Developing Place-Based Learning Opportunities to Support Climate Change Education in Somerville Public Schools
Principal Investigator: Co-Principal Investigator: This project aims to support meaningful learning in climate science and increase student agency regarding climate change impacts and resilience, with a focus on urban students in communities affected by extreme heat. Boston University researchers, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), and Somerville Public Schools (SPS) will partner to explore and […]
Occupational Heat & Cooling Strategies: A Pilot Study
Principal Investigator: Co-Principal Investigator: This pilot study aims to measure workers’ exposure to and physiological response to heat, and to evaluate the effectiveness of personal cooling strategies in the workplace. In partnership with GreenRoots and collaboration with MassCOSH, the study will recruit up to 10 participants who live in Chelsea and East Boston and who […]
Heat, Health, and Hurricanes: Urban Resilience versus the Long Mortality Shadow of Cooling Disruptions
Principal Investigator: Co-Principal Investigator: Hurricanes are the most costly natural disasters in the United States, with damage to electric power infrastructure leading to prolonged blackouts that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. These blackouts often coincide with the hottest months of the year, heightening the risk of exposure to extreme heat without access to cooling, particularly in […]
Announcing Our 2025 Early Stage Urban Research Award Recipients
The Boston University Initiative on Cities (IOC) is pleased to announce the 2025 recipients of our 11th request for proposals for the Early Stage Urban Research Awards. These seed grants support early-stage academic research focused on urban challenges and urban populations across various disciplines and scopes. These projects also serve as mentorship opportunities for graduate […]
IOC External Advisory Board Member Dominic Moulden Receives Honorary Degree at Boston University’s 2025 Commencement
The Initiative on Cities proudly celebrates our External Advisory Board member, Dominic Moulden, for receiving an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Boston University’s 2025 Commencement. IOC Director Loretta Lees speaks of Moulden’s exceptional character and achievements, stating: “Dominic is a thinker, but he is also a doer; he is a born leader, a collaborator, […]
Matt Lutkins (CAS ’25) Awarded the 2025 Initiative on Cities Student Prize
The Initiative on Cities (IOC) is elated to announce that Matt Lutkins (CAS ’25) has been awarded the IOC Student Prize for the 2025 school year. The $1,000 prize is presented annually to one BU senior graduating with a minor in Urban Studies. We asked Matt to introduce himself and describe his experience as a Terrier and […]
#BUandBoston: What Birds Can Tell Us About Building Healthier Cities for our Communities
This post is part of our #BUandBoston series, highlighting the work and research of BU students, faculty, and staff throughout the City of Boston and the Greater Boston region. Interested in having your Boston-related work featured? Tag us on Instagram or Twitter (@BUonCities) using the #BUandBoston or send us an email at ioc@bu.edu. By: Jaclyn Berman and Sean Waddington The […]
Bridging the Gap Between Applied Meteorology and Climate Science: A White Roof Example
White roof is a widely-studied urban heat mitigation strategy and frequently incorporated into climate adaptation plans by cities. Assessing the effects of white roofs on temperature has often been approached from the perspective of applied meteorology. Here, the white roof problem is reframed to a climate science problem by focusing on the roof surface temperature, incorporating concepts of climate forcing, sensitivity, and feedback, and utilizing a linearized surface energy balance (SEB) model.
“But who takes care of the mom?”: The daily experiences of immigrant mothers navigating health in family life
This study qualitatively explores US immigrant mothers’ daily experiences navigating health in the context of the family budget and wider sociopolitical climate. We conducted semi-structured interviews from 9/2020-1/2021 in English and Spanish with 30 immigrant mothers of young children. Interviews were analyzed using both inductive and deductive analytic strategies.
#BUandBoston: Tackling Urban Heat – Why Accurate Data is Key
This post is part of our #BUandBoston series, highlighting the work and research of BU students, faculty, and staff throughout the City of Boston and the Greater Boston region. Interested in having your Boston-related work featured? Tag us on Instagram or Twitter (@BUonCities) using the #BUandBoston or email us at ioc@bu.edu. By Jaclyn Berman Far […]