Graduate Summer Fellows Shine
On October 3, 2023, The Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future hosted an inspiring fall reception to spotlight the remarkable research outcomes of its 2023 Graduate Summer Fellows. The event was a testament to the diverse talents of eight outstanding graduate students, each contributing a unique perspective to the interdisciplinary dialogue.
The research presented included:
- Urban Governance and New Urbanism: Xuyi Zhao, a PhD candidate in Anthropology, took a deep dive into urban governance and community building in a Southwestern Chinese city. Her focus on a model city as a manifestation of New Urbanism under President Xi Jinping revealed the complexities of large-scale infrastructural projects.
- Innovative Wastewater Solutions: Adham Badawy, a second-year PhD candidate in Earth & Environment, introduced the concept of the “wastewater shed” to address climate adaptation. His research emphasized the potential of treated wastewater for agricultural use, proposing a shift to a circular model.
- Microbiology for Sustainable Food: Jason Samaroo, a PhD candidate in Biology, addressed the vital role of microbiology in establishing sustainable food systems. Advocating for microbial-based foods, he pointed out their independence from climate conditions and traditional agriculture.
- Refugee Mental Health and Creative Therapies: Vesta Davis, a graduate student at Boston University’s School for Social Work, explored refugee mental health, emphasizing the impact of forced separation. She advocated for creative approaches like horticulture therapy to address mental health needs in refugee communities.
- Peer Recovery Coaches’ Perspectives: Sophie Lieberman, a third-year Doctorate of Occupational Therapy student, presented insights into the perspectives of peer recovery coaches, focusing on maternal substance use and the separation of the mother-infant dyad.
- Children Learning about Evolution: Aarti Bodas, a third-year PhD student in Psychology, shared her summer research on how children learn about evolution through the evolving minds project.
- Attitudes Toward Governmental Care: Elinore Avni, a fourth-year PhD student in Sociology, explored attitudes toward governmental provision of elder and child care in the US, Germany, and Israel, considering socio-religious contexts.
- Impact of Divisive Policies in Music Education: Sophie Lewis, a second-year DMA student in Music Education, conducted a critical policy analysis on the impact of divisive policies on cultural sustainability in US classrooms.
Amb. Jorge Heine, Research Professor at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and Interim Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, closed the presentations, praising the fellows for their impactful lightning talks.