph.D. committee Member Diana Osborne, Ph.D. Committee Member James Maddirala, Ph.D. Program Director and Faculty Sponsor