Three outstanding students have received 2025 Louise A. and Stephen D. Pahl "Making a Difference" Awards from The Pahl Center for the Study of Critical Social Issues. According to Pahl Center Director Dr. Sastry, the awards were made possible with the support and oversight of the Social Sciences Divisional Leadership; in particular, Associate Dean Walid Afifi, who worked to identify and select the projects.
"The award provides a maximum of $5,000 per recipient and was designed to support a Social Sciences undergraduate who is leading (or co-leading) a community-centered research project," Dr. Sastry said. "We interpret “community-centered” broadly to encompass projects that involve substantive dialogue and collaboration with an organized group of community members that have a role in shaping the research methods and objectives of the project."
The awardees (pictured above, clockwise from bottom left) are:
*Asher Rose, 22, who received his award for "Room For Nuance: Dissent and Jewish Student Experiences Since October 7, 2023." Rose is a UCSB senior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Jewish Studies.
*Emma Hirsh, 23, who received her award for "Limits of the “Green Republic”: Agroecology, Land Sharing, and Food Sovereignty at Mojojoy Agri-Cultura in Costa Rica." Hirsh graduated from UCSB in June 2025 with a double major in Global Studies and Environmental Studies.
*Becky Chen, 22, who received her award for "Extracted and Exposed: Student Tenant Conditions in Isla Vista. Chen is a senior double majoring in Sociology and Film and Media Studies at UCSB.
Read the rest of the story at The Pahl Center website.