From environmental justice to accessible education, IDS-funded researchers are tackling urgent social challenges and helping students find their place in STEM. Now, they’re telling their stories. Hear directly from faculty and students as they reflect on what it means to do science with purpose, build confidence, and find belonging in their fields.
Dangerous chemicals are turning up across the Massachusetts water supply—but are some communities more impacted than others? With support from an IDS research grant, one team of scientists, economists, and students is uncovering how water contamination intersects with social disparities. Their work is generating data, informing policy, and advancing academic careers—including one undergraduate student whose lab manual is now department standard.
From alumni gatherings to cross-sector partnerships, IDS Director Buju Dasgupta’s recent trip to Seattle showed how IDS’ ideas are resonating far beyond Amherst—and building towards a nationwide movement for social change. In this personal reflection, Buju shares key takeaways from her book tour, the potent connections she built, and why the path to systemic change begins with the spaces we shape every day.