Kuluçka & Nova's Research Pods

Study with mentors from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale and Princeton. 
In teams of 3-6, start and finish a researh project of your own in only 8 weeks!
The first program starts on June 25, 2025. 
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

Join a team!

If you are accepted to the program, you will be placed into the team of young researchers according to your skills, expectations, targets, and/or  research idea.

Do the job!

For 8 weeks you will have structured and well designed sessions with mentors from top 5 universities of the world. They will help you do your best to create an individual or group project depending on the research question.

Write your report!

During the 8 week period you will have the chance to organize group work and individual sessions with our consultants from Kulucka as well to write a report to meet the requirements of publications or competitions.

Take it to the next level!

At the end, you will have a research report in your hand to either publish yourself or attend conferences or competitions or even turn into a passion project. Don't worry. We will always be there to assist you on your strategies.

June 25, 2025

Computer Science: Building Ethical and Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Systems 

Artificial intelligence (AI) significantly transforms how individuals live, work, and engage with technology—from recommendation systems to virtual assistants. This research project investigates the creation of AI systems rooted in human values and ethics. Leveraging principles from Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), the project emphasizes designing intelligent systems that are ethical, explainable, and aligned with user needs and values.    
Participants will identify behavioral or societal issues related to AI use and formulate research questions informed by HAI and interaction design literature. Throughout the study, students will prototype AI-integrated systems, such as personalized applications or behavior-driven tools, conducting thorough user research using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Central topics of exploration include fairness, transparency, user agency, and the potential unintended consequences of AI deployment.  
The project culminates in a formal research paper comprising an extensive literature review, clearly outlined methodology, detailed system design documentation, insights from user testing, and a nuanced discussion of both ethical considerations and practical implications.

June 25, 2025

Technology & Design: Designing for Positive Change: Crafting Technology that Shapes Better Habits

Technological systems increasingly influence human behaviors—from wellness and productivity to consumer choices. This research project delves into how interaction design and system architecture can effectively and ethically shape user decisions and habits. Grounded in Human- Computer Interaction (HCI), the project emphasizes user-centered design practices that support meaningful behavior change.   
Participants will pinpoint a behavioral or societal challenge and craft research questions based on current HCI literature. Throughout the study, they will design and prototype interactive systems, such as utility apps, interactive games, or feedback-driven platforms. Extensive user research will be conducted, employing both qualitative and quantitative assessments. Crucial considerations include ensuring accessibility, ethically employing persuasive techniques, and recognizing and mitigating unintended design consequences.    
The study will result in a comprehensive research paper, including a thorough literature review, detailed methodology, design documentation, analysis of user research outcomes, and critical reflections on the broader societal implications and potential impacts of the developed system.  

June 25, 2025

Healthcare

Despite advancements in medicine, health outcomes remain uneven across populations due to social, economic, and systemic factors. This research project investigates the root causes and potential solutions to health disparities through a public health lens. Students will identify a specific health disparity—such as differences in chronic disease prevalence, access to care, or mental health outcomes—and develop research questions grounded in epidemiological literature, community health frameworks, and social determinants of health. The project emphasizes mixed-methods research, incorporating qualitative interviews, focus groups, or surveys, as well as statistical data analysis using public health datasets. The final paper will include a literature review, clearly defined research methodology, analysis of findings, and a discussion of actionable interventions or policy recommendations. Special attention will be paid to the ethical dimensions of working with underserved communities and the role of advocacy in public health research.

June 25, 2025

Law: Misinformation and Democracy: Examining Trends in Voter Knowledge 

A healthy democracy fundamentally relies upon informed and engaged citizens. Yet, voter knowledge—the extent to which voters understand political processes, policies, and candidate positions—varies widely, shaping electoral outcomes and influencing democratic governance. This research project critically examines contemporary trends in voter knowledge, delving into political science theories, political behavior literature, and government and politics scholarship. Participants will conduct an extensive literature review, synthesizing insights from political theory, behavioral science, and empirical studies on voter information and misinformation. Key areas of exploration include the determinants of voter knowledge, the impact of media and information environments, demographic variations, and the relationship between voter knowledge, polarization, and political participation. Students will investigate critical questions, such as: How do changes in media consumption and social media usage influence voter knowledge and misinformation? What role do education,socioeconomic status, and geography play in shaping voter awareness? How does voter knowledge correlate with political efficacy, voter turnout, and democratic satisfaction? The project culminates in a comprehensive research paper featuring an in-depth review of scholarly literature, synthesis of existing data and theories, and a nuanced discussion of implications for political communication strategies and voter education initiatives.

Meet our team members

Our team is committed to our values of inclusivity, collaboration and continuous learning. We believe that diversity of thought and background leads to better ideas.
Carlos - Business
Harvard Business
Janelle - Technology & Design
Stanford Computer Science
Paul - Health & Medicine
Harvard Medicine PhD
Maya - Computer Science / AI
Stanford Computer Science
Josie - Law & Humanities
Stanford Law 
Javier - Chemistry & Environment
Stanford Chemical Eng. PhD
We seek out colleagues with varied experiences and perspectives from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, and Princeton Universities.