Meet CISS 2025 Summer Writing Interns!
Meet our Summer Writing Internship Program (SWIP) interns!
Shayla Brown
This article by Xiaowei “Kiwi” Yang
Welcome, Shayla! Meet Shayla Brown (CAS ’26), a rising senior at Boston University joining the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS) this summer as part of the Summer Writing Internship Program (SWIP). Shayla is studying Sociocultural Anthropology and is originally from Rochester, NY, though she grew up mostly in northern Virginia.
What brought her to SWIP?
Shayla was drawn to SWIP because it blends two of her biggest passions: thoughtful storytelling and social science research. She loved the idea of working with peers and mentors to explore social justice issues through writing, and the chance to develop her own project was a huge bonus. She’s looking forward to honing her academic and journalistic writing skills while bringing her unique perspective to CISS communications.
This summer, Shayla hopes to strengthen her research and writing skills—and produce work she’s truly proud of. She’s especially excited to interview faculty and community members around Boston, weaving their perspectives into her writing. When she’s not working on writings for CISS, she’ll be laying the groundwork for her honors thesis, digging into the connections between culture, identity, and social equity.
Outside of SWIP
Outside of SWIP, Shayla is a dedicated member of BU women’s soccer team and keeps up with a demanding training schedule. She’s also starting to explore local volunteer work, hoping to bridge her love for anthropology with real-world community impact. Balancing soccer, volunteering, and her internship won’t be easy, but Shayla thrives on a packed schedule.
Favorite Boston pursuits
Shayla loves exploring Boston’s coffee shops and spending time outdoors. Whether it’s discovering a new coffee spot or enjoying a sunset jog by the Charles River, she’s making the most of summer in the city.
We’re thrilled to have Shayla on board—look forward to seeing her incredible work over the summer!
Xiaowei “Kiwi” Yang
This article by Shayla Brown (CAS’26)
Welcome, Kiwi! Meet Kiwi Yang (CAS ’27), a rising junior at Boston University who is joining the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS) as a summer intern. Kiwi is double majoring in Sociology and Business Administration. Originally from Shandong, China, she’s excited to spend the summer in Boston, diving into research, writing, and new experiences.
What brought her to SWIP
Kiwi was drawn to the Summer Writing Internship Program (SWIP) because it offers a unique opportunity to strengthen both her sociological writing and research skills. This summer, she will be developing a project independent writing project focused on educational inequality, with the guidance and mentorship of CISS faculty and staff.
One of Kiwi’s goals this summer is to grow as a communicator. Through writing news features, conducting interviews, and creating video content, she’s looking forward to exploring a range of communication styles. On top of that, she will begin drafting a proposal for her honors thesis, which she plans to develop over the coming months.
Outside of SWIP
When she’s not interning, Kiwi is keeping busy with two summer classes: Managerial Accounting and Information Systems. Balancing a packed schedule of academics and work, she appreciates the fast pace—it allows her to shift focus between school and practical experience. She’s especially enjoying the chance to build skills in self-motivation, time management, and professional communication, including initiating new projects and collaborating with supervisors.
Outside the classroom and internship, Kiwi enjoys making the most of summer in Boston. One of her favorite ways to do so is jogging along the Esplanade.
It’s exciting to have Kiwi on board—keep an eye out for her work throughout the summer!