Cohorts

2023

2023 Research Seminar — "Food Systems: Culture, Security, and Sustainability"

The 2023 HERE program focused on the topic Food Systems: Culture, Security & Sustainability. Houston’s diverse food scene has gained increasing national recognition, establishing the city as a culinary hotspot. However, among supply chain issues and inflation, many questions remain on how Houston will manage issues such as food scarcity and sustainable infrastructures. In small groups led by a faculty mentor, students developed a research proposal related to a contemporary topic or problem, with themes ranging from diversity and culture, sustainability, food industries, food insecurity and more.

Faculty Mentors: Christiana Chang, Marc Hanke, Kelly Hopkins, Olivia Johnson, Abdul Khan, Marsha Kowal, Marina Trninic, Lesli Vollrath

2022

2022 Research Seminar — "Energy: Where Does Houston Go From Here?"

2022's theme was Energy: Where Does Houston Go From Here? Houston has often been referred to as "The Energy Capital of the World." However, as it faces pressures to diversify its economy, confront global warming, develop alternative fuels, reduce pollution and general discussions about power in light of the Texas grid failure in February 2021, many questions remain about Houston's relationship to energy at the beginning of the 21st century. In this context, HERE students explored the challenges and opportunities associated with the rapid changes affecting our city. In small groups led by a faculty mentor, students developed research proposals related to a contemporary problem, with topics ranging from energy sustainability, poor infrastructure, alternative fuels, environmental justice and more.

Faculty Mentors: Dan Burleson, Charles Becker, Christiana Chang, Marc Hanke, Kelly Hopkins, Olivia Johnson, Rita Sirrieh, Marina Trninic

2021

2021 Research Seminar — Inequality

For the 2021 program, students examined various aspects of inequality in Houston. According to Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg (2020), "Houston is at the forefront of the major changes that are redefining the United States in the twenty-first century - the growing inequalities in a knowledge-based economy, the epic demographic transition, and the new importance of quality of place." In this context, HERE students explored the challenges and opportunities associated with the rapid changes affecting our city. In small groups led by a faculty mentor, students developed research proposals related to a contemporary problem, with topics ranging from income disparity, poor infrastructure, lack of access to affordable healthcare, racial discrimination, and more.

Faculty Mentors: Charles Becker, Christiana Chang, Marc Hanke, Kelly Hopkins, Stacey Louie, Monique Mills, Rita Sirrieh, Lesli Vollrath

2020

2020 Research Seminar — UrbanizationFor the 2020 program, students examined various aspects of urbanization, including infrastructure, policy, demographic patterns, emergency preparedness, and the long-term impacts on affected communities. These topics will contribute to a larger conversation on how the Houston metropolitan area might better address issues related to urbanization.

Faculty Mentors: Marc Hanke, Rita Sirrieh, Lesli Vollrath, Kelly Hopkins, Charles Becker, Christiana Chang, Amin Kiaghadi