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Climate change is a major topic of discussion among economists, lawmakers, businesses and the general public. As climate change becomes an increasingly pressing issue, environmental law gains importance for society. Victoria Grieves ’12 will spend the summer contributing to environmental efforts by serving as an intern at the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C.  Her internship is funded by the Levitt Center through its new Leadership Program.

For the past several years, the economic downturn has been making headlines, and so it seems uncommon to study a market specifically for its stability. Yet this is precisely how Mao Ding ’14, a recipient of a 2011 Emerson Summer Grant, plans to spend his summer, researching the reasons behind the surprising steadiness of the Chinese real estate market, which was expected to collapse in 2008 or 2009.

The availability of basic human rights concerns everybody on the planet, and human rights violations are not only pertinent to the area where they take place, but to the global community. For this reason, human rights organizations garner great benefits from supporters around the world, and anybody who spends time with such an organization has the potential to provide critical aid. Roxanne Makoff ’12 will spend her summer as an intern with Amnesty International in New York City in support of the organization's goal of rectifying bhuman rights violations .

As much as science has uncovered about the human brain, the relationship between brain and movement remains relatively unclear. For example, when attempting to point to or touch a specific, moving target, response times vary based on a wide variety of factors. This  summer, Elin Lantz ’13 and Robert Hawkins ’13 along with Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Jonathan Vaughan will study how speed and accuracy of movement are different in the right and left hands.

Rats may be notorious for their unappealing image, but in a scientific laboratory they can be instrumental toward testing hypotheses and unlocking new discoveries. In psychology, studying the behavior of rats can shed light on otherwise baffling animal phenomena. This summer Sarah Cocuzzo ’13 and Megan Lander ’13 are studying rats with regard to the phenomenon of contrafreeloading. Their project will examine the tendency to work for a reward even when it is readily available without any effort.

The political climate in many South American countries is difficult to contemplate.  Ecuador, for example, must cope with a divided population, a struggling democracy, and a president whose power is steadily -- and perhaps dangerously -- increasing. In an attempt to shed some light on Ecuador’s government, Kevin Tutasig ’13  will complete a Summer 2011 Levitt Leadership Program Public Service Internship in Quito, Ecuador, with the Ecuadorian National Assembly.

Previous research has shown music to be a powerful tool in shaping mood, memory, and perspective. Yet many neuroscientists consider music to be too abstract and therefore incapable of providing the concrete details that assist in real-world processing. Sam Briggs ’12 hopes to challenge this perspective with his summer research. Briggs will work with Assistant Professor of Psychology Jeremy Skipper to examine some effects of music for his project, “Re-singing.”

A Hamilton research group will attempt to quantify isolate and study the concept of self-esteem in a resreach project this summer. Arielle Berti ’13, Ellen Doernberg ’13 and Ashley Sutton ’13 will work with Associate Professor of Psychology Jennifer Borton on a study of self-esteem and how it affects everyday life.

The banjo can reveal much about socioeconomic class, slavery and music in the 19th century. Catherine Crone ’13 certainly sees the value in this often-neglected instrument. She will spend this summer researching the banjo in order to build an Internet resource about its past and its significance. Crone will be working under an Emerson Summer Grant with Professor of Music Lydia Hamessley to create their project, “A Study of Banjo Instruction Manuals from the 19th Century.”

For students interested in public policy, the chance to spend a summer in Washington, D.C., means an opportunity to be involved in policy making and to observe government officials at work.  Fertaa Yieleh-Chireh ’12 sees the value in this opportunity, and will be traveling to the nation’s capital for a summer 2011 Public Service Internship at the Public Forum Institute.