Student Projects

Student Projects

The Hart Leadership Program has a long history of exemplary student work, and we are proud to showcase here a selection of student research projects, internships, and honors theses dating back to 2011. Below, you can explore nearly 400 student projects, filtering by project type, Hart program affiliated with the project, thematic topics, project locations, and project years. The database does not provide the full text of students' projects, but it does provide abstracts of student work wherever available, as well as more information including students' class year and, when applicable, the name of the community partner organization a student worked with to conduct their internship or research. We will continue to expand the database as our students continue conducting phenomenal projects. In the meantime, use the search function below to explore our incredible students' work, and get inspired!

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Environmental Justice in the Urban Environment

Zoë Macomber, Internship | 2022

focused on: Climate, Conservation, & the Natural Environment / Race & Ethnicity / The Built Environment, Housing, & Land Use

Duke’s Environmental Justice Lab conducts projects in partnership with community non-profits to assess gentrification and housing trends in Durham, NC. Zoë’s research focused on parcel-level analysis of affordable housing interventions to highlight next steps for community partners to protect the city’s affordable housing stock.

Participatory Planning for Environmental Justice

Zoë Macomber, SOL Capstone Project | 2022

focused on: Climate, Conservation, & the Natural Environment / Government, Politics, Democracy, & Engagement / Race & Ethnicity / The Built Environment, Housing, & Land Use

Urban planning historically has contributed to harm for environmental justice communities, marginalizing voices rather than inviting meaningful partnership. This research project explored implementation of Sherry Arnstein’s “Ladder of Participation” (1969) to redistribute power to environmental justice communities. Focusing on participatory models which emphasize the assets that communities bring to the …

Community Land Trusts: Developing a Theory of Change

Pilar González Kelly, SOL Capstone Project | 2022

focused on: The Built Environment, Housing, & Land Use

I researched the Durham Community Land Trust’s theory of change in order to develop my own theory of change. Land is, and has always been, a significant source of economic, social, and political power. In the past four decades, the Durham Community Land Trust has become on of the most …

A Guide to Building Diverse Hubs for the Sunrise Movement

Allison Bunker, Community-Based Research Project | 2019

focused on: Climate, Conservation, & the Natural Environment / Race & Ethnicity / The Built Environment, Housing, & Land Use

Research Question: Why are regional hubs for the Sunrise Movement overwhelmingly white and wealthy, and how can these hubs diversify and include more perspectives at the table?

Recruitment and Dissemination for Virtual Online Moral March

Lily Levin, Community-Based Research Project | 2020

focused on: Government, Politics, Democracy, & Engagement / Systems of Knowledge & Belief: Education, Media, Religion, & Discourse / Technology & the Internet

*Due to COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 SOL projects were conducted virtually. [Abstract not currently available.]

Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Education Plans for Students in China

Leslie Li, Community-Based Research Project | 2020

focused on: Gender & Sexuality / Health, Wellbeing, & Care Work / Systems of Knowledge & Belief: Education, Media, Religion, & Discourse

*Due to COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 SOL projects were conducted virtually. [Abstract not currently available.]