JANUARY 2025

NEWS FROM THE SCHILLER INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATED SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

WELCOME FROM LAURA J. STEINBERG

As January comes to a close, I’m delighted to share our first SchillerNow issue of 2025, reflect on our accomplishments, and look ahead to spring semester events. The Institute is thrilled to welcome our fourth Schiller Core faculty member, economist Edson Severnini, who joins us from Carnegie Mellon University. You can learn more about Professor Severnini in the story linked below.

Following the success of our fall lecture, we are excited to announce the next speakers in our Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series. 

The series continues with a public talk by climate modeling pioneer V. Balaji and concludes on February 19 with a panel discussion with Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and MIT professor Moungi Bawendi. These talks are aimed towards interdisciplinary audiences and we hope you will join us for these engaging conversations.

We are continuing our commitment to support faculty research through our grant funding programs. Applications for funding for interdisciplinary research and for projects that build partnerships in the Global South and in Massachusetts are now open. Learn more and apply. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to your spring semester, and I hope to see you at our upcoming events.

Professor Laura J. Steinberg

Seidner Family Executive Director, Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society

Schiller Institute Distinguished Lecture Series »

V. Balaji, a Distinguished Fellow at Schmidt Futures, will present a lecture titled “Climate models: whence they came, where they’re going, and why we should trust them” on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 12 p.m, with a lunch reception to follow. This public lecture is intended for a broad audience and we encourage students, faculty, and staff from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds to attend. Please register.  »

Schiller Institute Distinguished Lecture Series »

Moungi Bawendi, a Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry and professor at MIT, will participate in a panel discussion on quantum mechanics on Feb. 19 at 12 p.m followed by a lunch reception. This public lecture is intended for a broad audience. Please register.

Gerson Family Lecture: Ed Yong: “What Pandemics Teach Us” »

The Schiller Institute is co-sponsoring Ed Yong’s talk as part of the Lowell Humanities Series on Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Yong was awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting for his crucial coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more and register.

COP29 Symposium »

On Friday, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., we will be hosting a symposium featuring BC’s COP29 delegates. Events include a student and faculty panel, interactive exhibits, and a keynote address from Esquire Henry, a youth climate activist from Antigua. Please register.

Welcoming New Schiller Core Faculty Member »

The Schiller Institute is excited to introduce our newest Core faculty member, Edson Severnini. Professor Severnini joined BC this semester and is jointly appointed in the Economics Department. His research lies at the intersection of energy, environmental, and health economics, focusing on climate change, energy transitions, and the historical impacts of pollution and electrification. Read more.

Chemistry Solutions Fueled by the Sun »

Learn how Schiller Core faculty member Jier Huang is using tiny molecules to help solve one of the world’s biggest problems—climate change. Read more.

Reflections from BC’s COP29 Delegation »

The University sent a fourth consecutive delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Delegates described it as “the opportunity of a lifetime” and “a transformative experience.” The Discover Boston College podcast also captured highlights from our Broadcasts from Baku events. 

Summer study abroad opportunity in Tokyo

Schiller Core faculty member Yi Ming and Schiller Affiliate faculty member Rich Sweeney are co-teaching Climate Change and Energy Transition: Japan as a Case Study in Tokyo this summer. The course will be held at Sophia University (a top-rated private Jesuit university in Japan). Learn more and apply by February 5.

Tian speaks as high-level panelist at launch event

Schiller Core faculty member Hanqin Tian spoke at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy. The event centered around the FAO’s report on “Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Agrifood Systems,” which gives a comprehensive overview on the role of nitrogen use and challenges in agrifood systems.

Eagles Sustainability Competition

Teams of undergraduate students are once again invited to pitch ideas to solve a real sustainability problem at BC. Join us at our informational session on Feb 3 at 5 p.m. to learn about the competition and who our campus partner is this year. Learn more on the competition website.

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