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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Private Innovation in the Public Interest for Collective Impact
Anita McGahan introduces the Private Innovation in the Public Interest (Pi2) initiative, which fosters collaboration between private-sector leaders and governments to solve critical public issues.…
Jan. 15, 2025 | | Pi Squared, The Burnes Center -
New Jersey Issues Landmark Guidance on AI and Algorithmic Discrimination
Beth Noveck highlights New Jersey’s landmark guidance on AI, emphasizing that the state’s Law Against Discrimination applies to automated systems, ensuring AI tools do not…
Jan. 13, 2025 | | Rebootdemocracy.ai -
When AI Meets Reality: California’s Wildfire Detection System
Beth Noveck explores the rapid spread of AI and its governance challenges, drawing parallels to wildfire management. She calls for proactive measures and collaboration among…
Jan. 12, 2025 | | Rebootdemocracy.ai
IN THE NEWS
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Link Health: Connecting Patients to Essential Resources
Learn more about how Dr. Alister Martin’s Link Health connects Medicaid patients with essential resources like food, shelter, and digital access while they wait in…
Jan. 13, 2025 | | Massachusetts General Hospital -
How should the news industry cover Trump? Ten top journalists weigh in.
Burnes Center Senior Fellow Jill Abramson discusses how the news industry should cover the Trump Administration.
Jan. 07, 2025 | | The Washington Post -
AI for all: Lessons from the intersection of technology and inclusion
Read about how AI is driving social impact and inclusion, with organizations like Quipu, IDinsight, and Link Health using AI to enhance access to credit,…
Jan. 07, 2025 | | Mastercard Newwsroom
Burnes center projects
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Impact Studio: Unlocking Literacy
Convening community conversations on improving literacy and equity.
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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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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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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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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.
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A Healthier Democracy
Leveraging AI to drive civic engagement and economic opportunity.
upcoming events
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AI and the Future of Lawmaking: Innovation at the Library of Congress with Natalie Buda Smith
Natalie Buda Smith is the Director of Digital Strategy at the Library of Congress, where she leads the use of AI and other emerging technologies…
5:30pm – 6:30pm
https://northeastern.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEsdO-tqDgoG9TcfMDARJmrUTpOoC8mabbx#/registration
Jan.
23
2025 -
Governor Charlie Baker on Getting Important Work Done
Join us as Governor Charlie Baker and Senior Fellow Steve Kadish discuss their approach to overcoming political challenges and delivering results in both the public…
7:00pm – 8:00pm
53 Cambridge Tpke, Concord, MA 01742, United States
Jan.
23
2025 -
Understanding and Shaping Organizational Culture: A Guide to Driving Change
Join us with Alexander Shermansong to explore how organizational culture drives performance, interacts with policies, and learn techniques for evaluating cultural strengths and gaps, with…
2:00pm – 3:00am
Jan.
23
2025 -
The Role of Academic Impact Labs for Public Innovation: Stories of AI Innovation from Stanford’s RegLab
Join us to explore the role of academic impact labs in public innovation, as Daniel Ho highlights how Stanford’s RegLab collaborates with government agencies to…
2:00pm – 3:00am
Jan.
30
2025 -
Responsible AI in Practice Summit
Join us for the Responsible AI in Practice Summit at Northeastern University’s Oakland Campus, a multidisciplinary event dedicated to addressing the ethical, equitable, and inclusive integration of…
1:00pm – 6:00pm
Northeastern University – Oakland Campus: Lisser Hall & Graduate School of Business (GSB)
Feb.
13
2025 -
The Peacemaking Machine with MIT and Deepmind’s Michael Henry Tessler and Michiel A. Bakker
Michael Henry (“MH”) Tessler is a Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, working on the safety, alignment, and societal impacts of advanced AI systems. Before…
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Northeastern, TBD
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlcOCtqzspHNBrr8zW4EO0GnnXAgswr3Kt#/registrationFeb.
27
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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