Each semester, the Initiative on Cities hosts a recurring workshop led by Professor Japonica Brown-Saracino, an Urban Faculty Fellow at the IOC, which invites faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars to explore issues of urban inequality.

These workshops approach urban inequalities from different disciplinary, methodological, and theoretical angles, exploring themes including cities and race, economics, health, politics and governance, education, youth, climate change, resilience, sexualities and gender, marketing, and neighborhoods.

Open to doctoral students and faculty from across the university and the broader Boston area, the workshop brings together students and faculty whose work addresses theoretical and policy concerns. Before each meeting, a working paper is circulated for participants to read. At the workshop, the author will provide a brief presentation that offers background information about their work, while the remainder of the time will be devoted to feedback and conversation.

In Fall 2026, the workshop will be held at the Initiative on Cities (75 Bay State Road) on select Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 PM. Light lunch will be provided.

If you are interested in attending a workshop or presenting in a future one, please contact Natalie Smith at natsmith@bu.edu.