Burleson Global Design Group

Excited to share that IEEE Humanitarian Technologies will be represented at the International Humanitarian Technology Conference (IHTC) in Bari, Italy, next week! We’re excited to engage with the IEEE community on three key fronts: sharing our progress in building a unified home for all #Tech4Good and #HumanitarianTech programs, exploring the future of #Tech4Impact sector and IEEE's role in driving positive social and environmental change, and supporting the final stages and judging of the AI for Climate Change Challenge! On our Future of Humanitarian Technologies panel, we’re honored to feature thought leaders in this space: Dr. Clara Neppel, @Vicenzo Piuri, Grace Burleson, Ph.D., and our HTB Chair Lwanga Herbert. Our discussion will explore how emerging technologies like #AI and #ClimateTech are transforming the #Tech4Good space, redirecting funding, focus, and new programs into these technological sectors. At the same time, we’ll address the critical challenge of ensuring that this new focus doesn’t overshadow the urgent need to continue to address gaps in basic services in low resource settings and advance sustainable development for all. Looking forward to connecting and collaborating further. See you in Bari! #IHTC #IEEE #Tech4impact #AI #Climatetech #Tech4good #HumanitarianTech

I recently attended the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference, where I presented the preliminary results of my research on professional engineers’ experiences volunteering in humanitarian engineering (HE) projects. During my time at #GHTC2024 at Villanova University, I had the privilege of connecting with individuals from academia and industry who are shaping the future of HE. It was a privilege to participate in such thought-provoking discussion! In addition to learning about the incredible work being done within the field of HE, this conference served as a celebration for the end of *quite* the month! Like many other graduate students, I’ve had a hectic October as I balanced exams, fellowship deadlines, and research. I’m grateful to my advisor, Grace Burleson, Ph.D., and my team at the Burleson Global Design Group for all their support throughout this semester. I’m thankful to work with a group of inspirational engineers who aim to uplift everyone in the field. Cheers to my first conference, and I can’t wait for the next one! ??

On Friday, I had the opportunity to present my paper, “Investigating Community Engagement Practices in Short-term Humanitarian Engineering Projects,” at IEEE #GHTC2024. This work explores the current state of and challenges faced by volunteers working on Humanitarian Technology regarding community involvement in their projects. It was an inspiring experience, especially as it was my first conference. I didn’t expect the sense of accomplishment that came with wearing the “Author” tag, but I now understand why many people pursue PhDs. I also had the chance to interact with many incredible individuals and learn about their work, leaving the venue with renewed hope that, despite challenges, there are people actively striving to make the world a better place for everyone. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of my advisor and co-author, Grace Burleson, Ph.D. She has done an amazing job guiding us along the way, and I know anyone who gets to work with her in the future will be immensely lucky. We are now continuing our research by digging deeper into community engagement practices, and we can’t wait to share our findings!

Enabling Wheelchair Users to Fly with Freedom! I am excited to start a meaningful project as part of my Graduate Design course at the University of Colorado Boulder. As the Ergonomics Engineer Lead and Logistics Manager, I will be working with Molon Labe Designs - The Space Company to develop the Freedom Seat—a groundbreaking solution aimed at making air travel more accessible for passengers with restricted mobility (PRM). Our mission is to design, build, and test a seat that allows wheelchair users to remain in their own chairs throughout the flight—enhancing comfort while fully meeting FAA standards. This project marks a major step towards making air travel more inclusive, and I am eager to apply my skills in FEA, human factors, and usability assessment to help bring this innovative product to life. Grateful for this opportunity and excited to collaborate with such an amazing team: Pawan Sawant, Allister James Sequeira, Antonio Ruan, and Luke Sanford! For more info about the product, check out: https://lnkd.in/g_Ufe7cq #InclusiveDesign #Ergonomics #Accessibility #Innovation #MechanicalEngineering #GraduateProject

We'll be at the IEEE Global Humanitarian Technology Conference ?? next week at Villanova! Check out our team's presentations: Arooj Masood is presenting during Session 5B Oct 25 at 10:30am: Community Engagement Practices in Short-Term Humanitarian Engineering Projects Emma Balevic is presenting during Session 8B Oct 25 at 5:10pm: Professional Volunteering Experiences in Humanitarian Engineering Projects We hope to see you there! https://ieeeghtc.org/

??Summer Internship Spotlight: Carlota Serrano Durán??? M.S. student, Carlota, took her human-centered design skills to the next level at an internship at Lucid Motors! ?? Check out her story! https://lnkd.in/gs5zBJZe