Faculty & Research

Conevery Valencius (History), John Ebel (Earth & Environmental Sciences), and Jonathan Krones (Core Fellow)

In the core renewal class Powering America, students will explore American energy systems through the lens of slavery, race, wealth and poverty, science denial, and energy decisions with radical consequences for the future of the planet. The two-part workshop series will help students learn how to communicate across difference with authenticity and compassion using tools to recognize and reconfigure areas of challenge and conflict when they come up in conversation. 

Regine Jean-Charles (Romance Languages and Literatures) and C. Shawn McGuffey (Sociology)

An event held in conjunction the core renewal class Where #blacklivesmatter Meets #metoo: Violence and Representation in the African Diaspora hosted Scheherazade and Dr. Salamishah Tillet, co-founders of A Long Walk Home, to discuss the role that arts can play in ending sexual violence, the specific challenges that victims face when they want to break silence around sexual violence, and how secondary victims of sexual violence, such as family members, friends, and intimate partners can become allies to sexual assault survivors.

Nancy Netzer (McMullen Museum) for the Museum Current lecture series

McMullen Museum is dedicated to providing resources and training to Boston College students from all disciplines interested in work in museums, either as a professional or as a volunteer, board member or trustee. The Museum Current lecture series will provide an opportunity for the McMullen Museum in consultation with faculty from across the University to invite three leading museum-scholars and innovators to Boston College. The aims are to present students, faculty, and staff with a chance to:

• directly converse and network with outstanding leaders in today’s expanding museums industry,
• explore new research areas, developments, and career opportunities in museums,
• gain understanding of relevant leadership skills, museum best practices, and 
• ethics standards necessary to succeed in a broad array of museum careers, andlearn first-hand about the complex ethical issues that face museums operating for the public good of our society.

Tara Gareau (Earth & Environmental Sciences) and Brian Gareau (Sociology)

Governor Bill Ritter Jr., who served as Colorado's 41st governor from 2007 to 2011 was the guest speaker for the core course Global Implications of Climate Change in which students learn about the science of climate change, the social conditions that have prevented climate change mitigation, and the role of policy, practices, and technology in solving the crisis. Gov. Ritter who comes from a state with an equally divided population of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, was a perfect guest to speak to the work that state and local officials can do to lead society to a clean energy future. Ritter’s leadership demonstrated that investment in clean energy is good for the environment, good for communities, and good for the economy. Ritter’s talk, Powering Forward: Why Changing Political Winds Cannot Stop the Energy Revolution was a positive message about our energy future.

Andrew Jewett (History) and Christopher Kenaley (Biology)

Support for a mini-colloquium in conjunction with the core renewal course Science and Technology in American Society gave students a new perspective of leadership and ethics through science and technology.

Julian Bourg (History) and Peter Krause (Political Science)

Support to bring Alison Crowther, the mother of Welles Remy Crowther, BC ’99, who died in the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. Mrs. Crowther talked about leadership through service and was able to help students connect both the personal and ethical consequences of societal needs which are created by terrorism. Hosted in conjuction with the core renewal class The History and Politics of Terrorism.

Stephanie Berzin (SSW)

The Center for Social Innovation (CSI) and the Social Innovation and Leadership Program (SIL) at the Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW) hosted the Nonprofit Innovation Leadership Series. The series engaged social work students and practitioners for advanced discussions around nonprofit leadership in the 21st century. Building on the strength of an existing partnership with United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, the series coupled students with their field supervisors to disseminate and promote innovative practices in leadership at the BCSSW Innovation District Space at the United Way. The first speaker Ed Frechette, chief innovation officer at UTEC, kicked off the series on Wednesday October 5.

Fr. James Burns (WCAS)

The Woods College of Advancing Studies hosted a colloquium on the subject of Ignatian-Based Ethical Leadership in October 2016. Speakers addressed the question of what the Ignatian tradition tells us about the nature of ethical leadership, and the question of how educators can best instill Ignatian ethical principles in their students. The keynote speaker was Chris Lowney, author of Heroic Leadership: Best Practices from a 450-Year-Old Company that Changed the World (2003). Other speakers included Joan Lee (Fairfield University) and Sarah Cabral (CSOM). 

Mary Cronin (CSOM)

The symposium Leading for Social Impact featured leaders who integrate ethical values into their businesses and organizations, specifically with the goal of fostering equality and empowering communities through innovative social change models. The keynote presentations and small panels encouraged all participants to engage actively with the urgency and challenges of systemic social change, and to pursue it practically within organizations.