As facial recognition becomes widely available, local governments are grappling with whether and how to use it. The Science Policy Group at Berkeley recently published a policy brief outlining how privacy advisory commissions can oversee these technologies.
re-Engineered asks engineers to think more critically about what they do, centering on the ideas of environmental protection, social justice, and peace. Founder Darshan Karwat spoke to ESAL about the laboratory's work to develop a new culture of community-based engineering.
As protests to address structural racism and police brutality continue, it can be difficult to decide what we can do as scientists and engineers. ESAL's Arti Garg shares specific ideas on how to effectively contribute to your community by voting, engaging with elected officials, and listening.
Engineers and scientists hold a privileged position in our communities, but our civic responsibility does not end with our technical pursuits. Our training gives us unique approaches to using evidence and solving problems, and we can use that to make our communities stronger and better able to meet challenges.
ESAL Founder & Chair, Arti Garg, spoke as a panelist in a Town Hall discussion entitled “100 Years of the 19th Amendment: A Discussion on Progress and Challenges,” at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Ecologist Allison S. Smith is the community engagement strategist and brownfields program manager for the Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky. ESAL interviewed Smith on how her scientific background both motivates and informs the work in her community.
On November 6, ESAL co-hosted a happy hour with Tech Exchange, a nonprofit in Oakland, California tackling the digital divide. The event included a tour of the Tech Exchange warehouse, where they refurbish electronic equipment for distribution.
During her early career in international development, Karina Ricks gained a lasting appreciation for transportation’s role in economic prosperity and social equity. Since 2017, she has applied these lessons at the local level within the U.S., overseeing transportation in Pittsburgh as the Director of Mobility and Infrastructure.
Tech Exchange addresses digital equity by providing computers and digital support serves to underserved residents of California's Bay Area. Executive Director Seth Hubbert spoke to ESAL about the nonprofit and his journey in enabling technology for social change.
