The 2003 Hart Fellows

In addition to working on major research projects in the field, Fellows also write critical reflection essays on a monthly basis and often conduct documentary projects as well. To read about the experiences current Fellows have had to date, click here. To see past Fellows' work, click here.

Sona Chikarmane is working with the community outreach and research unit of Sahara House, a residential treatment center for substance abusers in Delhi, India. During the first half of her fellowship, she conducted a rapid-situation assessment in Thane, a suburb of Bombay, and designed a community-based research project entitled "Empowering a Community to Address and Tackle the Issue of HIV/AIDS." designed to assess the capacity of Jehangipuri, a slum area outside Delhi, to conduct HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention projects. In January, Sona trained researchers at Freedom Foundation in Bangalore, India, to conduct a research project on the effects of home-based versus institutional care on children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. For the second half of her fellowship, Sona will conduct the needs-assessment and capacity-building study of Jehangipuri. When she finishes the study, she will make recommendations on how to sustain HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs in this community in the wake of an impending reduction in funding from outside donors.

Chad Hazlett is a Hart Fellow with Seva Mandir, a non-governmental organization based in Udaipur, India, that develops local governance structures. Chad is researching "Barriers to Health Care Access" in the surrounding communities. In response to the immediate medical problems he is finding through his research, Chad Hazlett has coordinated with a state-run hospital to conduct medical outreach visits to rural communities, addressing health problems on-site and bringing patients into clinics and hospitals for acute care. Chad has also conducted interviews with community health workers to assess their capacity in terms of time, materials, knowledge, and biases (especially in relation to the caste system) to address community health problems. Upon completion of his research project, Chad Hazlett plans to develop a report for Seva Mandir and community health workers that highlights barriers to health care and potential solutions. Preliminary results have spurred discussions within Seva Mandir of designing health insurance systems for the area's most disadvantaged residents.

Carl James is working in Moshi, Tanzania, with KIWAKKUKI (the Swahili acronym for Women Against AIDS in Kilimanjaro) to assess the capacity of men to take a larger role in community development. He designed his research proposal, "What are Men Thinking? Understanding Male Perceptions of the Role of Men in Family and Society" in conjunction with leaders in KIWAKKUKI and men in the surrounding communities. He is currently working with the Tanzanian government's Institutional Review Board to receive approval for this research. In addition to his research, Carl James works with the Memory Project, an international effort to preserve the memories of HIV+ parents for their children through photographs and written stories, to be passed on after a parent's death. Carl James spends off-hours working with youth at the United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) teaching videography and dance.

Seth Napier is working in conjunction with a local NGO, Homeland, to assess the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in local communities. During the first half of his fellowship, he designed a research proposal entitled, "Village HIV/AIDS Mapping of Slaket, Otaki, Peam Ek and K'dol Villages." To obtain community consent and cooperation for this research, Seth partnered with local village leaders. After he conducts this assessment, Seth will produce materials to help Homeland increase their institutional capacity and more effectively target its resources to the most affected communities. In addition to his research, Seth Napier spent the first quarter of his fellowship teaching English to local children and assisting in the development of grant reports, proposals, and marketing materials.

Laura Thornhill is also working with Seva Mandir in Udaipur, India. At Seva Mandir, Laura is researching "Gendered Perspectives on Empowerment and Violence" in rural communities in India's Rajasthan province. Upon completion of her research, Laura Thornhill will prepare a report for Seva Mandir and local village councils that highlights ways in which women can become more involved in local decision-making. In addition to her research, Laura has worked in conjunction with Seva Mandir's staff to revise its gender policy. As part of the Hart Leadership Program’s Service Opportunities in Leadership program in 2001, Laura worked in Chicago to produce a child-care needs assessment for a program providing transitional housing and support services for battered Latina immigrants and their children.