Mentorships in the social sciences turn a critical eye towards our cultural institutions, their structures and foundations to better understand how they function and influence those who live within them. This encompasses the "soft sciences" of political science, public health, economics, psychology, sociology, linguistics, anthropology and more. Through a social science mentorship, students who are drawn to gaining deeper insights into the world around us can turn an academic lens onto the questions that intrigue them, using research to develop and propose concrete solutions.

Sample projects

Academic paper comparing the approaches of the Shah and the Ayatollah Khomeini regarding their relations with Israel and other countries/actors in the region

History History

Global Affairs Global Affairs

Slideshow exploring the question of "over-policing," examining the history and consequences of different police interactions and proposing alternative approaches

Public Policy Public Policy

History History

Political Science Political Science

Research paper examining historic political polarization across the urban/rural divide in the United States, particularly in the South

History History

Political Science Political Science

Academic paper comparing two case studies in regions with programs to make solar energy affordable for low income households

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Public Policy Public Policy

A paper examining the environmental impacts of food, with a specific analysis of the World Central Kitchen's operations and suggestions for environmentally-friendly improvements

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Global Affairs Global Affairs

Academic paper comparing affordable housing models, evaluating resident satisfaction, maintenance quality, and health outcomes in each

Urban Studies Urban Studies

Public Policy Public Policy

Paper exploring ESG investing and how climate finance can produce positive environmental outcomes

Business Business

Public Policy Public Policy

Policy brief on literacy among low income children with suggestions for reducing socio-economic disparities in literacy

Education Education

Public Policy Public Policy

Policy report prepared for NYC Councilmember on Department of Sanitation rule regarding commercial waste containers, including the effect of the rule on local businesses and policy recommendations

Business Business

Urban Studies Urban Studies

Research paper on the rise in sustainability practices in Irish dairy farming and the implications of this for farmers

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Paper analyzing an online counseling service using both a business canvassing model and SWOT analysis looking at the business' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

Business Business

Public & Global Health Public & Global Health

Research paper examining the causes and consequences of overfishing, the promise of aquaculture and cases where it is working well, and policy recommendations for combating overfishing

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Public Policy Public Policy

Discussion of the grand strategy approach to mis/disinformation in health communication and strategies to mitigate the harmful impacts on Generation Z

Public & Global Health Public & Global Health

Medicine Medicine

Paper analyzing the effect of social media influencers' gender on perceived influencer credibility

Gender Studies Gender Studies

Social Media Social Media

Creation of a digital slide deck exploring common misconceptions about organic food and unpacking the complexities of organic agriculture

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Research paper evaluating the effectiveness of savings and microfinance interventions for empowering women, as well as a proposal for a research study on a specific question unanswered by current literature

Economics Economics

Gender Studies Gender Studies

Creation of a virtual/interactive Gender Equity and Equality Guidebook offering advice to female athletes on how to utilize NIL ("name, image, and likeness") to help their careers and obtain further prominence and profit

Sports Sports

Business Business

Policy brief addressing the current pros and cons of AI application in the education space, with recommended AI policy "dos" and "don'ts" for the pedagogical, governance, and operational realms

Education Education

Public Policy Public Policy

Creation of a virtual NIL ("name, image, and likeness") guidebook with advice for high school and college-aged athletes on using their NIL, together with a video presentation on NIL issues for student athletes

Sports Sports

Business Business

Analysis of how U.S. policy has failed to address the crisis of climate-induced migration and what steps might be taken in the future

Environmental Studies Environmental Studies

Urban Studies Urban Studies

Analysis of the challenges and potential solutions for tackling female inequity in sports, with an argument that it is profitable to invest in women's professional athletics

Sports Sports

Economics Economics

Analysis of unethical business practices through a case-study on Sam Bankman-Fried, with comparative evaluations of the Enron and Bernie Madoff scandals

Business Business

Sociology Sociology

Literature review and policy recommendations to address the paradox of plenty (aka the "resource curse")

Economics Economics

International Relations International Relations

Analysis paper on media and polarization, with specific focus on the Gaza War and student experience

Global Affairs Global Affairs

Social Media Social Media

Academic paper on women’s access to education across the globe

Global Affairs Global Affairs

Three opinion pieces on sustainable fashion: an OpEd on ultra-fast-fashion brand Shein; a reflection piece with a personal perspective on sustainable fashion; and a general interest piece on how consumers can learn more about sustainable fashion

EACH HUGO MENTORSHIP COMBINES AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH PROJECT WITH EXPERT-GUIDED STUDY

Sample projects

Academic paper comparing the approaches of the Shah and the Ayatollah Khomeini regarding their relations with Israel and other countries/actors in the region

Slideshow exploring the question of "over-policing," examining the history and consequences of different police interactions and proposing alternative approaches

Research paper examining historic political polarization across the urban/rural divide in the United States, particularly in the South

Academic paper comparing two case studies in regions with programs to make solar energy affordable for low income households

A paper examining the environmental impacts of food, with a specific analysis of the World Central Kitchen's operations and suggestions for environmentally-friendly improvements

Academic paper comparing affordable housing models, evaluating resident satisfaction, maintenance quality, and health outcomes in each

Paper exploring ESG investing and how climate finance can produce positive environmental outcomes

Policy brief on literacy among low income children with suggestions for reducing socio-economic disparities in literacy

Policy report prepared for NYC Councilmember on Department of Sanitation rule regarding commercial waste containers, including the effect of the rule on local businesses and policy recommendations

Research paper on the rise in sustainability practices in Irish dairy farming and the implications of this for farmers

Paper analyzing an online counseling service using both a business canvassing model and SWOT analysis looking at the business' strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats

Research paper examining the causes and consequences of overfishing, the promise of aquaculture and cases where it is working well, and policy recommendations for combating overfishing

Discussion of the grand strategy approach to mis/disinformation in health communication and strategies to mitigate the harmful impacts on Generation Z

Paper analyzing the effect of social media influencers' gender on perceived influencer credibility

Creation of a digital slide deck exploring common misconceptions about organic food and unpacking the complexities of organic agriculture

Research paper evaluating the effectiveness of savings and microfinance interventions for empowering women, as well as a proposal for a research study on a specific question unanswered by current literature

Creation of a virtual/interactive Gender Equity and Equality Guidebook offering advice to female athletes on how to utilize NIL ("name, image, and likeness") to help their careers and obtain further prominence and profit

Policy brief addressing the current pros and cons of AI application in the education space, with recommended AI policy "dos" and "don'ts" for the pedagogical, governance, and operational realms

Creation of a virtual NIL ("name, image, and likeness") guidebook with advice for high school and college-aged athletes on using their NIL, together with a video presentation on NIL issues for student athletes

Analysis of how U.S. policy has failed to address the crisis of climate-induced migration and what steps might be taken in the future

Analysis of the challenges and potential solutions for tackling female inequity in sports, with an argument that it is profitable to invest in women's professional athletics

Analysis of unethical business practices through a case-study on Sam Bankman-Fried, with comparative evaluations of the Enron and Bernie Madoff scandals

Literature review and policy recommendations to address the paradox of plenty (aka the "resource curse")

Analysis paper on media and polarization, with specific focus on the Gaza War and student experience

Academic paper on women’s access to education across the globe

Three opinion pieces on sustainable fashion: an OpEd on ultra-fast-fashion brand Shein; a reflection piece with a personal perspective on sustainable fashion; and a general interest piece on how consumers can learn more about sustainable fashion

Social policy report outlining the positive effects of music education in supporting children’s creativity, purpose, and subjective well-being

Literature review and research proposal studying equine-assisted therapy and flow theory

Paper comparing Hwa-byung cases and treatment in Korea and the US

Paper addressing the role of external actors in the reconstruction process in Ukraine

Big-data analysis and written article comparing financial education policy in California, Texas, and Pennsylvania

Performance-enhancing mindfulness protocol which was presented to professional hockey players

Review paper comparing sugar and technology addiction

Presentation, training, and informational brochure offering support for volunteers working with teens with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Social policy report on the various types of trauma children come to school with, the importance of defining and implementing trauma-informed care in schools, and recommendations for improving support

Article regarding using emotional intelligence in decision-making with the college application process

Review paper exploring the role of vulture funds in Argentina's financial crisis

A collection of websites and a presentation outlining how chess can be useful in developing critical thinking, building hope, and nurturing executive function, with a focus on social justice and the potential for chess to lead to change

Presentation on local journalism, misinformation, and how social dynamics influence political views, with a focus on rural US communities

Designed a swimming instruction curriculum that integrates principles of emotional intelligence

Covert influence operation proposal, including boardgame, marketing, and advertising strategy and rationale

Literature review exploring how trauma and criminality/psychopathology are related

Research paper proposing mitigation strategies to minimize impacts of beauty industry on marine ecosystems

Statistical analysis and paper examining differential impacts of COVID on education and mental well-being for students with disabilities

Statistical analysis and policy recommendations to combat gender discrimination for refugees entering the US

Policy proposal offering solutions to add protection for agricultural prison workers

Essay addressing the influences and challenges posed by bots within digital platform ecosystems

Review paper exploring complexities of infectious Chagas disease management and global public health

Research paper on forgiveness and the forgiveness process using a neurological / neuroevolutionary approach.

Data-driven analysis of Yelp reviews, revealing how star ratings predict the continued operations of restaurants

Co-wrote an article published in Ms. Magazine on a Texas lawsuit that threatened to bankrupt Planned Parenthood

A young voters' handbook, offering a history of voters' rights, vital information about registration and upcoming elections, and why voting is crucial for our democracy's health

A well-researched analysis of the loneliness epidemic's impact on seniors and how letter writing can ameliorate it, shared on a website encouraging young people to write to the elderly

Constructivist analysis of nuclear weapons as deterrents

Report on food justice analyzing corporate causes and solutions to inequity

Academic research paper analyzing the economics of educational access

Paper exploring the geographical dynamics of the US equestrian economy using game theory modeling.

Presentation highlighting the sustainable architecture unique to Japanese culture

Brochure consisting of NYC map overlaying library locations with pertinent data and actionable recommendations

Paper sharing local-scale climate and pollution mitigation strategies for Greenwich residents

Research paper exploring the Chinese American experience with aging in this country, and how it compares to the traditional notion of filial piety in Asian culture

Analysis of how different countries are addressing or failing to address climate change and the important role top greenhouse gas emitters can play on the world stage

Comprehensive literature review paper examining body image, stereotyping, and hiring decisions, documenting negative impacts of sizeism on female job candidates

Creation of a slidedeck for public presentation educating young audiences on individual and public responses to food waste

Course module on mass incarceration in the US from Reconstruction through the present, with a focus on how prison is depicted in our culture and the media

Analysis of union vs. non-union construction outcomes in the private sector with recommendations for the public sector

Research paper analyzing the effect of Ukranian refugees on the economy in Poland, with comparisons to other historic refugee crises

Opinion essay examining the intersection of economics and sports, with a focus on examples of how behavioral economics principles apply in the sports world

Creation of an original website with blog posts discussing the healing power of intergenerational social dance

Policy brief with innovative recommendations for increased access to affordable housing for the workforce in NYC

Research paper including analyses of the counterterrorism policy in the US, the UK, and Jordan, together with policy recommendations

Research paper studying the economics of food insecurity in the US, including an analysis of food insecurity since the COVID pandemic, with proposed recommendations to improve food assistance programs

Research paper analyzing the CityWalk Bishop Ranch development in San Ramon, exploring whether the planning process adequately took into account the needs of service and hospitality workers commuting to the city.

A research paper examining the history of abortion debates in the US since Roe v. Wade and resulting culture wars.

Research paper examining the impact of moral messages on Instagram users' self-esteem and body image beliefs

Research paper on 'false polarization', and how the media impacts people's ideological polarization

Developed an experiment to test how gender and signals of confidence impact entrepreneurial outcomes

Article capturing the menstrual health challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in the US and possible strategies to better support them