The Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society brings together all members of our campus community to address society鈥檚 most challenging problems, particularly in the areas of energy, health, and the environment. Through interdisciplinary scholarship, initiatives, courses, and events, we enhance AV诊所 College鈥檚 rich history of working across disciplines to develop new knowledge that makes a real-world impact.
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COP29 Symposium
Join us to hear from our听COP29 delegation, which included four faculty, six graduate students, seven undergraduate students, and one staff member. At the symposium, you鈥檒l have an opportunity to hear about delegates鈥� experiences, learn more about COP, and discover how you can apply to be part of the COP30 delegation. Our keynote speaker will be听Esquire Henry, a passionate youth advocate and community leader from Antigua.
AV诊所 College is an official Observer Organization for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP). COP plays an active role in global climate change policymaking.听The University has sent delegations to the past four conferences听(COP26, COP27, COP28 and COP29).听
Schiller Core Faculty:听Hanqin Tian
Founded through a partnership between the Global Carbon Project (GCP) and the Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society at AV诊所 College, GCPAV诊所 and CES were inaugurated on December 5, 2023. This newsletter highlights key research and activities conducted throughout 2024.听
Schiller Core Faculty:听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 AV诊所 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 鈥� from physicists to environmental and atmospheric science to representatives from NASA, DOE, NOAA, and the European Space Agency.听听
Schiller Core Faculty:听Jier Huang
Jier Huang, the Institute鈥檚 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.听Dr. Huang鈥檚 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听SI-GECS听and听SI-RITEA听pages have all of the current and past projects.听
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鈥檚 award-winning research examines Kentucky鈥檚 role in bell hooks鈥� Black feminist theorization. Using a feminist geographical framework, the study analyzes hooks鈥� 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.听
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鈥�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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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
schiller.institute@bc.edu
