The Center for Social Innovation (CSI) acts as a crucial resource and force multiplier—supporting novel solutions to complex social challenges, convening BC faculty and members of the communities where we work, and combining research that adopts a variety of approaches.
Equity at the Workplace
Work Equity partnered with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley to conduct the Boston Workplace Equity Study. The mission of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is “… to create positive, lasting change for people in need.”
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The National Study of Workplace Equity Report
One of the first of its kind, the National Study of Workplace Equity aimed to understand the state of equity in U.S. workplaces using a nationally representative sample of 1,062 workplaces in the United States.
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Inclusion and Well-being of Children with Special Needs in Kakuma Refugee Camp
Children in refugee camps, and particularly children with disabilities, face unique challenges to accessing education and are at high risk of being marginalized. This project combines Community Based System Dynamics with longitudinal survey data to provide recommendations for inclusive education in refugee camps, and to measure the effects of these strategies over time on children's well-being.
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Social-ecological approach to livelihoods in rural India
In collaboration with Foundation for Ecological Security, community-based system dynamics was used to understand the interconnections between social, ecological, and economic systems to design more effective programs for sustainable livelihoods in rural India.
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Integrating Systems Science Approach to Enhance Adoption and Sustained Use of Cleaner Stoves in Kigeme Refugee Camp
This project aims to examine factors that impact the adoption and use of cleaner cooking systems in a humanitarian setting in Rwanda through systematic research and system science approaches.
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Exploring Solar Implementation Dynamics and Entrepreneurship in Rural India
We used system dynamics modeling to develop an initial conceptual model exploring drivers and barriers to adoption and sustained use of solar energy technology to address energy poverty in rural communities in India. We built on this formative model by using a community-based system dynamics approach to engage communities in the process of sharing their perspective of solar technology implementation dynamics and entrepreneurship development. Undergraduate students were also involved through two interdisciplinary courses on social entrepreneurship that culminated with field work throughout India.
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Solar Energy Implementation and Entrepreneurship Promotion in Energy Poor Communities of Rural India
Approximately one billion people in the world have no access to electricity. 244 million of these people live in India. This project aims to build entrepreneurial capacity and render training to rural poor households, particularly women, on assembly, distribution, maintenance, and manufacturing of solar products. In addition, it provides school children in rural, poor households with off-grid solar lamps.
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Maternal Depression and Childhood Obesity
This project focuses on understanding the links between maternal mental health and the development of childhood obesity, while also investigating racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity to identify the best intervention approaches.
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Global Program on Migration, Refugees, & Humanitarian Assistance
A working group that brings together students, faculty, and staff working on areas of common interest including: migration, refugees, humanitarian assistance, and international development. The initiative fosters collaborative research opportunities among faculty; engages doctoral students in transdisciplinary research and implementation science; and provides opportunities for master’s and undergraduate students to engage in community-driven research projects.
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The Impact of Upstream Prevention of Homelessness on Youth Educational and Developmental Outcomes
Boston College School of Social Work and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley are collaborating to respond to family homelessness in Massachusetts and its negative impact on youth outcomes. The goal is to improve outcomes for families experiencing housing instability through a coordinated approach to research and the translation of findings for use by practitioners and policymakers.
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