From Demanding Change to Making It.
The Burnes Center designs and implements practical solutions to society’s hardest problems. We develop innovative, participatory, and equitable approaches to solving public problems using new technology.
from the burnes center
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The Burnes Center’s Impact Insider
In the latest Burnes Center quarterly report, learn about our literacy initiative, AI for Impact, InnovateUS, and more.
Jun. 16, 2025 | The Burnes Center for Social Change -
The debate over state-level AI bans misses the point
In this piece by Beth Simone Noveck, Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change, the debate over state-level AI bans misses a key opportunity.…
Jun. 16, 2025 | | Fast Company -
News That Caught Our Eye #61
This week’s AI news explores how communities and governments are using AI for civic action, with GovLab launching a new course and Berlin’s Agentic State…
Jun. 05, 2025 | | RebootDemocracy
IN THE NEWS
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Mayor Lurie Brings AI Technology to San Francisco Government, Cementing City as Global AI Leader
The City of San Francisco announces a partnership with InnovateUS to deliver government-focused courses on the responsible use of AI in the public sector for…
Jul. 14, 2025 | -
Artificial intelligence: Saving you money, and helping MassDOT build faster
Highlighting the HEKA tool, built by Northeastern co-op students in the Burnes Center’s AI for Impact program.
Jul. 02, 2025 | NBC Boston -
Punching In: Summer Heat Is a Test of Trump-Era Union Power
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Seth Harris discusses how Teamsters President Sean O’Brien needs to prove himself as a worker advocate by delivering results for UPS…
Jun. 30, 2025 | | Bloomberg Law
Burnes center projects
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Rethinking Reading: AI for Literacy Achievement
Showcasing how innovative leaders are using AI to make rapid gains to make literacy instruction more personalized, engaging, and equitable.
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The AI For Impact Co-op Program
Solving public sector problems by tapping into the potential of Artificial Intelligence and the talent of Northeastern students.
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Community-Centered AI: The AI-EP Project
Using AI to enhance educational outcomes for learners with disabilities.
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Impact Studio: Unlocking Literacy
Convening community conversations on improving literacy and equity.
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InnovateUS
Delivering free online learning for public servants by public servants on data, digital, and innovation skills with an emphasis on evidence-based and equitable approaches.
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Reboot Democracy
Advancing collective intelligence with artificial intelligence.
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Pi-Squared: Private Innovation in the Public Interest
Empowering business leaders to drive meaningful change.
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A Healthier Democracy
Leveraging AI to drive civic engagement and economic opportunity.
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Power at Work
Contributing to a discourse in the United States that emphasizes the importance of collective action and puts workers and worker power at the center of…
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Skills-First Public Sector Workforce Hiring
Creating more equitable and inclusive state employment opportunities using AI.
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The Internet We Deserve
A Lecture Series on the history and possibilities of the Internet.
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Impact Studio: Election Subversion
Bringing together diverse experts to counter efforts that undermine the integrity of U.S. elections.
upcoming events
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Workshop
Generative AI Across Education: pK-12 Education, Higher Education, and the Workplace
The Graduate School of Education at Northeastern University invites you to an engaging discussion on how Generative AI is transforming learning across the spectrum—from pK-12…
3:00pm – 6:15pm
805 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02120
USAJul.
25
2025 -
Workshop
Let’s Talk About Digital Threats to Democracy
The League of Women Voters will host a special conversation with Beth Simone Noveck to explore how AI, often seen as a threat, can instead…
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Sep.
10
2025
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Change-makers are made, not born.
Everyone has the potential and the power to become a successful problem solver.
We cannot solve tomorrow’s challenges with yesterday’s tools.
Innovative technologies, policies, and partnerships are required for systems-level change.
How you implement matters.
Solving problems in practice requires going beyond innovative ideas to implementation of equitable solutions that measurably improve people’s lives.
The future depends upon all of us.
Tackling systemic public problems demands that we work closely with communities from day one.
WHAT WE DO
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Education
Teaching and learning the skills of social change and impact
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Research
Building the emerging field of global social change and impact
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Convening
Connecting communities of mission-driven leaders
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Action
Leading implementation of innovative solutions in key areas, including education equity, strengthening democracy and reducing gun violence
EDUCATION
Solving Public Problems
Our free foundational course providing the skills to design and implement social change.
- Tools and technologies for designing and implementing mission-driven projects
- Ways to use Big Data and community wisdom to tackle problems
- How to combine subject matter expertise and problem-solving skills
- An introduction to leading social and public innovators
Interactive exercises
Video tutorials
12-part online program
SOCIAL CHANGE AT NORTHEASTERN
As a university-wide center, we look for new opportunities to collaborate with others engaged in social-impact work.
OUR BENEFACTORS
About the Burnes family
The Center is named in recognition of the generous investment made by the Burnes Family: Nonnie and Richard Burnes, and their three children, who have championed many social causes.
Nonnie Burnes, who passed away in August 2021, leaves behind a remarkable legacy defined by her selfless commitment to making real change in her communities and around the world. A 1978 Northeastern School of Law alumna, Nonnie pursued equality and justice, and was passionate about empowering others. She was a leader in the Massachusetts legal community and left a legacy of championing women’s rights and liberties. She upheld and advocated these ambitious values while serving on Northeastern’s Board of Trustees and as a senior university fellow at the university’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.
“For all who were fortunate enough to know her, Nonnie Burnes was a pure joy; a person of unequaled spirit, courage, and grace, with a passion for helping others that defined her every undertaking.”
JOSEPH E. AOUN
PRESIDENT, NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
MISSION AND VISION
The challenges societies face today cannot be solved with yesterday’s toolkit. The Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University advances real-world impact by teaching individuals and institutions the skills needed to design and implement innovative and equitable solutions to our hardest problems. In the process, we are building a new field of social impact that leverages data, technology, community wisdom, and the power of institutions to enable systems-level change in practice.
NEWSLETTER
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