{"id":42172,"date":"2021-03-11T15:52:38","date_gmt":"2021-03-11T20:52:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/?page_id=42172"},"modified":"2026-08-04T19:11:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T23:11:42","slug":"social-impact-research-fund","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/cgs\/citl\/social-impact-research-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Impact Research Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"

Believing students\u2019 ideas and perspectives can generate innovative and novel thinking in research, design, and implementation, alumnus Gary A. Kraut (CGS \u201964, COM \u201966) established the Social Impact Research Fund (SIRF) to give students the resources they need to implement their research projects.\u00a0The grant <\/span>is awarded annually to CGS students who conceive and execute their projects in consultation with a CGS faculty mentor. The aim is to support projects that make a positive impact on society sooner rather than later either locally or even nationally\/internationally.\u00a0Student <\/span>awardees work with the Center for Interdisciplinary Teaching & Learning to execute their projects in consultation with their CGS faculty mentor. Information on ongoing SIRF projects, as well as details on how to apply for a SIRF grant, are available below.<\/p>\n

How to Apply for a SIRF Grant<\/h2>\n

Click here<\/a> for answers to frequently asked questions and details about how to apply for the SIRF grant.<\/p>\n

SIRF Projects<\/h2>\n

Human Rights, Too Many Definitions, Too Little Consensus: A Podcast Exploring Expert Perspectives and Current Challenges<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
Martina Nacach Cowan Ros<\/h6>\n

Since the 1940s, the concept of human rights has become a universally colloquial term, difficult to define and even harder to protect.<\/span> The Definition: Looking for Universal Human Rights <\/i>is a\u00a0podcast series that aims to open up the conversation by inviting professionals from a range of disciplines to share how human rights are understood, applied, and challenged within their respective fields, alongside worksheets, transcripts, translations, and other engagement resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

Analytical Study of Patient Experiences and Prevention Strategies in Management of Post-Surgical Site Infections<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
Raphaela Cardenas<\/h6>\n

My project focuses on informing the public of actions they can take before and after surgery in order to prevent surgical site infections (SSI)\u2014as well as providing a space for patients to recount their own experience with SSI. This was inspired by a family member’s experience with SSI and the effects it has had on her and my family. My aim is to reduce SSI by providing information on preventive methods that patients can implement themselves. My final project will consist of a public website where all this information can easily be accessed.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Using Visuals to Combat Language Barriers in Mental Health Care: Drawing on Information Graphics and Graphic Medicine to Aid Medical Care of Boston-area Patients with Limited English Proficiency<\/span><\/em><\/h4>\n
Jessica Lee<\/h6>\n

This project aims to investigate and improve health outcomes for people with limited English proficiency in Boston, suggesting the use of graphics. More specifically, the graphics suggested are images with limited words to convey information and bridge the gap between providers’ and patients’ comprehension with medical language.<\/p>\n