SPH studies link infertility to living in redlined neighborhood, decades after redlining outlawed
Two studies led by researchers at Boston University’s School of Public Health are the first to identify a connection between redlining, a historically racist housing policy, and a lower likelihood of pregnancy. “Our hypothesis here was that we know that Black populations have higher rates of infertility. We know they’re also more likely to be exposed to historical neighborhood redlining,” said Mary Willis, an assistant professor of epidemiology at SPH who co-authored the first paper and was first author on the second.
CDS prepares to send off first ever matriculant students, reflects on growth
Every college at Boston University celebrates its graduating class each May— but for members of Computing and Data Sciences, the class of 2026 is particularly special.
The weekend of May 14, CDS will celebrate the graduation of its first-ever undergraduate class. The cohort first entered the program in 2022, and have helped develop CDS in its formative years since its founding in 2019.
‘That’s selective enforcement’: BU professors mobilize after University removes pride flags during spring break
Faculty are speaking out against Boston University’s signage policy amid ongoing disagreements over the removal of public-facing pride flags in office windows, an issue faculty say is an unnecessary breach of free speech. Several faculty members sent letters to BU President Melissa Gilliam after pride flags were stripped from the windows of three campus locations, including the office of one professor who has a storied history with the signage policy, while Commonwealth Avenue was vacant for spring break.
BU professor to lead upcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Benjamin Sovacool, director of the Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability and a professor in BU’s Department of Earth and Environment, is returning to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as a coordinating lead author in the panel’s seventh assessment report.
‘We need better communication’: MISI summit tackles climate communication crisis, marks center’s opening
The Center for Media Innovation and Social Impact launched Friday with a conference titled “Communicating Climate,” which aimed to explore efficient methods of conveying messages regarding climate change to a modern audience. Scientists, journalists, artists and activists across Boston gathered at the BU Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences building to discuss topics ranging from local policy and sociology of behavior to the importance of storytelling amid growing skepticism of the media.
BU faculty uncover what is little known about the production and destruction of solar technology
Dunlap, a Boston University postdoctoral research scientist, and Sovacool, a BU earth and environment professor, titled their project “Transformational Energy Justice Across the Supply Chain,” which aimed to explore the hidden impacts of the solar energy industry, Sovacool said.
Red line shutdown causes disruption to student commutes, MBTA looks for new solutions
Despite last year’s Red Line shutdown, MBTA announced that it will be temporarily closing the line again to perform “critical track renewal work” and necessary repairs throughout April, according to its website.
An entrance to the Harvard Red Line station. The Red Line will be closed for track maintenance and replaced with shuttle bus and train services during April. MBTA ran its usual shuttle bus from April 1 to April 9, and later switched to a shuttle train which will run until April 30. Deirdre Habershaw, Chief of Staff to the Chief Operating Officer at MBTA, said these closures reduce the cost for the MBTA since shuttle buses are “extremely expensive to run,” especially during the week.
Menino procession travels throughout city to Hyde Park funeral
Thousands of people throughout the Commonwealth paid their final respect to former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Monday and stood on the streets of Boston as his funeral procession drove past several locations that were important during his life.
Thomas Menino, former Boston mayor, has died at age 71
Former Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and co-director of the Initiative on Cities at Boston University died Thursday. He was 71 and diagnosed with an advanced cancer shortly after leaving office in January.
Menino settles into brownstone on Bay State Road for position at BU
After 20 years spent in City Hall Square, former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino settled into his new quarters Monday at 75 Bay State Road on the Boston University campus.
Menino has transitioned from mayor of a major city to co-director of BU’s Initiative on Cities, an extended project that will explore the successes of major cities in order to lend resources and insight to struggling cities across the world.