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

Research-based support toolkit for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder including a board game and an “Engagement-To-Go Bag"

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

Sample projects

Research-based support toolkit for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder including a board game and an “Engagement-To-Go Bag"

A Social Policy Report examining mental health systems for Indigenous individuals in crisis, integrating cultural frameworks and policy recommendations

An educational handout for young adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, designed for potential use by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Guidebook introducing adolescents to the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences and equipping them with tools of resilience

Academic research paper analyzing data to answer the question of whether the creation of migrant shelters in NYC led to an increase in crime

Academic research paper examining how America's standing in the world has changed in response to President Trump's tariffs

Policy memo providing recommendations to address food insecurity in Sacramento

Conceptualized database of ESG data intended to expand investor access to corporate sustainability information

Research paper investigating how women in male-dominated industries utilize gender awareness and gender blindness strategies to navigate workplace challenges

Paper exploring the U.S.'s use of humanitarian and cultural programs as soft power tools to advance foreign policy goals

Presentation recommending specific evidence-backed strategies to address the problem of sex trafficking in the Philippines

Presentation analyzing how a company's size can influence its response to protectionist trade policies

Academic paper synthesizing causal evidence on the impact of women’s leadership on economic development

Policy proposal for school administrators on how to implement AI policies that will protect students

Creation of a task-based curriculum for adult English as a Second Language learners with a fully built-out unit on health care access with lesson plans, pedagogic materials, and corresponding resources

Academic paper on second language acquisition focused on the use of AI in language-learning apps

Blog post on the intersection of language and music through the lens of musical surrogate languages, with a specific analysis of a surrogate language used by the Igbo in Nigeria on the oja, a type of flute

Academic paper exploring the pivotal role that Qian Xuesen played in strengthening China's missile development program during the Cold War, and how this influenced the trajectory of US-China rivalry in science and technology

Research paper exploring the legacy of landmark Supreme Court case Plyer v. Doe and how it continues to impact immigration policy

Academic research paper comparing conservation agriculture and multistrata forestry as alternatives to industrial agriculture

Analytic research paper recommending specific reforms to states’ education funding formulas to increase school funding equity for high-need students

Academic research paper investigating the link between campaign finance and political polarization in the U.S.

15-slide presentation on water footprints in ESG metrics, with case studies of major corporations and youth-led ventures combining corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, and public policy

Paper evaluating the effectiveness of the EU's Emissions Trading System at reducing emissions without harming economic competitiveness

Legal memo addressing how First Amendment protections intersect with anti-SLAPP statutes

Case study analysis exploring how sustainable packaging initiatives can contribute to environmental impact reduction and business success

Paper comparing state policies affecting migrants and analyzing their effects on migrants' fear of seeking medical care, with resulting mental and physical health outcomes

Paper examining how social ventures can effectively increase hearing aid equity

Academic research paper investigating barriers to girls' education in rural Pakistan and proposing policy solutions

Paper evaluating the effectiveness of mandatory versus incentive-based land use programs in addressing the housing crisis in New York City

Academic research paper examining the role nuclear energy can play in addressing the world’s energy issues and increasing energy demands of AI

Research-backed paper and business plan addendum analyzing a period equity focused nonprofit and proposing partnerships with relevant companies

Sports analytics report investigating the growth in popularity of women's collegiate basketball over the past decade

Research paper demonstrating the key role influencer heterogeneity plays in the influencer marketing industry

Academic paper containing a comparative analysis of different countries' governance systems and a proposal for a new U.S. system focused on overall wellbeing

Academic paper with case study analysis of how private equity influences companies' business trajectories

Research paper examining the "model minority myth" in the U.S. education system and policymaking

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