Welcome Back Eagles!

While we know the break always flies by too quickly, we are looking forward to connecting with you again and letting you know about some exciting events and groups you may want to be a part of! Additionally, we have some fun courses to tell you about and team members to introduce you to! Looking forward to seeing everyone on campus and hope everyone is feeling refreshed after break.

Schiller Team Member Spotlight

Meet Laura Steinberg!

Laura started life in New York City, growing up traveling the subway between the boroughs and watching massive construction projects come to life.

An avid reader, photographer, and bicycle rider in her teen years, Laura went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Civil and Urban Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She worked as a consulting environmental engineer on international projects in Nigeria, Egypt, and Italy.

She ultimately earned a PhD in Environmental Engineering at Duke and has been a faculty member ever since. She is especially interested in analyzing and mitigating the environmental and social impacts of  natural disasters. Laura became a university leader when she was recruited to Syracuse University to become the Dean of Engineering and Computer Science in 2008. Taking full advantage of living in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, she avidly (and possibly obsessively) took up paddle-boarding. Now at Boston College since 2020, Laura has returned to her earlier delights of bicycle riding and can often be found on one of the many rail-to-trail routes in eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod.

Meet our team!

Course Spotlight: Climate Change and Energy Transition: Japan as a Case Study

Have you ever wanted to go to Japan? You probably answered yes because, c’mon, who wouldn’t want to go to Japan? But on the off chance you answered no, what if I told you that you could go to Japan AND earn course credit? Now you have no choice but to say yes.

This summer Yi Ming and Richard Sweeney are co-teaching a course called, “Climate Change and Energy Transition: Japan as a Case Study”. This course is listed as ECON2636 and SCHI2636, so apply now! To check out more details about the course and submit an online application to the Office of Global Education, click the button below.

This trip will give students the opportunity to learn about various topics such as the Kuroshio Current, disaster preparedness, conservation efforts, and two electricity frequency areas in Japan. Additionally, students will have ample opportunities to interact with Japanese students and experience Japanese culture.

Apply Here!

Our Poet Laureate

While poetry often pokes and prods for immediate emotion—tugging at the heart and brain for a reaction—the untrained eye may struggle to dig deeper and read between the lines. A poem extends beyond surface-level rhyme and rhythm, and analyzing poetry and prose can unlock altered understandings and multidimensional interpretations. This is the power of poetry: a medium for personal expression, a source of social commentary, an outlet for emotion, and much more.

As the poet laureate, I’m not only interested in writing poetry, but making it accessible to audiences who are unfamiliar with the art. That being said, I’ll construct my own analysis of various poems—starting with “this beginning may have always meant this end” by Camille Dungy. I thought of this poet for two reasons: BC had the honor of featuring her as a speaker, and she’s a native of the West—a region experiencing great turmoil due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Her poem offers a transformative visual of a Californian landscape quickly withering to flames. Although this poem explores themes of fear and uncertainty, it draws a cathartic sense of urgency for the reader to take action.

- Jesse Julian

Analysis of Camille Dungy's poem

Original poems from our Poet Laureate

The Schiller Institute's Student Board

The Schiller Institute’s Student Board is looking for undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in addressing areas related to health, energy, and the environment and being a voice for the community. The Board encourages interdisciplinary work and works in collaborative settings to further the Schiller Institute’s mission. Applicants must be able to commit to a minimum 5 hours a month dedicated to their role as a board member. Other leadership opportunities are available.

Applications are due no later than January 31st!

Apply Now!

This is a great opportunity to engage with the campus community, connect with faculty, and work on complex problems. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning about your unique perspectives and interests!

Upcoming Events

Global Public Health & The Common Good

Major/Minor Info Session

The Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good is all about combining education, service, and research to make a real impact. Built on the foundation of Boston College’s liberal arts curriculum, it’s grounded in science and driven by a commitment to social justice. Our goal is to help create a healthier, more equitable world and take better care of the Earth—our Common Home.

We offer a minor in Global Public Health (6 courses, 18 credits) and a brand-new major (12 courses, 36 credits) for those who want to dive deeper into the field and make a difference.

The information session regarding this Major/Minor is tonight, January 21st at 5pm in the Schiller Institute Convening Space (Rm 501) at 245 Beacon Street

Eagles Sustainability Competition

The Eagles Sustainability Competition is an opportunity in the Spring semester for students to showcase their academic interests and knowledge while encouraging sustainability on Boston College's campus. In interdisciplinary teams of 2-3, students craft innovative recommendations to address sustainability.

The winning idea will incorporate campus data, solid research, and creativity to bring a fresh perspective to how our campus partner can reduce its environmental footprint and enhance its overall sustainability. The top three teams will win a cash prize with the winning team receiving $3,000 and the opportunity to have its proposed ideas implemented.

Join us on Monday, February 3rd in the Schiller Institute Convening Space (Rm 501) at 245 Beacon Street!

Eagle’s Sustainability Competition Website

Be on the lookout for the new prompt for the Eagles Sustainability Competition coming out the end of this month!

COP29 Symposium

The COP Symposium at Boston College is an annual event organized by the Schiller Institute that showcases the experiences of BC’s delegation at the most recent Conference of the Parties (COP), the UN's largest annual climate conference. The event includes student and faculty panels, interactive exhibits, and discussions about climate justice and the role of finance in addressing climate change. Esquire Henry, a youth climate activist from Antigua, will give the keynote and engage in a Q&A.

Delegates reflect on COP outcomes and design the symposium to replicate the actual COP event. The symposium highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, diverse perspectives, and BC's unique inclusion of undergraduate and graduate students in global climate discourse.

Save the Date for the COP29 Symposium:

February 21, 2025 at 5pm in the Schiller Institute Convening Space (Rm 501) at 245 Beacon Street!

Last Year’s Symposium

Thanks for being a part of our Schiller Institute family and we hope to see you in two weeks when The Scoop comes out again! Make sure to send The Scoop to your friends and family, so they can be part of our community as well. Have a great beginning of your semester and make sure to take care of yourself during this transition back to school.

Was this forwarded to you? Don't miss out on The Scoop!

Sign up here

Forward

Boston College

245 Beacon Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Anything you want to let us know? reach out to us at: [email-masked]

Thank you for your interest and support!

Preferences  |  Unsubscribe