Anthropology Graduate Students were asked to reflect on their GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowships in light of the Annual GradFUTURES Forum Professional Development Conference beginning today, April 5th.
Vinicius Cardoso Reis, G2 | Podcasting for Humanities Graduate Students: Storytelling for a Modern Audience
"As a Ph.D. student without previous experience in podcasting, the Institute allowed me to really understand the full potential of this medium. I am an avid consumer of podcasts, but now I finally feel like I have the skills to start a project of my own. I wish to bridge the gap between my academic research at Princeton and broader communication opportunities, using podcasts to share stories and findings in a meaningful and interesting way."
Kymberley Chu, G2 | XPRIZE Healthspan
“Through a GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowship, I am a communication platforms administrator for XPRIZE's Healthspan project. Although my academic research examines how communities perceive the anthropogenic drivers of human-animal conflict in Malaysia, I leverage qualitative data analytics and community engagement skills for communicating with a diverse range of scientific organizations. Harnessing the creative dynamics of collaboration, my work is crucial for reframing cultural perceptions and equitable solution-making processes that shape the collective future of global health.”
Aleksandar Kostić, G8 | New America: Planetary Politics
“Thanks to the GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowship, I am a Research Fellow for New America's Planetary Politics Program. This program is focused on transformation of institutions and adaptations of the international system to new global challenges, such as climate change, emerging technologies, and new types of security issues. This resonates both with some of what I observed during my doctoral research in Kyrgyzstan, where environment protection institutions are transformed in light of new forms of international cooperation on biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change; and with my interest in looking at application and policy consequences of my research. At New America, I mostly work on the issues of global efforts on green energy transition, and international AI governance.”
Aderayo Sanusi, G7 | Ford Foundation Mission Investments
"As a Social Impact Fellow on the Ford Foundation Mission Investments team, I evaluate the impact of potential small business and infrastructure investments in West Africa and the United States. I also conduct due diligence on the key elements, background, and impact strategy of investment funds. I applied for this opportunity because as a field researcher embedded in two local agricultural technology startups, I noticed that impact investors like Ford Foundation Mission Investments financed business models aimed at improving Nigeria's agricultural production and renewable energy infrastructure."
GradFUTURES Social Impact Fellowships are bespoke opportunities for Princeton graduate students with nonprofit organizations that have partnered with the Graduate School. Host organizations work closely with the Graduate School to determine the learning outcomes and professional development goals for these immersive experiences.