At first glance, one might be jealous of the summer plans of Emily Smith '09 (Ridgefield, Conn.): she is researching celebrities. But it's not actually autograph-chasing in Hollywood; instead, the world politics major and art history minor student has a Levitt Center Fellowship to study the role of the Western celebrity as a social entrepreneur, with an emphasis on those celebrities active in the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa.
Smith plans to complete her research in two segments. She will first investigate the role of a social entrepreneur, then use as a case study the current celebrity involvement in African aid groups. The NGOs we recognize from the news, but what is a social entrepreneur? Asked, Smith gave the following simple definition: "a social entrepreneur is simply a wealthy person who wants to donate their time and money to a righting a social ill."
Much of Smith's time this summer will be spent in New York City libraries doing research. The recent nature of Smith's topic makes it difficult to find scholarly articles, although Smith has tracked what she needs down at the New York Public Library and the Foundation Center, a library donated to non-profit research. She also plans to interview workers at philanthropic NGOs such as the Gates Foundation.
Smith has been researching which celebrities donate to which organizations, and why they may choose one over the other. While originally planning to question whether the support of the star was actually beneficial to the African country served by the charity, Smith has redefined her project to focus on the role of the celebrity as seen from the U.S.
"These people wield so much influence," Smith explained. She spoke of her research as a "critique," something which will allow her to determine whether these actions are "right or wrong." Are philanthropic celebrities, Smith asked, making contributions in the spirit of generosity, or are they active in issues of African healthcare because "it's chic"?
"I've always wanted to research," said Smith of her first summer so occupied. She finds her work exciting and a little demanding; "it's quite a process." One of the hardest parts turned out to be adjusting to the closed stacks in the New York Public Library. "You can't touch anything!" said Smith.
During the year, Smith is a member of Student Government, a tour guide, and the managing editor of the magazine, The Continental. She plans to apply for a study abroad program to Uganda next spring, and hopes to work in some aspect of African development or with an NGO after she graduates. "I'd love to do some kind of work with Africa," she said.
Smith's research this summer is funded by the Levitt Research Fellows Program, operated through the Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center. The students spend the summer working intensively in collaboration with a faculty member on an issue related to public affairs. Smith will work with Associate Professor of Government Rob Martin.
- Lisbeth Redfield
Smith plans to complete her research in two segments. She will first investigate the role of a social entrepreneur, then use as a case study the current celebrity involvement in African aid groups. The NGOs we recognize from the news, but what is a social entrepreneur? Asked, Smith gave the following simple definition: "a social entrepreneur is simply a wealthy person who wants to donate their time and money to a righting a social ill."
Much of Smith's time this summer will be spent in New York City libraries doing research. The recent nature of Smith's topic makes it difficult to find scholarly articles, although Smith has tracked what she needs down at the New York Public Library and the Foundation Center, a library donated to non-profit research. She also plans to interview workers at philanthropic NGOs such as the Gates Foundation.
Smith has been researching which celebrities donate to which organizations, and why they may choose one over the other. While originally planning to question whether the support of the star was actually beneficial to the African country served by the charity, Smith has redefined her project to focus on the role of the celebrity as seen from the U.S.
"These people wield so much influence," Smith explained. She spoke of her research as a "critique," something which will allow her to determine whether these actions are "right or wrong." Are philanthropic celebrities, Smith asked, making contributions in the spirit of generosity, or are they active in issues of African healthcare because "it's chic"?
"I've always wanted to research," said Smith of her first summer so occupied. She finds her work exciting and a little demanding; "it's quite a process." One of the hardest parts turned out to be adjusting to the closed stacks in the New York Public Library. "You can't touch anything!" said Smith.
During the year, Smith is a member of Student Government, a tour guide, and the managing editor of the magazine, The Continental. She plans to apply for a study abroad program to Uganda next spring, and hopes to work in some aspect of African development or with an NGO after she graduates. "I'd love to do some kind of work with Africa," she said.
Smith's research this summer is funded by the Levitt Research Fellows Program, operated through the Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center. The students spend the summer working intensively in collaboration with a faculty member on an issue related to public affairs. Smith will work with Associate Professor of Government Rob Martin.
- Lisbeth Redfield
