Research Areas
Our world faces immense challenges in addressing global inequities and global health disparities. We cannot solve global problems without accounting for the complex systems that created them, and we must center those who are most affected by these issues as we seek to create solutions. To address global inequities, we need creative solutions, and design is a promising approach to call to task.
In the EDGE Lab, we study and apply engineering design processes to develop solutions to address complex global challenges.
Research in the EDGE Lab has two primary aims:
(1) to apply engineering design to improve global equity, and
(2) to advance the methods and tools of equitable engineering design.
Design Methods and Tools
We investigate, develop, and evaluate methods and tools for design, global equity, and global health. We explore current design methods and practices, particularly those with applications in equity-related application areas, including global health. We develop new design methods for application and evaluation in addressing global equity challenges.
Design Training
We develop training for design in addressing equity and health challenges around the world. We develop curricula for practitioners, novice designers, researchers, implementers, and community member co-designers engaged in equity-related design projects. We explore and apply best practices in training learners in equity- and justice-informed design approaches.
Design Impact
We evaluate the impact of design on improving equity and health outcomes around the world. We apply design to address global inequities and investigate how design processes contribute to (in)equitable and (un)just outcomes.