Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship Reflection and Research Dissemination

Catalog description

This post-fieldwork course focuses on reflection on ethical issues and grassroots diplomacy challenges, and workshops on research dissemination. ENGR 455 Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship Reflection and Research Dissemination (3) The HESE Reflection and Research Dissemination course provides students an opportunity to reflect and build upon their experiences following the EDSGN 454 class involving travel to the partnering community to advance their HESE venture. There are three intertwined themes. One theme explores the ethical intricacies of conducting research and advancing entrepreneurial ventures in developing communities. The grassroots diplomacy theme delves into the complicated and delicate challenges of working in developing communities in a harmonious and effective manner. The research dissemination theme provides students with just-in-time information and skill-sets necessary for developing their research manuscripts into refereed publications. Post-travel reflection on ethical issues: This theme explores the ethical intricacies of conducting research and advancing entrepreneurial ventures in the context of developing communities. The ethics-related discussions help students reflect on their experience and develop a mindset where they want to make better ethical decisions because they are emotionally engaged and can effectively assess the implications of their actions. Grassroots Diplomacy: During their field experience, HESE students interact with diverse parties including local communities, non-governmental organizations, governmental and UN agencies, religious organizations, political groups, bureaucrats, local industry, US corporations, tourists, etc. Students observe and experience ego and community tensions and dynamics. They might get asked for grease payments or be propositioned for dowry. They might experience conflict or observe other groups, or their own group, compromise the core concept of self-determination. Workshops in the grassroots diplomacy theme delve into the complicated and delicate challenges of working in developing communities in a harmonious and effective manner to catalyze social change with their technology-based ventures. Research Dissemination: HESE students are engaged in an IRB-approved research study related to their venture, for which they gather data during the summer field experience. This workshop series provides students with just-in-time information and skill-sets necessary for developing their research manuscripts. The workshops lower the barriers to the scholarly dissemination of their work. Sharing designs, business/implementation strategies, and lessons learned is extremely important for the praxis of HESE worldwide. For examples, published designs for low-cost greenhouse can help people in many world regions. A paper on the non-technical challenges to the growth of the small-scale wind power industry in Kenya served as a starting point for a windmill venture.