Michigan Tech has six programs positioning engineering students in developing countries as part of its Engineering Justice Initiative. The programs take freshmen through doctorate level students to work with communities on development projects with in-country residency ranging from 2 weeks to 2 years in length. The cornerstone program, the Masters International Peace Corps program in civil and environmental engineering results in graduate students becoming part of developing communities. In these programs the students are well-placed to do effective indoor air pollutant exposure and mitigation research. Projects include integrated resource development for improvement of indoor air quality, exposure monitoring, and beneficial engineered mitigation strategies.
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Countries: Ghana, Panama, Mali Target: rural, poor Scale: community level
Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas
Via the MI Peace Corps program, the volunteers are able to evaluate the social/cultural barriers in great detail, and with insight. Surveys have been used to formalize responses.
The market of opinion has been assessed in the adoption of engineered mitgation strategies. Again, as the Peace Corps volunteers become well-connected to the community, an evaluation of local beliefs and practices have been translated into reasons why technological fixes may or may not be adopted.
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Indoor particulate matter exposure has been assessed in rural developing community homes. Standard cooking tests have been developed to compare exposure from different technologies or practices. All day tests have been conducted to assess typical exposures. Exposure pre- and post-mitigation approaches have been conducted.
Relevant Publications or Studies
Our Contribution to the Partnership
Michigan Tech is uniquely positioned to do the following (we have students in 21 countries currently): 1. Have long-term exposure monitoring conducted in many developing countries around the world via our Masters International Peace Corps program students; 2. Have graduate-level engineering students conduct research into social-culturual barriers and incentives to successful IAP mitigation; and; 3. Have community-integrated Peace Corps volunteers conduct IAP education in developing communities around the world.
