Center on Forced Displacement Research Award – UROP

In collaboration with UROP, this award supports research on any aspect of forced displacements and associated topics and disciplines. Topics related to forced displacement might include climate migration, borders, statelessness and citizenship, human trafficking, detention/incarceration, deportation, persecution, etc. Students must conduct research with a mentor who is a CFD Affiliate Faculty Member, and they will participate in a workshop series on ethical conduct of research. Awards will be selected from the general UROP applicant pool in fall, spring, and summer funding cycles.

2026 Awardees

Deirdre Congdon

Project title: The Just Transition Question: When Low-Carbon Industry Meets Legacy Labour Markets

Mentor: Benjamin Sovacool

Jessica Gusmao

Project title: In-Between Borders: The Experience of Brazilians in the U.S. and Return Experiences to Governador Valadares

Mentor: Rachel Nolan

Grace Halepis

Mentor: Margaret Litvin

Riana Richani

Project title: The Transnational Architecture of Trauma:” A Comparative Study of Childhood Narratives in Lebanese and Korean War Literature

Mentor: Margaret Litvin

2025 Awardees

Zoe Solberg

Project title: The Impact of Sanctuary Cities: A Comprehensive Analysis of Policy and Outcomes in the Greater Boston Area. 

Mentor: Tatiana Padilla 

Selena Wang

Project title: Creativity in the Age of Metrics: Doujin creators’ labor, autonomy and sense of self 

Mentor: Joseph Harris 

Gerard Zhou

Project title: An examination in hemispheric differences in the factors that create Chinese Substitution  Errors Project 

Mentor: Jaqueline Liederman 

Seher Arora

Project title: Citizenship by Investment 

Mentor: Noora Lori