boston university phd economics gre

Boston University

Ranked in 9 program s and 10+ specialt ies

BU 's Graduate School Rankings

• # 4 in Project Management  (tie)
• # 33 in Part-time MBA  (tie)
• # 42 in Best Education Schools  (tie)
• # 10 in Biomedical Engineering / Bioengineering  (tie)
• in Computer Engineering
• in Electrical / Electronic / Communications Engineering
• in Industrial / Manufacturing / Systems Engineering
• in Materials Engineering
• in Mechanical Engineering
• # 20 in Business/Corporate Law  (tie)
• # 38 in Clinical Training  (tie)
• # 25 in Constitutional Law  (tie)
• # 24 in Contracts/Commercial Law  (tie)
• # 24 in Criminal Law  (tie)
• # 51 in Dispute Resolution  (tie)
• # 65 in Environmental Law  (tie)
• # 3 in Health Care Law
• # 8 in Intellectual Property Law  (tie)
• # 26 in International Law  (tie)
• # 78 in Legal Writing  (tie)
• # 15 in Tax Law  (tie)
• # 90 in Trial Advocacy  (tie)
• # 66 in Most Diverse Medical Schools  (tie)
• # 112 in Most Graduates Practicing in Medically Underserved Areas
• # 95 in Most Graduates Practicing in Primary Care Fields  (tie)
• # 139 in Most Graduates Practicing in Rural Areas  (tie)
• # 20 in Pediatrics
• # 38 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care  (tie)
• # 80 in Biological Sciences  (tie)
• # 18 in Biostatistics
• # 67 in Chemistry  (tie)
• # 27 in Clinical Psychology  (tie)
• # 29 in Artificial Intelligence  (tie)
• # 70 in Earth Sciences  (tie)
• # 12 in Development Economics  (tie)
• # 19 in Econometrics
• # 19 in Labor Economics
• # 14 in Microeconomics  (tie)
• # 41 in English  (tie)
• # 6 in Painting / Drawing  (tie)
• # 19 in Health Care Management  (tie)
• # 54 in History  (tie)
• # 55 in Mathematics  (tie)
• # 1 in Occupational Therapy  (tie)
• # 11 in Physical Therapy  (tie)
• # 50 in Physician Assistant  (tie)
• # 13 in Quantum  (tie)
• # 59 in Political Science  (tie)
• # 46 in Psychology  (tie)
• # 9 in Biostatistics
• # 11 in Environmental Health Sciences
• # 7 in Epidemiology
• # 7 in Health Policy and Management
• # 7 in Social and Behavioral Sciences
• # 12 in Social Work  (tie)
• # 41 in Sociology  (tie)
• # 5 in Speech-Language Pathology  (tie)
• # 41 in Statistics  (tie)

More from BU

• Graduate Schools
• Online Programs
• Global Universities

More Rankings for BU

Best Colleges Rankings

Using indicators of academic excellence, U.S. News ranks regionally accredited colleges and universities.

Graduate Schools Rankings

Online Program Rankings

Online Programs in professional areas with the largest enrollments are evaluated annually by U.S. News, based on criteria such as employment outcomes of graduates.

Global Rankings

U.S. News ranked universities around the world based on their academic research & reputation.

U.S. News Grad Compass

See expanded profiles of nearly 1,800 schools. Unlock entering class stats including MCAT, GMAT and GRE scores.

Unlock U.S. News Grad Compass

Access all of the Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering and Education School data for Boston University.

Graduate School Advice

Applying to Graduate School

Paying for Grad School

About the GRE

Studying at a U.S. Grad School

You May Also Like

Different jobs with med degree.

Jarek Rutz April 30, 2024

Completing Medical School in Five Years

Kate Rix April 30, 2024

Dealing With Medical School Rejection

Kathleen Franco, M.D., M.S. April 30, 2024

Should I Get a Master's Before a Ph.D?

Andrew Warner April 29, 2024

Should You Take the LSAT More Than Once?

Gabriel Kuris April 29, 2024

How to Win a Fulbright Scholarship

Cole Claybourn and Ilana Kowarski April 26, 2024

What to Ask Law Students and Alumni

Gabriel Kuris April 22, 2024

Find a Strong Human Rights Law Program

Anayat Durrani April 18, 2024

Environmental Health in Medical School

Zach Grimmett April 16, 2024

How to Choose a Law Career Path

Gabriel Kuris April 15, 2024

• Departments and Units
• Majors and Minors
• LSA Course Guide
• LSA Gateway

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

• News and Events
• Commencement
• Undergraduates
• Doctoral Program
• Master of Applied Economics
• Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics
• Economics Subfields at Michigan
• Alumni and Friends

• Masters Program
• Academic Resources & Policies
• Commencement & Graduation
• Events for Economics Majors
• Undergraduate Student Groups
• Requirements for the Major and Minor
• Awards & Scholarships
• Email Group
• Featured Alumni
• Transfer Students, Credits, & Study Abroad
• Awards & Fellowships
• Graduate Student Research
• Past Job Market Placements
• Links for Current PhD Students
• PhD Application Process
• Graduate Student Groups
• Joint Programs
• Current Job Market Candidates
• PhD Application FAQs
• Core Coursework
• MAE Application Process
• MAE Student Advising
• Graduate Economics Society
• Program Requirements
• MAE Student Spotlights
• Visiting Scholars
• Faculty Research
• Economic Impact Analyses
• Economic Outlook Conference
• Related Links
• Subscriptions
• Long-Term Forecasts and Scenario Analyses
• Economics Research in the Department
• Field Research Seminars
• U-M Community of Economists
• Economics Research at U-M
• Foster Library
• Economics Resource Links
• Microeconomic Theory
• International Economics
• Industrial Organization
• Health Economics
• Behavioral and Experimental Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Public Finance
• Development Economics
• Economics of Education
• Law and Economics
• Econometrics
• Labor Economics
• Economic History
• Economics of Crime and Punishment
• Gift Giving
• The W.S. Woytinsky Lecture
• Econ Mentoring (Formerly EARN)
• Opportunities to Engage
• U-M Resource Links
• Celebrating Jim Adams
• Economics Leadership Council (ELC)
• In Memoriam

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will no longer be accepted for the application to the Economics PhD Program. 

The PhD program offers admission for the fall term only. Our application process is handled centrally through the University of Michigan's Rackham Graduate School. Your application must be submitted with the Rackham Graduate School application process by 11:59pm EST on December 1.

All admissions materials (application and supplemental materials) must be received by the Rackham Graduate School by the December 1st deadline. This includes the application, all official transcripts, test scores (TOEFL, IELTS), and all three letters of recommendation. There are no exceptions to this deadline.

There is no separate application form for financial aid. Access to the online application is at the Rackham Graduate School's Admissions Website

All applicants must submit the following material: 

• Application Form (including Academic Statement of Purpose, Personal Statement, and CV) 
• Application Fee
• Transcripts for each bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree earned or in progress. The Admissions Committee will review uploaded transcripts with university logs during the application process. The Rackham Graduate School requires applicants to submit an official transcript after an offer of recommendation of admission is made. Check the Rackham Graduate School website at  www.rackham.umich.edu  for further details.
• Three letters of recommendation. Ideally, letter writers should be able to attest to your capacities to flourish in a top PhD program in economics and to your capacity to do independent research. If you are currently attending a graduate program, we recommend submitting at least one letter from a faculty member in that graduate program. All three letters must be submitted through the online application system by 11:59pm EST on December 1. 
• Valid, official score reports of TOEFL (if applicable) sent by ETS to code 1839 - no departmental code is needed.

Do NOT submit the following material to the Economics Department specifically:

• Unofficial transcript(s) printed from your institution’s student portal (a screen print of a transcript)
• List of textbooks from your coursework
• List of economics, mathematics, and statistics courses and grades
• Writing sample other than your Academic Statement of Purpose and your Personal Statement
• Paper copy of TOEFL score reports

The application evaluation process for the doctoral program in economics is done online.

NOTE: The doctoral admissions committee reviews applications for admissions electronically.

• ALL documents must be uploaded through the Rackham Graduate School application. 
• Do not send any hard-copy transcripts or materials to the Economics department either by postal mail or email.

For current U-M PhD students interested in setting up an Individually Interdepartmental Degree program (IIDP), also known as the Student Initiated Degree Program (SIDP), and adding Economics as a dual degree with your home program, please see our  joint programs  page or the Rackham Website regarding this unique program.

For questions regarding admissions please send an email to [email protected]

For questions regarding your specific application status or which application materials have arrived, please check your Wolverine Access Friend Account under "New and Prospective Student Business." Instructions on setting up your Friend Account and how to check your status are here.

Office Hours: M-F 8 am - 4:30pm

• Information For
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty and Staff
• More about LSA
• How Do I Apply?
• LSA Magazine
• Student Resources
• Academic Advising
• Global Studies
• LSA Opportunity Hub
• Social Media
• Update Contact Info
• Privacy Statement
• Report Feedback

Graduate Program

Our Ph.D. program field faculty consists of 91 economists drawn from the Economics Department and other departments and colleges across the university, offering students many opportunities. Students can focus their doctoral research on a wide range of economics-related topics provided at least two Ph.D. program field faculty members approve the topic and agree to supervise the student. 

To view our Ph.D. program field faculty, click here .

The Economics Department is committed to fostering an inclusive culture and positive climate for all at Cornell University and in the Economics profession more broadly.  Learn more about our diversity and inclusion initiatives here.

Job Market Candidates

The department is proud to support and promote the work of our Ph.D. students who are seeking employment following the completion of their doctoral program. At Cornell University, economists are trained in many departments, schools and colleges, and as a part of multiple graduate fields.  All Ph.D. job candidates with training in economics are listed here .  The following websites include the subset of students who are receiving their degrees in Fields outside of Economics:  Field of Policy Analysis and Management  and  Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management .

More About the Graduate Program

Economics news.

Musical alumnus: Pivoting to a new career was worth the wait

Paul Jensen ’85 had a successful career in public relations, but when he left his job at a big agency four years ago, he was longing to get back to something he loved and missed: his music.

2024 Cornell Economics Commencement Ceremony

2024 Cornell Economics Commencement Ceremony information.

Summer Experience Grant applications now open

The grants provide funding for students in unpaid or low-paying summer experiences to offset the cost of taking on those positions.

Nicholas Kiefer, economist and ‘towering intellect,’ dies at 73

Nicholas Kiefer, an economist whose deep curiosity and sharp insights into statistics and economic theory enabled him to parse a range of financial and banking systems, died March 12.

Economics department receives $500K gift honoring Tapan Mitra

The Dr. Tapan Mitra Economics Fund continues the passion of the late professor for top-level collaboration in economic theory and his legacy of generosity.

Support Arts & Sciences on Giving Day March 14

Your gift allows the College to fulfill our mission — to prepare our students to do the greatest good in the world.

Rising stars: Harrison Award honors recent alumni leaders

Four special guests, including Arts & Sciences alumni, will be honored at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference in Baltimore in February.

Klarman Fellow’s mission: Break cycles of poverty through fact-based policy

Neil Cholli studies labor and public economics with a goal of helping to shape social policy in the U.S.

Upcoming Events

Joint s.c. tsiang macroeconomics & econometrics workshop: thorsten drautzburg, behavioral economics workshop: chiara aina, econometrics workshop: nathan kallus, microeconomic theory workshop: joyee deb, joint labor & public economics workshop: edoardo teso.

• Twitter Facebook Pinterest
• Virtual Tour
• Applications
• Entering Class Stats
• Accreditation
• Faculty Composition
• Distance Learning
• International
• Tuition And Fees
• Room And Board
• Financial Aid
• Graduation & Retention
• Return On Investment

Economics at Boston University

We've gathered data and other essential information about the program, such as the average salary of graduates, ethnicity of students, how many students graduated in recent times, and more. We've also included details on how Boston U ranks compared to other colleges offering a major in economics.

Jump to any of the following sections:

• Available Degrees
• Student Debt
• Student Demographics
• Related Majors

Economics Degrees Available at Boston U

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
• Master’s Degree in Economics
• Doctorate Degree in Economics

Boston U Economics Rankings

Boston U is in the top 10% of the country for economics. More specifically it was ranked #37 out of 497 schools by College Factual. It is also ranked #4 in Massachusetts .

Popularity of Economics at Boston U

During the 2020-2021 academic year, Boston University handed out 281 bachelor's degrees in economics. This is a decrease of 6% over the previous year when 300 degrees were handed out.

In 2021, 149 students received their master’s degree in economics from Boston U. This makes it the #4 most popular school for economics master’s degree candidates in the country.

In addition, 22 students received their doctoral degrees in economics in 2021, making the school the #12 most popular school in the United States for this category of students.

How Much Do Economics Graduates from Boston U Make?

Salary of economics graduates with a bachelor's degree.

The median salary of economics students who receive their bachelor's degree at Boston U is $53,654. This is great news for graduates of the program, since this figure is higher than the national average of $45,868 for all economics bachelor's degree recipients.

How Much Student Debt Do Economics Graduates from Boston U Have?

Student debt of economics graduates with a bachelor's degree.

While getting their bachelor's degree at Boston U, economics students borrow a median amount of $24,500 in student loans. This is higher than the the typical median of $22,987 for all economics majors across the country.

The typical student loan payment of a bachelor's degree student from the economics program at Boston U is $888 per month.

Related Programs

Learn about other programs related to Economics that might interest you.

Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)

Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)

Economics Student Diversity at Boston U

Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the economics majors at Boston University.

Boston U Economics Bachelor’s Program

During the 2020-2021 academic year, 281 students graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Boston U. About 52% were men and 48% were women.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's in economics.

Boston U Economics Master’s Program

In the 2020-2021 academic year, 149 students earned a master's degree in economics from Boston U. About 56% of these graduates were women and the other 44% were men.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Boston University with a master's in economics.

Most Popular Majors Related to Economics

View All Economics Related Majors >

• National Center for Education Statistics
• O*NET Online
• Image Credit: By Cmcnicoll at English Wikipedia under License

More about our data sources and methodologies .

Popular Reports

Compare your school options.

Department of Economics

We look at applications holistically, evaluating the full range of criteria including GRE scores, grades, personal statements, letters, fields of interest, rank within class, our past experience with students from your program, and personal attributes.  Weaknesses in one or more areas may be compensated by strengths in other areas. We seek evidence of previous academic success, mathematical proficiency,  an understanding of economics as a discipline, curiosity about intellectual and social issues, persistence and creativity in surmounting obstacles, and effective written and verbal communication. We try to build a class that is balanced and diverse in interests and experiences and can contribute importantly to our mission as a department.

That is a decision for the graduate school. Information is here.

While the system permits submission of more than three letters of recommendation we only require three letters and, in our experience, extra letters tend to diminish the impact of the primary letter writers. Thus we would recommend that you pick the three letter from people who know you well and have an understanding of the requirements of an economics graduate program. 

We look at applications holistically, evaluating the full range of criteria including scores, grades, personal statements, letters, fields of interest, rank within class, our past experience with students from your program, and personal attributes. We try to build a balanced, diverse and high quality class, accounting for likelihood of enrolling, that can contribute importantly to our mission as a department.

We thus do not have cutoff scores for considering your application. We also cannot assess your probability of acceptance based on any one or two criteria. We also will not try to do evaluations of more detailed information except as part of the normal application process.

However, to give you some guidance on these issues we present below graphs of the cumulative distribution of GRE scores (quantitative, verbal, and written) among applicants as well as those who are accepted for the class starting in 2020. Overall we had about 750 applications and admitted about 60. So the ratio of the point on green curve to the point on the orange curve at any score X times 60/750 represents the proportion of people below that score who were admitted in the past year.  So that means that overall we admit about 8% of applicants but, for example, for we only admitted about 4% of those with a score below 165.

We discourage this.  First, all decisions are made by the admissions committee. We don’t consult faculty on whether a student is a particular match for him/her. While faculty can submit letters on the side to the committee those letters are likely to be disregarded unless you have a longer-term relationship with the faculty member or he/she has specific knowledge that would not otherwise appear in your application. We also have over 750 applications so if everyone made contact with the faculty member it would create a significant burden on faculty time.

Of course, all our faculty have web pages that contain a lot of information about their projects. The optimal time for you to contact faculty would be if and when you are admitted or wait listed and have a good sense of your choice set. Also it would be most productive if it were during or after our annual “campus visit” (around April 1). During the visit, you will see some presentations by selected faculty and then we will have open office hours that you can schedule and/or drop by. You will also have a chance to visit with some graduate students.

No. We only offer an MA Degree for students in our PhD program. This MA Degree is awarded following successful completion of the first-year sequence of the PhD program.

Applicants to the program should submit the application, 3 letters of recommendation, personal statement, transcripts, and GRE General Aptitude Test scores. We do not look at the GRE subject test score. The TOEFL test is required for foreign applicants, except those who hold (or will receive) a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English. The TSE test is not required. 

Incoming doctoral students receive six years of guaranteed financial support, including summers, a stipend, tuition remission, a health-services fee, and health and dental insurance (some are funded through external sources).  

Students in the first year receive aid in the form of a fellowship (requiring no work on their part). In years 2+, the support may take the form of a teaching assistantship, research assistantship, or fellowship as long as student remains in good standing.  All such assignments form part of the student’s professional development.

In the first year, there are no teaching or research assistant responsibilities. After the first year, students generally work as a TA or RA. There are also competitive fellowships on campus through PSTC and IBES that substitute for TA or RA work. 

Target size of the incoming class in the PhD program is 16. The admission process is highly selective: in the last years, we have received over 750 applications.

The mean time to completion is between five and six years.  The mode is six years. 

A) Exposure to economics at a high level. We look for students who have taken upper-level courses that exposed them to active areas of research in the field. Students who have written senior or MA theses, or worked as researchers or research assistants have an advantage.  B) Adequate preparation in mathematics. Applications should have at least 2 or 3 semesters of calculus. We also look for coursework in linear algebra, real analysis, probability theory and/or statistics.  C) A good grade record. This is not precise, as standards vary widely among schools. D) Informative letters of recommendation. We are particularly interested in letters from scholars who understand the research environment at a top Ph.D. program, that is, scholars who themselves are actively engaged in research and publication and those who have Ph.D.s from research-oriented institutions. We look for letters that make it clear the applicant knows what doing a Ph.D. is like and which describe how the applicant has been exposed to the research process.  E) The median GRE quantitative percentile among those admitted is 96% with 90 percent of all quantitative scores being above 89 percentile. The median GRE verbal percentile among those admitted is 94% with 90 percent of all scores being above the 76th percentile.

From a demographic perspective, 48% of our admitted students are US citizens, 44% are female, 6% are US citizens from historically underrepresented groups in the US, and 7% are first-generation college students.

Decisions regarding admission and financial aid are made by mid-March. Applicants must make enrollment decisions by mid-April. 

Our University code is 3094. The department code for economics is 1801. 

The Department of Economics does not have the applications. You can apply online or request a paper application from the Graduate School 

Leave a Mark on the World and Join Our Groundbreaking Scientific Community

Learn more about boston university’s innovative master's programs in energy & environment and remote sensing & geospatial sciences, e&e landing page.

Do you want to change the world by combating its most pressing challenges like climate change, energy policy, and natural resource management? Boston University can help you answer that calling with cutting-edge,  STEM-designated programs led by highly respected and influential faculty.

Hear From A Current Student

“The most impactful experience I’ve had at BU is having the opportunity to be a teaching fellow and to help guide a new generation of scientists. This experience has been really impactful on my life because I think it’s important to give back. I think about how I felt when I was an undergrad just starting my journey and it’s really great to reflect back on that.” -Taylor Warburton, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA; MS Energy & Environment

“Getting to work on the NASA-funded research mission MEaSUREs has been a unique experience I have been a part of as a student at BU. I do not believe I would have had this opportunity elsewhere.” - Kristina McAvoy, Brockton, Massachusetts, USA ; MA in Remote Sensing and Geospatial Sciences

UMass Boston

• Current Students
• Parents & Families
• Faculty & Staff
• Liberal Arts
• Departments
• Africana Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Applied Linguistics
• Asian Studies
• Classics & Religious Studies
• Communication
• Research & Impact
• Resources for Students
• Teaching Goals
• Latin American & Iberian Studies
• Latino Studies
• Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures
• Native American & Indigenous Studies
• Performing Arts
• Political Science
• Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
• Student Resources
• Research & Centers
• Dean's Office

Welcome to the Department of Economics

UMass Boston's Department of Economics in the College of Liberal Arts delves into the fundamental questions that shape our economic world. Our faculty, specializing in diverse approaches, offers innovative curriculum and mentoring, while our undergraduate and graduate programs prepare you for impactful careers in finance, law, public service, and more.

Request Info       Apply

Academic Programs

Undergraduate programs.

• Economics BA
• Economics Minor

Graduate Programs

• Applied Economics, MA

About Our Department

The Department of Economics boasts distinguished faculty renowned for their high-quality applied economic research, innovative curriculum, and dedicated student mentoring. Our faculty members specialize in various heterodox economic approaches, such as feminist, institutional, behavioral, Marxian, and post-Keynesian perspectives.

Our undergraduate courses cover applied, theoretical, and quantitative analysis, equipping students with valuable skills for careers in finance, law, public service, or further studies in economics and related fields. Additionally, our Applied Economics graduate program provides practical research and analytical tools, preparing students for impactful roles in government, education, NGOs, nonprofits, research, consulting firms, and various private sector industries, including insurance, banking, telecommunications, environmental services, and transportation.

Year in Review

Economics Department Year in Review 2021-2022

• International

Trump hush money trial

University protests

May 1, 2024 - US campus protests

By Elizabeth Wolfe, Kathleen Magramo, Dalia Faheid, Antoinette Radford, Emma Tucker, Anna Cooban, Rachel Ramirez, Aditi Sangal, Elise Hammond, Maureen Chowdhury, Lauren Mascarenhas, Chandelis Duster and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Our live coverage of the protests at US colleges has moved here

USC reopens campus to school community after closing due to protesters unaffiliated with university

From CNN's Taylor Romine

The University of Southern California reopened its campus to the school community Wednesday night after temporarily closing because "demonstrators unaffiliated with USC" were protesting next to the campus, the school said.

The protesters were gathered at the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, the school said in a post at around 8 p.m. It was not clear what they were protesting. 

Shortly after 9 p.m., the school said the demonstrators had left the area and the campus was reopened to "students, staff, faculty, and registered guests."

UCLA police tell people to leave encampment over loudspeaker

UCLA police over loudspeaker told those in the encampment to leave a little before 8 p.m. PT Wednesday evening.

Police are warning those in the encampment they may be "in violation of the law and subject to administrative actions."

LAPD issues city-wide "tactical alert" putting officers on notice about UCLA protest

From CNN's Josh Campbell

The Los Angeles Police Department has issued a city-wide "tactical alert" related to the unlawful assembly declared at a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA, a law enforcement source told CNN. 

The alert notifies all LAPD personnel that they could be called on tonight to assist with the ongoing situation on campus, if needed.

During a tactical alert, some lower-priority calls for police services may not be addressed.

Several law enforcement agencies coordinate their approach to UCLA encampment, source says

From CNN's Nick Watt

The large law enforcement presence on UCLA's campus is comprised of several agencies to perform specific tasks to clear the encampment, according to a source familiar with law enforcement plans:

• The Los Angeles Police Department will secure the perimeter.
• The California Highway Patrol will enter the encampment.
• The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department will be responsible for crowd control.

Law enforcement on site will be equipped with protective gear, including gas masks, according to the source. The UCLA hospital will also be on standby to receive anyone who may be injured, the source said.

State police deployed to University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College took people into custody

From CNN’s Joe Sutton

State police were deployed to the University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College due to “illegal activity and at the request of local law enforcement,” the New Hampshire Department of Safety told CNN.

"All individuals who were taken into custody are being processed by the University of New Hampshire Police Department and the Hanover Police Department,” said Tyler Dumont, New Hampshire Department of Safety spokesman. “The members of the New Hampshire State Police are committed to protecting the constitutional rights of Granite Staters while also ensuring those who violate the law are held accountable."

The University of New Hampshire told CNN that students supporting Palestinians had peacefully protested on campus at least seven times over the past six months.

"Despite much communication with organizers regarding the University’s expectations for conduct when exercising their free speech rights, those guidelines were ignored today. Protesters erected tents in an attempt to create an encampment on UNH property."

The university said it will protect free speech on campus but "will not allow it to be co-opted by a small group of protesters, including outside agitators.”

CNN has reached out to Dartmouth College for comment. 

Multiple people were arrested during an ongoing pro-Palestinian protest at Dartmouth College on Wednesday night, according to CNN affiliate  WMUR .

Multiple people arrested at Dartmouth College in standoff between protesters and police

From CNN’s Jillian Sykes

Multiple people have been arrested during an ongoing pro-Palestinian protest at Dartmouth College on Wednesday night, according to CNN affiliate  WMUR .

Video from WMUR shows police pulling protesters one-by-one from the crowd gathered on the Dartmouth Green and detaining them with zip ties.

Protesters can be heard chanting “Free Palestine” while holding banners and flags.

The crowd appears to be a mix of students and members of the community, WMUR says.

About 16 arrested following protest at University at Buffalo, school says

Approximately 16 people were arrested Wednesday night after a pro-Palestine protest at the University at Buffalo's North Campus, including students and "other individuals not affiliated with the University at Buffalo," the school said in a release.

Those people were arrested after being "advised of, and failing to comply, with an order to disperse for a violation of UB’s  Picketing and Assembling Policy  that prohibits encampments and overnight assemblies," the release reads.

"While many protesters peacefully left the area after being advised multiple times by UB Police that those remaining at the protest would be arrested if they did not disperse at dusk, unfortunately some individuals elected to ignore the requests of UB Police and were arrested."

"A few individuals" attempted to resist arrest, and two officers were assaulted, the release reads.

In an earlier  release , the university said its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine originally organized a march at the North Campus on Wednesday. 

Around  50 people , including students and others not affiliated with the university, continued to protest into Wednesday evening, the university said.

Many left the area after warnings from university police to disperse at dusk, but others were arrested outside of Hochstetter Hall, the university said .

"While the decision to arrest individuals occurred after multiple discussions, communications and warnings to protesters, UB Police prioritized the safety and security of the university community by upholding and enforcing all applicable laws, SUNY rules and UB polices."

The university said it recognizes and respects the right to protest but emphasized that overnight assemblies and indoor and outdoor encampments are prohibited.

"The university recognizes and respects the right to protest afforded under the First Amendment," the release announcing the arrests reads. "However, those members of the university community and visitors who wish to express their viewpoints through picketing and other forms of demonstration are permitted to peacefully do so but must not violate the provisions of the  Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order of the SUNY Board of Trustees  and must adhere to UB’s  Picketing and Assembling Policy , including the prohibition of overnight assemblies, and indoor and outdoor encampments."

Five tents were previously placed on campus but were removed by protesters after they were advised by university staff and police.

Unlawful assembly declared at UCLA encampment, source says

From CNN's Josh Campbell and Nick Watt

Law enforcement has declared an unlawful assembly for a pro-Palestinian encampment at the university's quad, a source familiar with the situation tells CNN. 

Declaring a gathering unlawful is a step police typically take before ordering individuals to disperse or face arrest.

CNN witnessed more than 100 law enforcement officers from various agencies entering the campus Wednesday, including a stream of officers wearing riot helmets and carrying zip ties.

Aerial video from CNN affiliate KABC shows dozens of police vehicles and a law enforcement mobile command post gathered at the FBI's Los Angeles field office parking lot, which is approximately one mile from the UCLA encampment. 

Hundreds of people had gathered outside the encampment Wednesday evening, most appearing to be seated on the ground across from the entrance to the camp, the aerial footage shows. Inside the encampment, more than 80 tents lined the grass as people busily wove through the area.

By around 8:30 p.m., a growing line of LAPD officers had formed between the encampment and the outside group of protesters, according to a CNN crew on the scene.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.

Watch CBS News

Northeastern University pro-Palestinian student protest sees large police response

By Neal Riley , Laura Haefeli

Updated on: April 25, 2024 / 6:33 PM EDT / CBS Boston

BOSTON - There was a large police response Thursday at Northeastern University, the latest college campus in Massachusetts to see pro-Palestinian student protests. 

Dozens of protesters formed a circle, linking arms around a tent encampment on Centennial Common set up to protest the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. At about 2:30 p.m., police carrying zip-tie handcuffs moved in closer to the demonstration. Boston police officers eventually left the area by about 3 p.m. but it is unclear why.  

Students told WBZ-TV that they were being asked to show their college identification or face removal from the campus. The group did not comply. 

Members of @bostonpolice are approaching pro-palestinian protestors. Students are seated prepared to be arrested. @wbz pic.twitter.com/rl3Gtd0XlC — Laura Haefeli (@LauraHaefeli) April 25, 2024

Students refused to talk to WBZ but chanted phrases like "free Palestine", "don't talk to police" and "who do you serve?"

Students are being supported by Northeastern faculty and professors encouraging what they say is their right to protest.

"They're calling for peace, a ceasefire, an end to the violence. We want to make sure that those students' voices are heard," Northeastern professor Matthew Noah Smith said. "And we as professors have a responsibility to look after our students' welfare."  

Northeastern Jewish community calls for action

"Where I'm most upset is the professors standing over there," said Matthew Garchik with Huskies for Israel, Northeastern. "Their shirts say something like the faculty we support our students. Not the students that walk around making themselves obviously Jewish day after day."

Israeli students and members of the Northeastern Jewish community are not happy with what they call misinformed messaging, asking police to do more.

"A lot of my fear peers rightfully so are extremely fearful," Garchik said. "If it were up to me, everyone would have been told to leave disperse or be arrested."

Protests are continued into the evening hours at Northeastern and demonstrators tell WBZ they have no plans to leave anytime soon.

WBZ did reach out to Northeastern for an official comment but did not immediately hear back.  

Latest protest on college campus in Massachusetts

Early on Thursday morning, Boston police broke up an encampment at Emerson College . Police said 108 protesters were arrested and four officers were hurt. 

Other student protests inspired by Columbia University this week have emerged at Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Harvard University and Tufts University. 

Neal J. Riley is a digital producer for CBS Boston. He has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has appeared in The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. Neal is a graduate of Boston University.

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Northeastern says protest arrests were "necessary to restore civility"

Tufts warns protesters to leave or face suspension, graduation ban

Are campus protests against war in Gaza illegal? Here's what experts say

Some Jewish Emerson College students say they were forced off campus by protests

Admissions Visit Opportunities

The Charger Blog

Chargers Reflect on ‘Amazing’ Opportunity to Visit Courthouse in Boston

The University’s American Criminal Justice Association chapter recently organized a trip to the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston. It offered Chargers the chance to tour the courthouse while networking with and learning from professionals.

April 30, 2024

By Noah DiNallo ’24, Colin S. Graham ’23, ’24 M.S., Abbi Griggs ’25, and Maria Paula Montoya Mayorga ’25

Members of the University’s American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) chapter hosted a trip to the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, inviting students of all majors to attend. The trip included a tour of the courthouse and offered them the opportunity to observe court proceedings. They also met with several professionals, including judges and probation officers.

Below, several Chargers reflect on the experience.

Noah DiNallo ’24

As the vice president of the Psi Omega chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association for the 2023-2024 academic year, I was dedicated to creating an opportunity for our organization to provide a unique experience as a way to help replace what we would normally take part in during the annual national conference. The executive board worked hard to plan a trip to the John J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, Massachusetts, and it was great to see a positive response from those who attended the trip.

We started the day with a tour of the courthouse from Discovering Justice , a nonprofit organization that helps students and teachers engage in civic education. We were educated on the history of the courthouse, learned about some famous cases that have passed through the courthouse, and got to see some magnificent views of the Boston harbor!

We then met with Chief Judge David J. Barron and Judge Julie Rikelman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit , as well as Senior Probation Officers Taylor Wertz and Martha Victoria of the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office for the District of Massachusetts . Each of these professionals talked about their stories and how each of them ended up in their current positions. I personally found great interest in learning about how state and federal probation differ from each other, as I have interned in a state probation office previously.

After lunch, students had the option to stay in the courthouse and watch some court proceedings or leave and explore the City of Boston for the afternoon. I chose to sit in on a sentencing hearing before seeing the sights of Boston. It was very interesting listening in on the sentencing and hearing both parties argue their case from a different perspective. The judge also took time to talk to the defendant to create a plan for housing and employment, amongst other aspects of life, post-incarceration. Overall, my entire experience on this trip was incredibly positive, as it was both educational and recreational.

It was great to see students who are not currently active members of the American Criminal Justice Association take advantage of opportunities that are presented to them and join us for this trip. Trips and events that the American Criminal Justice Association host are open to students of all class levels and majors, and we always enjoy seeing new faces and university-wide engagement!

Colin S. Graham ’23, ’24 M.S.

Since joining the Psi Omega chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon in the Fall 2021 semester, I have been a general member, I’ve served as a committee head, and I now serve as the conference preparation chair on the executive board. When students join the national organization, they are entitled to attend the regional conference in the fall and the national conference in the spring. Unfortunately, due to various reasons, the Psi Omega Chapter voted to not attend the 2024 National Conference in Southlake, Texas. Instead, members expressed an interest in attending smaller off-campus trips to further their criminal justice knowledge.

The executive board had meetings during the summer to begin planning for some of our events for the 2023-2024 academic year. During these meetings, we had discussed the possibility of organizing off-campus trips related to the criminal justice field. In addition to being a graduate student at the University, I am also employed by the U.S. Office of Probation and Pretrial Services for the District of Massachusetts.

After talking with my supervisor, I found out that, through Discovering Justice, the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse offers public tours of the building and opportunities to meet with legal professionals. While most of the programing Discovering Justice offers is geared toward primary and secondary students, I had reached out to Discovering Justice in early January to book a college student courthouse visit for March 21, 2024. In addition, I had asked my supervisor if U.S. Probation would be interested in speaking to students about the agency.

While I planned this event with American Criminal Justice Association members in mind, this event was open to all undergraduate students with an interest in criminal justice. In total, 24 students from the University attended the event, and the executive board was very impressed with the amount of student engagement. This sentiment was also reflected by Prof. Daniel Maxwell , our chapter adviser, as well as by Discovering Justice and U.S. Probation.

The American Criminal Justice Association is always looking to expand our membership. While our events are open to all undergraduate students, our members are the first to receive sign-up links. I would encourage any student who has an interest in criminal justice in join the American Criminal Justice Association.

Abbi Griggs ’25

I got the amazing opportunity to take a trip to Boston to see the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse with the ACJA. This was a great learning experience and it allowed me to see another side of the justice field. At first, we got a tour of the courthouse and got to hear about the story behind it being built. They wanted to show that there was equality within the courthouse and how anyone is welcomed. Its meaning is to show the truth behind the justice system.

We then got to speak with two federal appellate judges in the En Banc courtroom where they sit to listen and decide on appeals. They talked to us about their experience being a judge and what got them there. I have never spoken to a judge before. To hear how one started as a journalist and ended up being a judge was inspiring. You can start somewhere small and work your way up the line to become what you desire to be.

After that two senior probation officers came into the room to tell us about their jobs. One was a supervision officer who dealt more with helping inmates after release while the other was on the investigation side of probation. I always thought that probation officers just helped inmates get on their feet after being released and making sure they did not commit more crimes. That is not all they do. I got to learn that they are there for the whole time from the arrest. The investigation officer takes the time to put together a plan for the arrested person that helps with sentencing. After the sentence has been served the supervising officer helps them get back into society. These two women seemed to love what they do and honestly made me want to look more into probation due to how passionate they were.

We also had the time to sit in on a sentencing hearing which was amazing to watch. We got to see how the judge worked and how the attorneys and probation officer added their input to the sentence given to the defendant. Overall, this was a great learning experience, and I am glad to be a part of ACJA since it gave me this opportunity. This trip also was not just about the learning experience; it allowed me to get closer with the organization. I got to spend time with other members in the group through mini golfing and walking around Boston for the remainder of the day.

Maria Paula Montoya Mayorga ’25

As a criminal justice major with a concentration in crime analysis and a national security minor, I am hoping to become an FBI special agent or a Secret Service agent in the future. The John Joseph Moakley U.S Courthouse trip was an amazing opportunity, and I feel very grateful to have experienced it. We got to learn more in depth about the court system, and this specific courthouse that handles trials and appeals.

First, we had the opportunity to take a tour around the courthouse and were informed of its history. We learned about the different high-profile cases that were decided there and also got to see the U.S Marshals’ Most Wanted wall. Second, we met with two appellate judges, Chief Judge Barron and Judge Rikelman, and two probation officers, and we asked them questions about their paths and careers. Lastly, we had the opportunity to witness a sentencing hearing.

This trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I am forever grateful to have been a part of it. I learned so much in a day and got to consider another career choice. I became interested in the U.S. Marshals as a possible career. I got to hear about the justice system from different individuals who are so knowledgeable and passionate about their careers, and it was truly moving.

I am sure that when I have the opportunity to be in my career in the future, I will look back on the days that helped shape me into a respectable agent, and I am positive that this will be one of them.

Noah DiNallo ’24, Abbi Griggs ’25, and Maria Paula Montoya Mayorga ’25 are criminal justice majors at the University of New Haven. Colin S. Graham ’23, ’24 M.S., is a candidate in the University’s graduate program in investigations and a graduate of the University’s B.S. Criminal Justice program.

Recent News

University Celebrates Impact and Growth of Prison Education Program

The University of New Haven Prison Education Program and the Yale Prison Education Initiative are collaborating to create transformative educational opportunities for incarcerated students. The Charger and local communities recently came together to support the program and reflect on how it is making an important difference in the lives of students.

University News

University of New Haven Appoints Forward-Looking Leader as Provost

Following a comprehensive national search, Nancy Ortins Savage, Ph.D., was named provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. She was appointed to the role after excelling in an interim capacity for nearly the last two years, distinguishing herself as a collaborative and data-driven leader.

Sport Management Career Expo Connects Students and Industry Professionals

For the second year in a row, the University’s career expo for sport management majors has enabled students to interact with representatives from dozens of companies and organizations – including several alumni. It was a great way for students to network while exploring career and internship opportunities.

• All Graduate Programs
• Doctoral Degree Programs
• Master's Degree Programs
• Dual Bachelor's/Master's Degrees
• Postbaccalaureate Programs
• Special Students (Non-Degree)
• Meet Our Faculty
• Apply Online
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Application Fees
• Admitted Students
• Request Information
• Diversity at GSAS
• International Applicants
• Visiting Brandeis and Waltham
• Cost of Attendance Calculator
• Financial Aid
• Aid for Master's Students
• Alum Scholarship
• Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers Scholarship
• Veterans Benefits
• Aid for Doctoral Students
• Stipend Information
• DEIS Scholarship
• Aid for Postbaccalaureate Students
• How to Apply for Loans
• News and Events
• Latest News
• Professional Development Series
• Upcoming Events
• Newsletters
• Student Resources
• Wellness Resources
• Student Employment
• Student Government
• Academic Resources
• GSAS Policies and Procedures
• Readmission
• Information for Incoming Students 2023
• Completing Your Program
• Staff Directory By Subject
• Teaching Opportunities with Undergraduates
• University Prize Instructorship
• Teaching Opportunities: Off-Campus and With Other Communities
• Graduate Student Teaching Awards
• Awards for Master's Students
• Awards for PhD Students
• Fellowships and Grants
• GSAS Fellowship and Grant Recipients
• Publications, Presentations, and Performances
• Graduate Student Appreciation Week - 2024
• Summer 2024 Funding and Professional Development
• Commencement
• Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean's Mentoring Award Nominations
• Professional Development
• One-on-One Career Consultations
• Past Career Seminar Recordings
• Job Search Resources
• Brandeis Alumni Career Paths
• Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
• Career Fellows Program
• Get Funding
• Program Overview
• Information for Students
• Information for Faculty
• Staff Directory by Subject
• Our Stories
• GSAS Couples
• Our Scholarship
• Program Celebrations
• Favorite Memories
• Brandeis 75th Anniversary
• Dean's Priorities
• Dean's Cabinet
• Alumni Career Paths
• Resources, Policies, and Procedures for Faculty and Staff
• Graduate Council
• Donate to GSAS

Brandeis combines the resources of a world-class research university with the personal attention of a liberal arts setting. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers 17 doctoral programs and more than 40 master's and postbaccalaureate programs.

One of the key differences at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is our emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. You will learn the importance of connecting with people who have a broad range of expertise and experience.

We support all doctoral students and the majority of master’s and post-baccalaureate students who maintain satisfactory academic progress with loans and scholarships.

Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

• Student Life
• Academic Resources and Policies
• Teaching Opportunities and Resources
• Conference and Research Awards

Find important resources and information to help you succeed as a GSAS student.

• Events and Career Seminars
• The Connected PhD

Professional development at GSAS is for PhD and MA students in all departments and in all stages of their career. Whether you are just starting or are about to finish your degree, the resources we provide are for you. Our goal is to enable students to pursue fulfilling careers in the private sector, academia, non-profits and government.

• GSAS 70th Anniversary
• GSAS Alumni

Find a member of staff who can address your questions. Meet your Graduate Department Representative and your Director of Graduate Study.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Gsas students shine in 2024 three minute thesis competition.

April 30, 2024

Ayla Cordell | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The 2024 Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) at Brandeis Graduate School of Arts & Sciences was not Will Dahl’s first rodeo. “It took me two tries,” the Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student said. “On my first attempt last year, I missed a line and stood silent for what felt like ages. To be honest, I was terrified!” This year, Will took home the first place prize for the Sciences of $1,000 and the overall win. He credits his success to careful planning, refinement, and lots of practice. He focused on formatting his talk as a story that would resonate with a wide audience: “Every sentence must be calibrated to communicate, and there is no room for asides. The talk converges from broader impacts to the actual thesis.”

Explaining your research in just three minutes is a tall order, but on April 5, the third annual 3MT Competition, founded by the University of Queensland , saw ten GSAS students meet that very task. Marika McCann, Associate Director of Professional Development at GSAS and member of the 3MT team, alongside Associate Professor of Anthropology and Faculty Director of Professional Development Jon Anjaria; Anahita Zare of MRSEC ; and Becky Prigge, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at GSAS, said this about the 2024 competitors: “Our team was very impressed with how hard our students worked and the overall enthusiasm they brought to their talks. The audience learned so much from our students in this short time, including the possibility of early detection of Parkinson’s Disease, the importance of examining circadian rhythms, patterns in Honduran ceramics, and Tamil transfeminine performance in post-war Sri Lanka.”

Under the bright white stage lights and looking out upon an audience of friends, family, members of the Brandeis community, and a panel of five judges, finalists took to the Spingold Theatre stage. While it was certainly nerve-wracking, contestants noted the benefits of presenting in this format.

Manning Zhang, who won first place in the Humanities/Creative Arts/Social Sciences category, said the best moment of the competition was standing on the stage for the final round with rushing adrenaline. Acknowledging that few friends and family know about what she researches in Sociology and Health Policy, she began sharing more with them to understand how different people would react to her research. While this helped her prepare for the competition, it ended up holding deeper meaning for Zhang: “It took me a really long time to pursue my research and say, ‘This is meaningful.’ Getting feedback from people and hearing that they understand what I’m doing is really important to me.”

Victoria Khaghani, a Master’s student in Anthropology who was Runner Up in the Humanities/Creative Arts/Social Sciences category, echoed this sentiment. “You have to push yourself pretty hard to be able to condense your research down. But being able to then present my research to my family and have them say, ‘We finally understand what you’re doing,’ where they can understand the importance of it…that was huge.”

While contestants hoped to teach their audience something about their research, some finished the competition having learned new things about themselves. “I really like speaking in front of people,” Pranav Ojha, a Molecular and Cell Biology PhD student, discovered. “Figuring out what words to say, how to communicate them to inspire care - I enjoyed that process, and I’m coming out of it with different career ideas.” His passion for public speaking was evident - Ojha finished the competition with a total $1,250, after winning both Runner Up in the Sciences and the People’s Choice Award, which is determined through audience vote.

The final round may have showcased three minutes of individual presentation, but 3MT thrives as a collective and collaborative effort. “This is one of the only opportunities GSAS students at Brandeis have to share their research with the overall Brandeis community, outside of their departments,” McCann noted. Zhang (Sociology and Health Policy) even reached out to 2022 winner Emiliano Gutierrez-Popoca (PhD English ‘23), whose talk on Master-Servant Relations in Early Modern Drama led him to the National 3MT competition. Though they come from different disciplines, 3MT provided a platform for shared experience, and Popoca helped Zhang revise her draft for the final round. “I’ve gained a lot of rapport with people I didn’t think I could have rapport with…networking is very precious,” Zhang said. The 3MT community at Brandeis continues to strengthen and grow, and we cannot wait for next year!

Special thanks to 3MT sponsors: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, Mandel Center for the Humanities, Office of the Vice Provost for Research, and the Division of Sciences

This year’s winners include:

First Place - William Dahl (overall winner), Molecular and Cell Biology, Stressed Cells' Secret Weapon for Survival

Runner Up - Pranav Ojha, Molecular and Cell Biology, What Makes our Clock Tick: A Look at Where It All Starts

Humanities/Social Sciences/Creative Arts

First Place - Manning Zhang, Sociology and Health Policy, Move It or Lose It

Runner Up - Victoria Khaghani, Anthropology, The Devil’s in the Details: Neglected Patterns of Honduras

People’s Choice

Pranav Ojha

Search form

Four faculty members honored for commitment to graduate student mentorship.

Sreeganga Chandra, Jennifer Allen, Marynel Vázquez, and Grace Kao

Four Yale faculty members have been honored by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) with this year’s Graduate Mentor Awards for outstanding commitment to advising and student support.

The winners are Sreeganga Chandra, associate professor of neurology and neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine; Jennifer Allen, associate professor of history in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS); Marynel Vázquez, assistant professor of computer science at the Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science; and Grace Kao, the IBM Professor of Sociology and professor of ethnicity, race and migration at FAS.

“ The Graduate Mentor Awards recognize our faculty’s extraordinary commitment to fostering the intellectual and professional growth of Yale’s graduate students,” said GSAS Dean Lynn Cooley. “Each of the recipients embodies the highest ideals of our academic community, inspiring both excellence and innovation among the next generation of scholars.”

Originally developed in conjunction with the Graduate Student Assembly, the graduate school’s student government, the awards began in 2008 and are the university’s principal recognition for superb teaching, advising, and mentoring of graduate students.

Students are invited to nominate faculty members for the award every February. One award is given in each of four divisions: biological sciences, humanities, physical sciences and engineering, and social sciences.

Winners are chosen by a committee of students and faculty. This year’s awards will be presented during the GSAS convocation on May 19.

Sreeganga Chandra (Biological Sciences)

Sreeganga Chandra’s research focuses on synaptic biology and neurodegeneration. Student nominations highlighted her unflagging support of their work in the Chandra Lab. She pairs rigor, detailed and constructive feedback, and high expectations with generosity and approachability, they said, thereby modeling ideal mentorship by focusing on their development as whole humans, not just as researchers.

Jennifer Allen (Humanities)

Jennifer Allen’s work focuses on modern Germany, in particular late-20 th -century cultural practices. She was praised by students for her deep commitment to pedagogy and for her intellectual generosity. Keenly attentive to students’ development as scholars and future leaders in the field, she was credited with shaping them into stronger writers, thinkers, and mentors in their own right.

Marynel Vázquez (Physical Sciences and Engineering)

Marynel Vázquez’s research focuses on human-robot interaction. She leads the Yale Interactive Machines Group. Her students emphasized her infectious optimism and confidence-inspiring support of their research and teaching. They praised her dedication to their professional development, as well as her kindness, patience, and consideration of their academic and personal growth.

Grace Kao (Social Sciences)

Grace Kao is the director of the Center for Empirical Research on Stratification and Inequality. Her research focuses on racial, ethnic, and immigrant differences in education outcomes and transitions to adulthood; interracial friendships and romantic relationships; the sociology of music; and dating and marriage in South Korea. She was lauded by students for her dedication to their professional development — opening doors by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and mentoring them through the publication process — and for inspiring their excitement for the field and the profession.

Campus & Community

Casgevy and Lyfgenia: Two gene therapies approved for sickle cell disease

Humanitas: A jazzy Christmas, Maya art, and a column spawns a new seminar

Yale Economics magazine celebrates a remarkable year for the department

Are U.S. cities preparing for the flooding to come?

• Show More Articles

• Convocation 2024
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Pardee Students Lead Inaugural Graduate Research Conference

The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University recently hosted its first annual Pardee Atlas Graduate Research Conference on April 19, 2024. The student-led conference, organized by the editorial team of the Pardee Atlas Journal of Global Affairs, brought together graduate students from across the Greater Boston area to present their research and engage in discussions around the theme of “Global Challenges and Solutions for the 21st Century.”

The conference featured a diverse range of presentations from students at institutions including Boston University, Harvard University, Brandeis University, and others. Topics spanned issues in global education, health, humanitarian crises, geopolitics, and security.

“When I first started my graduate degree, I wanted to see more engagement between graduate students and give my fellow colleagues the opportunity to share their work and views on global issues impacting us today,” said Manpreet Singh, Editor-in-Chief of the Pardee Atlas Journal and co-chair of the conference. “With the leadership of my fellow co-chairs Brooke Van Ackooy and Alexis Moran, I am excited to see this vision come to life through our inaugural conference.”

The conference provided a platform for interdisciplinary exchange, with presentations covering subjects like teacher shortages in the Philippines and Venezuela, cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccination programs in Russia and Nigeria, impacts of the Taliban regime on gender and ethnic rights in Afghanistan, and the emergence of paramilitary organizations in post-Soviet Russia, among others.

“It was a pleasure working with both Brooke and Alexis as we built the foundation for future conferences,” Singh added. “Thank you to all the presenters for taking the time to share your work and engage in lively discussion. I also want to thank the Dean’s Office and Pardee School administrative team for their support in making this event possible.”

The conference organizers plan for this to become an annual event, fostering dialogue and collaboration among the next generation of global leaders and thinkers in the Boston area. 2024 presenters and their abstracts can be accessed here.

View all posts

Risen from the ashes and making a difference

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda, a human rights atrocity that left approximately one million Tutsi dead over the course of about 100 days.

Marcel Uwineza, a Jesuit priest and Boston College graduate, was a young teen in Rwanda in 1994. He was beaten and his home and all his family’s belongings were burned. His two brothers, a sister, and an aunt were killed. His mother was beaten and later died from her injuries. Fr. Uwineza and his three younger siblings were saved when a Hutu man hid them on his property.

Fr. Uwineza “illustrates the profound and enduring dynamics between the goodness and mercy of God on one hand, and the proclivity of sinful human nature to rebel against the divine call to 'Love God and neighbor' on the other” in his memoir, Risen from the Ashes: Theology as Autobiography in Post-Genocide Rwanda . He reviews the history that led to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and recounts the painful experience of being a witness to the genocide. He also writes of his journey to the priesthood and the liberating power of forgiveness—specifically, the moment when he forgave the man who killed his siblings.

Fr. Uwineza had returned to his village to pray at the burial site of his family. The man who killed his siblings had been released from jail and approached Fr. Uwineza, who was frightened and didn’t know what this man wanted from him. Then, the man knelt and asked for forgiveness. Fr. Uwineza raised the man up, embraced him, and said, “I forgive you.”

Risen from the Ashes also details how Fr. Uwineza has been using what he calls his “extra time” to be “a living bridge between the wounded in Rwanda and those who did the wounding.” He said: “I want to be a messenger of reconciliation and a way for people to reach God.”

When he was a BC doctoral candidate in 2019, he spoke to the United Nations General Assembly on the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda . He offered powerful personal testimony and forgave the U.N. and the international community for abandoning Rwanda in its time of need.

Fr. Uwineza co-organized a conference in Rwanda that assembled an international group of bishops, theologians, and multidisciplinary researchers to explore restoring fundamental peace and rebuilding lasting reconciliation as a Catholic Church in post-genocide Rwanda.

At the conference, Fr. Uwineza gave a talk titled “Reimagining Humanity: A Theology that Makes Sense of the Wounds of History,” where he compared the dry bones seen in the memorials in Rwanda to the country’s enduring scars, and he emphasized the theological imperative of memory.

Fr. Uwineza is co-editor of an important scholarly volume drawn from that conference, titled Reinventing Theology in Post-Genocide Rwanda: Challenges and Hopes (Georgetown University Press, 2023). It is considered the first comprehensive examination of the Catholic Church’s role in the genocide against the Tutsi and its attempts at reconciliation. Boston College contributors to the publication include the late Dean Thomas D. Stegman, S.J., and Professor Emerita M. Shawn Copeland.

He also is author of a forthcoming publication from Brill titled Healing a Wounded People: A Theology for a Divided World.

Fr. Uwineza (center, holding his book) is flanked by Boston College alumni Jane and Richard (Dick) Darveau who first encountered Fr. Uwineza in 2018 as a visiting priest at St. Patrick's Church in Stoneham, Mass. The couple has stayed in touch with the Jesuit priest and visited with him when he was back on the BC campus in April. (Photo by Kathleen Sullivan)

Fr. Uwineza graduated from Boston College with a licentiate in systematic theology, master’s in theology, and Ph.D. in systematic theology. After his studies at BC, he earned an M.B.A. from York St John University in the United Kingdom.

Today, he is the principal (president) of Hekima University College in Nairobi, Kenya , a Jesuit school of theology and peace studies for more than 350 men and women. He said his goal is to make Hekima “the premier Jesuit institution in the Southern hemisphere.”

In his first year as leader of the school, Fr. Uwineza oversaw the conversion of the school’s two campuses to solar power. Sunshine is in abundance, he said, and it made fiscal and ecological sense to replace the expensive and unreliable electricity-based power system. The loan for project is still outstanding, he said, but more than half has been paid off.

One of the strategic initiatives that Fr. Uwineza is focused on is the formation of women, particularly educating more women in theology and increasing scholarships for women. “There is a lot of suffering on my continent, but wherever people suffer, we know women suffer the most,” he said in a recent interview. “Women carry the burden of the family, but if we can educate one woman, we can lift up a whole village.” He has raised funds for women to pursue master’s degrees in peace-building, and is committed to raising even more funds to educate more women.

Earlier this year, Hekima University College organized a conference on African Women theologians that featured presentations from women theologians, including Boston College theologians Lisa Sowle Cahill and M. Shawn Copeland, to highlight the important role women can have in addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental harm.

Another of Fr. Uwineza’s goals is to expand the capacity of Hekima by increasing enrollment, offering courses online, and ultimately creating a doctoral program. That goal will need to be supported with new infrastructure and the training of professors.

Fr. Uwineza said he is blessed to have a wonderful faculty and strong team supporting his vision. He added that he is guided by the example of stewardship and strategic leadership he witnessed at Boston College under University President William P. Leahy, S.J. “The heart of leadership is making a difference for others,” Fr. Uwineza said.

“I am so grateful for the formation I received at Boston College,” said Fr. Uwineza, adding that he truly found a home in BC’s Jesuit community. “These wonderful Jesuits celebrate your success as theirs at every juncture. It was a joy and gave me a sense of belonging.”

To connect with Fr. Uwineza or to support his ministry, email him at principal@hekima.ac.ke or mwizasjbc@gmail.com, or visit the Hekima University College website, https://hekima.ac.ke/ .