Pair of Wildcats chosen for first class of social policy fellowship
The Office of Fellowships is excited to announce that Ethan Bledsoe (WCAS ’26) and Sofie Langenhuizen (WCAS ’26) have been chosen for the inaugural class of the Through the program, which is hosted at the University of Chicago, Ethan and Sofie will receive professional development, mentorship from policy leaders, and access to an unmatched network of faculty, alumni, and practitioners.
Ethan graduated from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø with a major in environmental sciences and a minor in data science. Through research experiences and internships over the past four years, Ethan has focused on addressing environmental problems with human consequences using quantitative tools like geospatial analysis and remote sensing to trace environmental inequities back to the institutions that perpetuate them. With ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Climate Change Research Group, Ethan analyzed how warehouse developers and freight networks can externalize pollution and health risks onto communities of color. He modeled pollution dispersion near schools to support accountability and targeted interventions with the Lake Michigan Air Directors Consortium. In Ecuador, Ethan collaborated with local scientists to assess erosion risk stemming from a federally installed dam, and through , he supported airborne and hydrology field campaigns that quantify human impacts across landscapes.
Ethan shared the following reflection with us about what it means to participate in this fellowship:
“I’m drawn to the Harris Social Impact Fellowship because it’s built around real-world impact. I want my research to inform policies that protect communities overlooked by government and regulators from air pollution and other environmental burdens. I’m excited to contribute to a cohort working on urgent policy questions and strengthen my ability to turn research into policies that defend communities.”
Sofie hails from Appleton, Wisconsin, and graduated from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø with a double major in data science and mathematical methods in the social sciences, with a minor in philosophy. She is passionate about the ethical use of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, and seeks to integrate applied ethics into her work in data science. Her academic path has culminated in a senior thesis examining how the concept of gendered sound manifests in the streaming era of music and how these patterns relate to artist success.
Since 2023, Sofie has interned at Heartland Business Systems, where she has developed technical expertise in data analytics, data engineering, and artificial intelligence solutions for clients across a range of industries. Through this work, she also gained experience in a consulting role, translating complex technical concepts for clients with diverse backgrounds and adapting quickly to new environments.
As a Harris Social Impact Fellow, Sofie is excited to apply her technical skills to advance positive change through public policy. At the University of Chicago’s Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, she will contribute to several initiatives, including the Chat2Learn program, which leverages generative artificial intelligence to support educational and developmental outcomes. Following the fellowship, she hopes to continue working at the intersection of technology and public policy, helping advance ethical artificial intelligence initiatives in education.
The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is a highly selective, full-time, eleven-month program for recent graduates and early career professionals with strong STEM skills and a passion for evidence-based change. Designed by the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy faculty, the fellowship blends intensive training in policy analysis, critical reasoning, and data analytics with a hands-on placement at a top research center or policy institute.
Contact Jason Kelly Roberts at jason-roberts@northwestern.edu to learn more about the Harris Social Impact Fellowship.