Nora spent her summer working on two different qualitative studies analyzing sexual and reproductive health and rights outcomes domestically and internationally. Nora worked as part of an EGHI team to evaluate communications around the recent revocation of the Global Gag Rule for NGOs in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Along with other Emory students, faculty mentors, and partners from the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region (IPPFWHR), the team conducted over 40 Zoom interviews in order to better understand the communication landscape on the ground in these countries. Nora also worked as a graduate research assistant for the Provider Readiness for Virtual Implementation and Delivery of Medication Abortion Services (PROVIDA) study. This study investigates the feasibility of providing medication abortion services in the Southeast via telehealth. Nora managed recruitment for this study and is currently assisting in interviewing study participants.

Justin worked with the Community Farmers Markets (CFM) and their partner Fresh Marta Markets (FMM). CFM works to further develop local food infrastructure for long term sustainability and meaningful community impact, by supporting several markets and food system focused initiatives throughout Atlanta. The Fresh Marta Markets are an initiative that CFM is facilitating in collaboration with Atlanta's Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Justin worked closely with the CFM/FMM team and MARTA representatives to apply for two USDA grants, as well as completing other tasks and attending FMM stands throughout the week. The two grants, titled the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) were applied to fund programs conducted through CFM and FMM respectively. Justin assisted in writing the narratives for each grant, as well as contacting CFM/FMM partner organizations and attending MARTA meetings. He also assisted in redesigning data collection tools used to evaluate Marta Markets' effectiveness and community impact. Both grants were later approved by USDA and the Fresh Marta Markets are set to expand in 2022.

Sam Grimes summer practicum was hosted by Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture (TLW), a nonprofit organization established in 2006 that is primarily agriculture driven. He was tasked with monitoring and documenting pest activity on the farm as well as research to advise on natural pest management and plant health. He used an app to identify bacteria and diseases that were affecting some plants and fruits grown on the farm. This became the basis for the research and development of a pest management process as well as a presentation paper on pest control. He also worked with the new farm manager, Amico, to redesign the farming system for planting and harvesting and developed tools currently used to document and track activities and achievements. Sam also coordinated and supervised volunteers and worked at the greenhouse, in aquaponics, and on marketing the farm.

During the summer of 2021, Darnesha worked with two organizations for her practicum experience. At Global Growers Network (GGN), she worked on the monitoring and evaluation of their USDA Food Safety Project programs, which aim to mitigate barriers to land and market access for farmers of color. Through culturally inclusive approaches and innovative programming, the project is creating new opportunities to increase financial viability for farmers. She also worked as a student research assistant with Dr. Webb Girard, at the Rollins School of Public Health on a program evaluation of a special emergency grants program with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). The project was implemented to support the food and nutrition security of 20,000 essential workers in low- and middle-income countries during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this role she assisted in developing qualitative data collection tools and in data collection and analysis. The summative evaluation of the project will be submitted to GAIN Global in November 2021.

This summer, Rostam worked at a non-profit wellness center for Afghan refugee women and children in Lesvos, Greece called the Dave Schultz Athletic Center. He spoke with the founders of the Center and investigated what it might look like to be able to support them; helped them create a new pitch deck that would be suitable for donors; and performed interviews with members of the staff in the camp, including the camp’s director, Stavros Mirogiannis. The Center offers sports and art classes for refugee youth in a safe environment. Rostam enjoyed teaching English and Math to the kids, as well as swimming and playing soccer with them. Throughout his time there, he learned a great deal from the stories of the people at the Center and how the different actors on the island worked together (or, sometimes, didn't) to reduce redundancy and maximize their impact.