Harvard in News on 1/24/2025

 

harvard_business_review: It’s hard to balance a side hustle with the demands of a full-time job. You might feel drained after work or find it difficult to be consistent. The key is to commit to your side hustle one hour a week, push through the first 10-15 minutes, and make sure it feels enjoyable.

 

 

 

 

Jodie Foster To Receive 2025 Radcliffe Medal

Jodie Foster, the Academy Award-winning actress and filmmaker, will receive the 2025 Radcliffe Medal, the highest honor from the Harvard Radcliffe Institute, on Radcliffe Day, May 9, 2025. Recognized for her nearly six-decade career and advocacy for queer youth, Foster’s achievements include two Oscars, four Golden Globes, and recent Emmy and Golden Globe wins for True Detective: Night Country. She will also join a keynote conversation with Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., celebrating her excellence and impact alongside past honorees like Sonia Sotomayor and Hilary Clinton.

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/01/jodie-foster-to-receive-radcliffe-medal/

 

The Psychology of Virtual Reality - Harvard’s Steven Pinker on the psychology underlying the experience—and limitations—of VR

Steven Pinker, Harvard psychology professor, explores the psychological and social dimensions of virtual reality (VR). VR excels at creating "presence," mimicking spatial orientation and peripheral vision for immersive experiences. However, key social cues like eye contact, vital for trust and connection, are lost, limiting VR's ability to replicate real relationships. Despite this, VR holds promise in education, healthcare, training, and therapy, leveraging the "Proteus effect" to enhance behavior and empathy. Ethical concerns, such as privacy risks from data collection, underscore the need for regulations as the VR market grows.

 

Understanding and Addressing Misinformation About Science

Dr. K. "Vish" Viswanath, Chair of a National Academies committee, led a report on combating science misinformation, published in December 2024. Misinformation, which conflicts with established scientific evidence, harms individual decisions, public trust, and health equity, as seen during COVID-19 when misinformation contributed to avoidable deaths. Solutions include monitoring misinformation, ensuring access to credible information, leveraging social media, supporting quality science journalism, and bolstering community-based efforts. At Harvard’s Lee Kum Sheung Center, Dr. Viswanath focuses on translating science into accessible information, fostering well-being, and empowering communities to combat misinformation.

 

Following Dining Hall Crowds, Harvard College Won’t Say Whether It Tracked Wintersession Move-Ins

Harvard College faced criticism after overwhelming student crowds at the Adams House dining hall during Wintersession, prompting frustration over long lines and lack of seating. With only two dining halls—Adams and Currier—open initially, students questioned whether the College had tracked move-in numbers or planned for the surge of returning undergraduates. College spokespersons declined to confirm if such tracking occurred, while students expected better anticipation of dining needs. Harvard University Dining Services (HUDS) acknowledged the issue and plans to adjust services based on this year’s influx for future Wintersessions.

 

In Annual Elections, Students Debate Role of Zionism at Harvard Hillel

Harvard Hillel’s recent student board election highlighted debates over representing Jewish students with diverse political beliefs, particularly regarding Zionism. The election included ideological differences among candidates, especially for the Israel chair position, which became contentious and required a runoff after a no-confidence vote. Tensions around Hillel's role as a Zionist institution and its inclusivity were evident, reflecting broader challenges on campus. The incoming president, Amelia Heller, aims to foster dialogue and ensure Hillel is a welcoming space for all Jewish students, emphasizing unity and pride in Jewish identity amid political and social divides.

 

Harvard partners with national nonprofit to recruit high-achieving low-income students - First QuestBridge Scholars will matriculate in fall 2026

Harvard University has partnered with QuestBridge, a nonprofit connecting high-achieving, low-income students with top colleges, to strengthen its efforts in recruiting diverse, talented individuals. Starting fall 2025, Harvard will participate in QuestBridge's National College Match program, which offers four-year scholarships to matched students. Dean of Admissions William Fitzsimmons highlighted this initiative as part of Harvard’s commitment to accessibility and excellence. QuestBridge CEO Ana Rowena Mallari praised Harvard’s dedication to educating future leaders, with the first QuestBridge Scholars set to matriculate in fall 2026.

 

Harvard Outsources Program to Identify Descendants of Those Enslaved by University Affiliates, Lays Off Internal Staff

Harvard University has laid off the staff of its Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program (HSRP), part of its $100 million Legacy of Slavery initiative tasked with identifying descendants of individuals enslaved by Harvard affiliates. The project will now be led by genealogical nonprofit American Ancestors, an external partner. Staff, including HSRP Director Richard J. Cellini, were terminated without prior notice. This shift follows controversies surrounding the initiative, including accusations of administrative interference. Harvard stated the nonprofit’s expertise would help scale the program, which has identified over 300 enslaved individuals and 100 living descendants.

 

Making Allston Housing (More) Affordable - An affordable homeownership project is proposed on a Harvard-donated site in Allston.

Harvard's donation of a site in Allston will enable Urbanica to build 43 income-restricted homeownership units, addressing the area's severe lack of affordable housing. The project includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom units for households earning up to 80% or 100% of the area median income. Located near the Science and Engineering Complex, the energy-efficient complex will feature bike parking, limited car spaces, and open green spaces connecting to a planned pedestrian-friendly corridor. With 924 new units expected in Allston over the next two years, the project contributes to a 10% housing stock increase.