A Q&A with Amml Hussein, COM’s 2024 Civic Science Fellow (2024)

Q&A

With Amml Hussein

COM: Now that you’ve been named the next Civic Science Fellow, what are you excited to do while working at COM?

Hussein: I’m super excited about developing the certificate program and also later on to develop the master’s in civic science and communications. I’m a social scientist, so I do a lot of research in human behavior and trauma healing and bring that unique lens from which I see the social environment. With a holistic lens, bringing that into science communication and how we might talk about these issues and raise awareness on these very important topics, especially as it relates to marginalized communities and people who we don’t hear their narratives, I’m really excited to contribute in that respect at the college.

I also am really careful about the language that we use when we talk about minoritized and marginalized communities, that’s something I’m very passionate about, and I want to hopefully bring that to light here at Boston University. When we do talk about these important issues, that we’re being sensitive using language that’s humanizing is really important. I’m eager to develop initiatives that promote science literacy among people of all ages and backgrounds. I’m super excited about organizing workshops, creating educational materials, and hosting public lectures to make complex scientific concepts more accessible and understandable to everyone.

I’m also eager to engage more with our local communities. This is essential for fostering a culture of scientific curiosity and understanding. I’m excited to collaborate with schools, community centers, and other organizations to bring science directly to the people and spark their interest in various scientific disciplines.

Science has the power to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, from climate change to healthcare disparities. I look forward to working with interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative solutions and strategies that leverage scientific knowledge for the betterment of our community.

Diversity and inclusion are crucial for the advancement of science. I’m committed to promoting diversity in STEM fields and creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to participate in scientific discourse and discovery. As a Civic Science Fellow, I’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers and experts both within and outside of COM. I’m excited to learn from their expertise and contribute to meaningful projects that have the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives.

COM: What do you think you can help change with the students, curriculum and research?

Hussein: I am all about developing communities of practice where it includes not just the academics, but we also want to include students, industry partners, our stakeholders from the community, our elected officials and policy makers. I am really excited to develop that kind of a model where we are engaging not only the students, but also giving them opportunities to translate research and their projects into policy.

I work at a lab in Seton Hall where we do that kind of work. We translate research into policy, and it’s been very wonderful to see that and to offer students those opportunities. I think that’s really key. It really makes a big difference in the student experience when they’re able to have those relationships with their elected officials and be able to express what they are studying in their courses and bring it into policy that impacts their communities.

I hope to build a similar kind of structure at Boston University where students gain more of those experiential learning opportunities, that they’re able to make their work relevant in the policy space, and shed light on those important issues that are imperative in their local communities. I think having that impact excites me a lot and motivates me to keep doing this.

COM: Can you tell me a bit more about what civic science communications is, exactly, and how it relates to this program you’re creating?

Hussein: I have been working on a data scan for all the different programs that are closely related to civic science. There’s a lot of different certificate programs that are available across the U.S. and at different universities, so I’m starting there just to get a sense of what’s out there and so that we can build our program more uniquely and position it so that it’s more competitive.

And then in terms of civic science, I think it’s a really important area. It’s a big opportunity for us to work on the way that we describe and talk about different racial or ethnic disparities in different communities as it relates to racial disparities in health outcomes as well as social determinants of health.

Also, access to healthcare is a huge problem when we look across regions. Having that civic science frame of reference is important in shedding light on those opportunities for us to grow as a nation and to develop initiatives and programs to address those gaps in care.

I think that civic science is a huge area where we can help bridge the gap between different policies, different programs, and initiatives that we develop and the way that we communicate to the public.

COM: What, in your past professional experience, are you most proud of creating or implementing?

Hussein: I am involved in collecting and analyzing our Council on Social Work Education annual survey to help us understand the social work education landscape across the US and other countries where they offer accredited programs. Each year, we gather data on student enrollment, graduation rates, student loan burdens, and other crucial metrics to advocate for improvements in educational opportunities. Our survey also delves into faculty demographics, including age, race, gender, salary, and administrative roles. The resulting annual report allows me to illuminate narratives and utilize data visualizations to convey important stories. Addressing disparities, particularly in faculty representation, is a point of pride for me, as our efforts contribute to advancing social work education nationwide.

Another initiative I spearheaded with my team is the Research Policy Practice Summit, which provided student fellows with firsthand exposure to the interconnected realms of research, policy, and practice. By organizing panels, keynote speeches, and workshops featuring industry leaders, we offered student scholars invaluable insights into these areas. Additionally, arranging meetings with local elected officials during a visit to Capitol Hill provided a unique opportunity for our student fellows to engage with policymakers directly.

I am deeply engaged in innovative research exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence and trauma healing. Collaborating with a research partner, we’re pioneering methods to help trauma survivors envision their post-trauma identities and futures through expressive arts and AI technology. By guiding individuals through reflexive activities and using AI to augment images, we aim to facilitate healing and motivate individuals to envision positive futures beyond their traumas. Grounded in future self-theory, this research holds promise for empowering individuals to move forward from trauma and embrace hopeful narratives for their lives. This work is particularly rewarding due to its novelty and potential to make a meaningful impact in an emerging field.

COM: As an undergraduate, you studied journalism and media studies. Since you’re coming back to a communications focus here at COM, how did that background influence your professional experience as a social worker and other work to create this program?

Hussein: As an undergraduate, my focus was on journalism and media studies, a choice driven by my desire to articulate thoughts concisely. This skill has been invaluable throughout my career, enabling effective communication across various professional endeavors. Whether in academia, social work, or my current role, the ability to craft compelling narratives has consistently proved advantageous.
Returning to a communications focus at COM feels like a natural progression for me. The fellowship presents an ideal opportunity to merge my current research projects with communication strategies, akin to the work I undertake at the council. I’m thrilled to have been selected and eager to collaborate with Dean Mariette DiChristina on developing new initiatives that prioritize civic science and the power of storytelling.