- Oct 27, 2023
- by Emily Groff
- Community Engagement, Holistic Human Health, Sustainability + Society, Technology + Human Thriving
New CHE grant funds sustainability research
Cornell Human Ecology has awarded six faculty members with grants to support research projects related to sustainability over the 2023-2024 academic year.
The projects range from helping New York State nutrition programs support sustainable food systems, to developing self-powered on-skin computers, to expanding a program that trains retirees as environmental volunteers, reflecting Human Ecology’s interdisciplinary approach to understanding the human experience and helping people thrive.
This first round of the CHE Faculty Sustainability Research Program
Alan Hedge
Alan Hedge is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design (formerly Design and Environmental Analysis), Cornell University. His research and teaching activities focused on issues of design and workplace ergonomics as these affect the health, comfort and productivity of workers. His research themes included workstation design, computer ergonomics and carpal tunnel syndrome risk factors for workers, alternative keyboard and input system designs, the performance and health effects of postural strain, and the
- Sep 26, 2025
- by Laura Reiley, Cornell Chronicle
A lifetime of social ties adds up to healthy aging
Jessica Salerno
Jessica Salerno, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and an Associate Member of the Law Faculty at Cornell University. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology and film from Middlebury College in 2003 and her doctorate in social psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012.
Dr. Salerno’s research sits at the intersection of social psychology and the legal system, investigating how cognitive, emotional, and social processes affect the
Cutberto Garza
- Nov 3, 2025
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Community Engagement, Holistic Human Health, Social Impact + Justice, Student Life
Visiting Scholar Jennie Joseph shares human-centered approach to maternal health
On a brisk Thursday morning, 65 first-year students sat in rapt attention in NS 1600 Introduction to Public Health as Jennie Joseph challenged conventional thinking with a powerful concept: materno-toxic zones. She described these as environments so harmful to pregnant or new mothers that they threaten the safety of the mother and/or her children.
“Think about a problem that you or your loved ones had with the health system and why,” urged Joseph, founder and
- Nov 19 ,2025
- by Roberta Militello
- Human Centered Design
- Martha Van Rensselaer G151
The New Urbanism Movement, Past, Present, and Future
The movement known as New Urbanism in the United States seeks to address and promote development that positively affects the health of individuals through the incorporation of safe, easily accessible walking in everyday life. This is in contrast to a typical suburban environment, where most activities are dependent on vehicular transport for everyday activities. The New Urbanism environments also promote social connections to neighbors and visitors with zoning that promotes front doors close to the
