The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society brings together all members of our campus community to address society’s most challenging problems, particularly in the areas of energy, health, and the environment. Through interdisciplinary scholarship, initiatives, courses, and events, we enhance Boston College’s rich history of working across disciplines to develop new knowledge that makes a real-world impact.
BC Delegates off to Baku for COP29
Boston College is an official Observer Organization for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). COP plays an active role in global climate change policymaking. The University has sent delegations to COP26, COP27, and COP28, and is continuing its involvement at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan this November. The COP29 delegation includes 18 members—four faculty, six graduate students, seven undergraduate students, and one staff member. The Schiller Institute is dedicated to extending Boston College’s investment in COP participation through outreach programming that engages students, faculty, and the wider community. We recently hosted two Broadcasts from Baku where the delegation virtually connected with members of the BC community while they were on the ground.
Schiller Core Faculty: Hanqin Tian
Founded through a partnership between the Global Carbon Project (GCP) and the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society at Boston College, GCPBoston and CES were inaugurated on December 5, 2023. This newsletter highlights key research and activities conducted throughout 2024.
Schiller Core Faculty: Yi Ming
Yi Ming, Institute Professor of Climate Science and Society and professor in Earth & Environmental Sciences, led the organization of the 2024 Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMiP) meeting. Climate scientists from around the world gathered at Boston College this summer to discuss clouds and cloud cover, one of the most complicated variables in predicting the course and effects of climate change. There were approximately 160 scientists in attendance – from physicists to environmental and atmospheric science to representatives from NASA, DOE, NOAA, and the European Space Agency.
Schiller Core Faculty: Jier Huang
Jier Huang, the Institute’s professor focusing on renewable energy and sustainability and associate professor in Chemistry, is pioneering solar-powered photocatalysis to combat climate change. Inspired by photosynthesis, her work transforms carbon dioxide into less harmful gases and splits water molecules into hydrogen, a cleaner alternative to natural gas. Her research is funded by grants, including a $400,000 grant from the US Department of Energy, and advanced through interdisciplinary collaborations. Dr. Huang’s innovative work reduces greenhouse gases and creates new renewable energy technologies.
The Schiller Institute offers two types of seed grants for BC faculty: Grants for Exploratory Collaborative Research (SI-GECS) and Grants for Research in Targeted and Emerging Areas (SI-RITEA). SI-GECS grants support collaborative, interdisciplinary projects between two or more faculty members in the areas of energy, environment, and health. SI-RITEA grants support projects featuring the Global South and collaborations with US-based, non-academic partners. The Institute awarded grants to 12 projects for approximately $430,000 this year, which are described in the article below. The SI-GECS and SI-RITEA pages have all of the current and past projects.
Schiller Faculty Affiliate: Liane Young
Building on a Schiller Institute grant, Professor of Psychology and Schiller Faculty Affiliate Liane Young and 5th-year graduate student Isaac Handley-Miner received funding from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for their project, Truth in the Age of Large Language Models. This research examines how people determine truth, whether AI models reach similar conclusions, and how they should evaluate truth in fields like science, law, and journalism.
Schiller Faculty Affiliate: Shawn McGuffey
Professor of Sociology, former Director of African and African Diaspora Studies, and Schiller Faculty Affiliate C. Shawn McGuffey’s award-winning research examines Kentucky’s role in bell hooks’ Black feminist theorization. Using a feminist geographical framework, the study analyzes hooks’ memoir, poetry, and essays to explore homemaking, subjectivity, and the politics of location. Winner of the 2023 Best Article Award from the Southeastern Division of the American Association of Geographers.
Schiller Faculty Affiliate: Gergana Nenkov
Professor of Marketing and Schiller Faculty Affiliate Gernana Nenkov has been named a co-chair for the 2nd Research Innovations in Sustainable Marketing Global Symposium (RISM2025) in collaboration with the European Marketing Academy (EMAC). This premier event brings together global scholars and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge research and strategies for sustainable marketing.
Schiller Faculty Affiliate: Mo Jones-Jang
Professor of Communication and Schiller Faculty Affiliate Mo Jones-Jang has received the NSF Science of Science Award (2024–2027) for research on strengthening public trust in science. This project investigates how misinformation and current fact-checking approaches impact trust, developing evidence-based strategies for effective science communication in the post-truth era.
Schiller Faculty Affiliate: Avneet Hira
Professor of Human-Centered Engineering, Sabet Family Dean’s Faculty Fellow, and Schiller Faculty Affiliate Avneet Hira leads a NSF-funded Collaboratory project that provides underserved youth with hands-on STEM learning experiences. This initiative fosters creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills, helping students build confidence and envision futures in STEM fields.
Applications are now open for funding to support faculty interdisciplinary research and projects that foster partnerships in the Global South and Massachusetts.
The Schiller Institute Grants for Exploratory Collaborative Research (SI-GECS) fund collaborative research and creative activities within the Schiller Institute’s core focus areas: energy, the natural environment, and health.
The Schiller Institute Grants for Research in Targeted and Emerging Areas (SI-RITEA) support timely and specialized research topics, updated annually to reflect current priorities.
The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society
245 Beacon St.
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-552-3503
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