creative strategy
for social impact
Sara Bubenik is a communications professional and a specialist in public health, economic justice, and social connection. She is the Director of Research Communications for the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and an ACLS Leading Edge Fellow. She has a PhD in sociology from Boston University and a BA in history from Rutgers University.
With her background in research, plus training in storytelling, improv, and visual arts, Sara approaches her work with curiosity and openness, looking for creative solutions at the intersection of disparate things.
Sara believes in the power of communication to develop empathy, combat loneliness, build coalitions, and drive policy. Whether we learn through personal stories or photographs, through comedy or research insights, everyone benefits when we come to understand each other better.
selected work
strategic research communications
How can we use knowledge of systems, power, and people for strategic decision-making and social change?
At United Way of Massachusetts Bay, I lead the development of new internal and external research communications processes.
At Boston University, I designed and taught writing & multimedia communications courses “Digital Communities” and “Content Creators, Audiences, and Digital Communities,” training junior researchers to explore questions at the intersection of technology and society and use social media to share insights, build an audience, and drive narrative change.
writing and insights
newsletter: I write a semi-regular newsletter with commentary on loneliness, policy, and culture, drawing insights from social research and experience. See the list for examples or explore the archive.
emerging Science & Trends for Evermore: I wrote a regular newsletter that summarized the latest research on grief and bereavement.
bulletin for United Way of Mass Bay: I co-wrote a recap of recent events with local impacts. Visit our Federal Response Page for more.
applied academic research
sociology courses taught
Principles in Sociology/Introduction to Sociology
Sociology of Healthcare
Ethnic, Race, and Minority Relations
areas of study
medical sociology/public health
social connection and support
social inequality
the internet
qualitative, digital, and visual research methods
selected projects and impacts
completed a dissertation on Millennials’ online social support practices during the pandemic, book manuscript in progress, chapters available upon request
co-authored a report on Social Supports and Health for the Samuel Center for Social Connectedness and Partners In Health
participated in the research sprint "Digital Ethics in Times of Crisis: Covid-19 and Access to Education and Learning Spaces,” hosted by the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University in collaboration with the Global Network of Internet & Society Centers. Read the report
evaluated standup comedy course materials for mental health support practices as a thought partner with The LaughtHer Collective
in the media: “A life coach’s tips for contending with loneliness,” Medicinal Media. Read the article
let’s collaborate
I’m excited by projects that work across disciplines, think expansively, and aim to make the world a better place. Whether you’re in policy, tech, academia, arts, comedy, or building something that would benefit from a collaborator or another set of eyes, let’s talk.