National Hispanic Health Research Institute Establishes Applied Anthropology Research Award
Hartford, CT — The National Hispanic Health Research Institute (NHHRI) and the Hispanic Health Council (HHC) proudly announce the establishment of the NHHRI Applied Anthropology Research Award.
In recognition of the pivotal role of applied anthropologists in its origin and growth over five decades, HHC has developed an award with the NHHRI that recognizes the contributions of anthropologists and other social researchers who contribute to the well-being of Latino communities in the United States and Latin America, including cultural expression and promotion, health equity, program and policy development, as well as advocacy.
The award also commemorates the role of applied anthropologists in the founding of the Hispanic Health Council more than five decades ago. Pioneers such as Drs. Stephen and Jean Schensul, Pertti Pelto, and Merrill Singer helped build HHC’s foundation of nationally and internationally recognized community-based research and culturally grounded programs in family well-being, maternal and child health, breastfeeding promotion, substance use prevention, and HIV intervention and policy change.
“Anthropology and applied research have been at the heart of who we are since day one,” said Ken Barela, CEO of HHC and NHHRI. “They provided the framework that allows us to understand communities not just through data but through lived experience. Establishing this award honors that legacy and reaffirms our commitment to research that uplifts, empowers, and reflects the voices of Latino communities.”
NHHRI Applied Anthropology Award Inaugural Recipient Dr. Hilda Lloréns
The inaugural recipient of the NHHRI Applied Anthropology Research Award is Dr. Hilda Lloréns, recognized for her outstanding scholarship, teaching, and advocacy that advance health equity and cultural understanding across the Americas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. mainland.
A Hartford native and first-generation college graduate, Dr. Lloréns is a Professor at the University of Rhode Island and the 2025–2026 Distinguished Visiting Professor at Wellesley College. She earned her PhD in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Lloréns’ lifelong commitment to anti-racist, decolonial, and inclusive research and pedagogy exemplifies the spirit of applied anthropology and its enduring relevance to Latino community health and empowerment. Her work explores the intersections of race, gender, ecology, and environment and has gained wide recognition in both academic and public spheres. She is the author of Imaging the Great Puerto Rican Family (2014) and the award-winning Making Livable Worlds: Afro-Puerto Rican Women Building Environmental Justice (2021). Her forthcoming book, Nature Practices: The Latinx Outdoors at the End of Nature, continues her examination of community, resilience, and environmental belonging.
“Dr. Lloréns represents the very best of applied anthropology—rooted in community, rigorous in scholarship, and fearless in confronting inequality,” remarked Barela. “Her work honors the legacy of our founders while inspiring a new generation of Latino researchers and changemakers.”
This new award is funded through a generous gift from HHC founders Drs. Steve and Jean Schensul and will run for five years. It includes a stipend, travel and lodging for the awardee and guest, and formal recognition at the 2025 HHC/NHHRI Annual Gala: CULTURA VIVA: THE LEGACY OF LATINO CULTURE on December 12, 2025, in Hartford, Connecticut. Beginning in 2026, the award will be presented annually at the NHHRI National Conference. Click here for tickets.
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The National Hispanic Health Research Institute (NHHRI) is a national initiative of the Hispanic Health Council, established to generate high-quality, community-informed research that advances health equity for Latino populations. NHHRI serves as a national hub for rigorous public health research, data infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration aimed at closing health disparities and shaping effective healthcare policy. Visit NHHRI.org for more information.
For more information, contact Fernanda Durand, Chief Marketing Officer, fdurand@nhhri.org