Listed in order of appearance: Claudia Dobles Camargo and Vijayeta Singh '23 | |
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Policy School Seminar Series: November Speakers Focused on Climate Action and Social Justice
The Policy School Seminar Series in November featured two exceptional speakers: Claudia Dobles Camargo, Costa Rica's former First Lady and a renowned urbanist, and Vijayeta Singh '23, a seasoned researcher on involuntary resettlement. Claudia Dobles Camargo shared her insights on Costa Rica's groundbreaking initiatives in climate resilience and adaptation, such as the National Decarbonization Plan, and highlighted the importance of expanding the role of the first lady or first gentleman in promoting gender equality. Vijayeta Singh delved into the political economy of resource extraction and its impact on project-affected people, drawing from her extensive research on coal mining and power projects in India.
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Coffee and Conversation Recap: Prof. Bosso Unpacks SNAP's Evolution
Christopher Bosso, Professor of Public Policy and Politics, led a discussion exploring the evolution of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Anchored by his book, "Why SNAP Works: A Political History—and Defense—of the Food Stamp Program," the event provided an analytical lens into SNAP's genesis during the Depression era to its current status as a cornerstone of American food assistance.
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Pictured: Prof. Christopher Bosso | |
Pictured: Gaby Fiorenza-Hagopian | |
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Navigating Northeastern's Co-op Experience: Insights from Gaby Fiorenza-Hagopian
At the Co-op Information Session, CSSH Assistant Cooperative Education Coordinator Gaby Fiorenza-Hagopian explored Northeastern University's co-op model. She addressed aspects of the application process such as resume development and highlighted benefits such as applying classroom learning and building skills. The session concluded by showcasing co-op graduate student placements for 2022-2023, featuring organizations including the New York State Assembly and MIT Energy Initiative.
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EVENT— GRCx Program: Our Shared History, a Report on Systemic Racism and Boston's Climate Opportunities
The GRC's "Our Shared History" report, developed in collaboration with Embrace Boston, seeks to initiate an open dialogue among stakeholders in Boston's future. Focusing on the shift to a resilient post-carbon economy, the report addresses racial injustice patterns, climate inequities, and opportunities for equitable climate action. The GRCx program, featuring Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Prof. Ted Landsmark, and Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, will provide an overview of the report, explore Boston's development, examine the connections between real estate and race, discuss report recommendations, and engage in audience-driven discussions to improve the city's progress and address historical harms.
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Laura Kuhl Guides Climate Finance Dialogue at Green Climate Fund Workshop in South Korea
Laura Kuhl, Professor of Public Policy, Urban Affairs, and International Affairs, recently served as an invited expert at a workshop hosted by the Independent Evaluation Office (IEU) of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in South Korea. Titled "Harnessing Research and Evaluation to Inform the Green Climate Fund," the two-day workshop convened climate finance experts globally to facilitate a dialogue between science and policy. Prof. Kuhl actively participated in thematic sessions addressing challenges and opportunities for the GCF, emerging research, and strategies for bridging the gap between the IEU and the research community. The workshop provided a platform for reflection, lively debate, and valuable insights appreciated by participants, including those from the GCF Secretariat.
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From left to right: Director General of Rwanda Env. Management Authority Juliet Kabera, Prof. Maria Ivanova, and Multilateral Cooperation Officer for Rwanda Env. Management Authority Patrick Umuhoza | |
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Maria Ivanova and Kylee Hendrie '24 at UN Plastics Treaty Negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya
Policy School Director Maria Ivanova, together with Kylee Hendrie ‘24, a fourth-year journalism and media and screen studies student, participated in the United Nations Plastic Treaty negotiations in Nairobi, Kenya in November. Prof. Ivanova, a member of the Rwanda delegation, contributed her expertise in environmental multilateralism and global governance to the negotiations. Hendrie documented the leadership roles played in the negotiations by Rwanda, Peru, Jordan, and other small states. Her documentary is part of Prof. Ivanova’s work on a small-states project funded by grants from the Carnegie Corporation and the Rockefeller Foundation. “As a journalist documenting the negotiations,” said Hendrie, “it was genuinely inspiring to witness this high-profile event and motivating to capture the passion and process of nations as they work toward a united solution against plastic.”
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Timothy Hoff Joined EURAM Scientific Council
Timothy Hoff, Professor of Management, Healthcare Systems, and Public Policy, has been selected to contribute to the European Academy of Management's (EURAM) Scientific Council. This council is tasked with fostering knowledge creation and collegiality among its members, recognizing accomplishments, and serving as an advisory body for EURAM's research-related endeavors.
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ANNSIM'24 Selects Moira Zellner as Keynote Speaker
Moira Zellner, Professor of Public Policy and Urban Affairs and Director of Participatory Modeling and Data Science, has been chosen as the keynote speaker for the 2024 Annual Modeling and Simulation Conference (ANNSIM'24), which will take place at American University in Washington D.C. This conference, scheduled for May 20-23, 2024, gathers professionals, scientists, engineers, educators, and business leaders involved in the development and use of modeling and simulation methodologies. Prof. Zellner's expertise in participatory modeling and data science aligns with the conference's diverse tracks, covering areas such as health and medicine, sustainability, machine learning, and more. Faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to submit papers to the conference and take advantage of the networking opportunities it offers. For more information on the call for papers, submission guidelines, and important dates, please visit the ANNSIM'24 website.
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C2C-Driven Transformation: Boston's Summer Youth Employment Program
Mayor Wu recently announcement transformative changes to Boston's Summer Youth Employment Program, guided by recommendations from Community to Community (C2C) research. Backed by Northeastern University research, the city's $35 million investment has proven successful, employing nearly 12,000 young Bostonians and demonstrating the program's positive impact on employment rates, education outcomes, and criminal justice involvement.
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GreenRoots Facilitates Key Collaborations for C2C
C2C extends a sincere thank you to GreenRoots for facilitating connections with the Barcelona Laboratory and MIT's Healthy Neighborhoods Study. During a recent meeting, representatives, including Professor of Participatory Action Research and Provost Impact Fellow Patrice Williams, had the opportunity to engage with the Barcelona team in exploring collaborative possibilities. This promising partnership marks an exciting chapter in C2C's growth.
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From left to right: Dr. Emily Nicklett, Associate Professor in Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio and Prof. Nasim Baghban Ferdows | |
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Nasim Baghban Ferdows Receives APHA Award for Research on Dementia and Healthcare Access
Nasim Baghban Ferdows, Assistant Professor of Public Policy, Urban Affairs and Health Sciences, received the Rural and Environmental Research Award from the Aging & Public Health Section of the American Public Health Association (APHA) for her paper "The Effect of Physician Supply on Prevalence of Dementia in Rural and Urban Areas." In her study, Ferdows addresses the disparities in healthcare services between rural and urban communities, focusing on the challenging diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia in rural areas due to a shortage of primary care providers. Her research contributes valuable insights to the intersection of healthcare access and dementia prevalence in diverse community settings.
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AASHE 2023 Sustainability Award Finalist: Climate Justice in Higher Education
Alaina Kinol, Elijah Miller, Yutong Si, Hannah Axtell, Ilana Hirschfeld, Sophie Leggett, and Jennie C Stephens, Dean's Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy, have been named finalists for the 2023 AASHE Sustainability Award in the Campus Sustainability Research category for their outstanding work on "Climate justice in higher education." Their research project advocates for a transformative role for colleges and universities in addressing environmental, social, and economic health. Recognizing outstanding scholarship, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) celebrates leaders in the higher education sustainability movement. The winners will be honored during a ceremony on December 7, 2023. Lead author Alaina Kinol expressed gratitude for the nomination, emphasizing the importance of centering climate justice in higher education's future.
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From left to right: Prof. Nishith Prakash and Prof. Sara Constantino | |
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World Bank Funds Study on Intergenerational Climate Education Impact in Bihar, India
With support from a new World Bank grant, Nishith Prakash, Sara Constantino, Nirajana Mishra, and external colleagues are utilizing a randomized control trial (RCT) to assess the effects of a one-month environmental and climate education curriculum in Bihar, India. The study aims to understand the intergenerational spillovers of climate knowledge, preferences, and behaviors within households, investigating whether such knowledge is more effectively transmitted from children to parents or vice versa. Recognizing families as crucial socialization agents, the research explores their potential to both uphold the status quo and drive social change. Unlike traditional studies focusing on parental influence, this project suggests that climate change learning may likely flow from children to parents, given children's heightened concern about climate issues and their influence on parental climate awareness.
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Boston's Green Future: A $200,000 Initiative Led by The Dukakis Center and C2C
The Dukakis Center and Community to Community (C2C) have secured a $200,000 contract from the City of Boston for a Green New Deal needs assessment, led by PI Joan Fitzgerald and co-PI Alicia Modestino. Subcontractors include Gregory King of TSK Energy Solutions LLC and the Burning Glass Institute. Maria Salim ’25 and Madeline Craig-Scheckman ‘29, master’s and PhD students respectively, will contribute to the year-long project. Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Boston’s Green New Deal Director, describes it as the final step in climate action planning. The assessment involves analyzing green economy skills for Boston's climate goals and assessing existing programs and community engagement. Two Madison Park High School students will join the team as co-op students.
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From left to right: Director General of Rwanda Env. Management Authority Juliet Kabera, Prof. Maria Ivanova, Minister of Environment Jeanne D'Arc Mujawamariya, Clara Copp-LaRocque '23, and Lucas O'Reilly '24 | |
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Policy School's Impact at WCRP Open Science Conference 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda
Two Policy School students took part, together with Policy School Director Maria Ivanova, in the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Open Science Conference 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda in October. Participants absorbed the latest in climate science, explored potential collaborations, connected with global policymakers, and significantly elevated the Policy School's stature in the international climate policy arena. “With our expertise and resources,” said MPA student Clara Copp-LaRocque ‘23, “the Policy School is well-equipped to make a crucial contribution in the global effort to counter climate change.” PhD student Mohsin Khan '25 presented a research paper online entitled “Investigating Typology of Adaptation Strategies of Communities towards Food Insecurity in Pakistan; Application of Grounded Theory.” His study identified crucial strategies, such as government assistance programs and social networks, to mitigate climate-related challenges, addressing distributional injustice and growing food insecurity.
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Pictured: Mohsin Khan '25 | |
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Mohsin Khan at the 5th Annual Global Environmental Justice Conference at Yale University
PhD student Mohsin Khan '25 was invited to the 5th Annual Global Environmental Justice Conference at the Yale School of the Environment. The conference focused on joy as a catalyst for sustainable action, emphasizing community empowerment, resilience, and self-care in addressing climate inequities and policy discrimination. Mohsin, fully funded for his participation, shared insights on global and U.S. initiatives, discussing environmental justice, food insecurity, and infrastructural inequality in the Global South.
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School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs | |
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