August 23, 2026

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Bonds and UMW Student Share Research and Perspective for Virginia Mercury

by

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds and UMW student Viktor Newby (majoring in sociology with a minor in digital studies) shared research and perspective on the widespread use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in data center development. The two sent Freedom of Information Act requests to every Virginia locality with a proposed or existing data center project. They found that the vast majority (25 out of 31 localities) have at least one NDA with a data center company. The story, titled “Data centers, non-disclosure agreements and democracy,” can be found via this link and on the Virginia Mercury website.

Bonds a Panelist on Free Lance-Star Forum Discussing Data Centers 

by

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds served as a panelist in a forum held by The Free Lance-Star to discuss Fredericksburg data centers. The forum panelists include Daren Shumate of Shumate Engineering; Tracy Vargo, a principal partner at Stonebridge; Brent Hunsinger of Friends of the Rappahannock; and Eric Bonds, a University of Mary Washington professor and co-founder of Fossil Free Fredericksburg. Read more. 

Bonds Discusses Data Centers on “Coffee Shop Talk” Podcast

by

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds discusses data centers in Virginia on the podcast Coffee Shop Talk at Eileen’s Bakery & Cafe in downtown Fredericksburg. Bonds appeared on the show with Joey LoMonaco of the Fredericksburg Free Press talking about what LoMonaco calls “the buzzword of the current moment, and the coming decade, if we’re being real – data centers.” Listen to the podcast.

Bonds Provides Commentary to Virginia Mercury on Data Centers

by

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds provided a commentary to the Virginia Mercury titled “Data centers and Virginia’s special kind of denialism.” Bonds wrote “The reelection of Donald Trump shows the continued prevalence of climate denialism, which involves a rejection of the scientific consensus that human activity is changing the climate.” Read the article.

UMW Faculty Share Knowledge and Insight on ‘With Good Reason’ Radio Program

by

Mary Washington faculty share expertise on ‘With Good Reason,’ a national radio program that inspires thought, discovery and action through public engagement and dialogue on topics that shape our world.

Mary Washington faculty share expertise on ‘With Good Reason,’ a national radio program that inspires thought, discovery and action through public engagement and dialogue on topics that shape our world.

Imposter syndrome, photoshopping, the complexities of foreign alliances, political humor, the magic of Disney World and shared musical experiences – these are just a few of the topics on which University of Mary Washington professors have contributed their expertise over the radio airwaves this past year.

UMW is proud to announce the continued success of its collaboration with Virginia Humanities’ With Good Reason radio program, which brings the research and insights of Virginia’s top educators to audiences across the nation. Each week, over 100,000 listeners tune in to 128 radio stations throughout Virginia, Washington, D.C., and 38 states to hear thought-provoking discussions with leading academics. Thousands more listen to the episodes through iTunes podcasts.

The partnership between UMW and Virginia Humanities helps showcase valuable work in Virginia’s higher education system. Since last summer, a dozen Mary Washington faculty members were featured on With Good Reason, either as new guests or in re-aired episodes that continue to draw audiences. Read more.

Bonds Pens Op-Ed on Data Centers for the Fredericksburg Free Press

by

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Associate Professor of Sociology Eric Bonds

Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Eric Bonds discussed the possibility of energy-intensive data centers in Fredericksburg and their climate and environmental impact in an op-ed piece for the Fredericksburg Free Press entitled “My Education in Data-Center Secrecy and Green Illusions.” Read the op-ed.

In addition, recent media mentions for Bonds include:

Local Jurisdictions Have Signed Non-Disclosure Agreements with Data Center Companies (FXBG Advance)
A student research team at the University of Mary Washington wanted to find out whether these agreements exist and if so, how prevalent they are. “We had become aware of how data center developers have been using NDAs in Prince William County and so we wanted to learn how broadly or whether or not they are being used here in our region as well,” said Eric Bonds, professor of sociology and anthropology at UMW, who advised the research team.
FOIA Friday: Professor, students find NDAs between localities and data center companies (Yahoo News; Virginia Mercury)
Eric Bonds, a sociology professor at the University of Mary Washington, and his students Viktor Newby and Victoria Gallaway noticed localities in the state approving data centers, which are the warehouses storing the internet’s processors proliferating with skyrocketing energy and water needs.