New Buckeyefunder campaign to support technology for social justice

Posted: 
antiracism

On the heels of the Technology for Social Justice initiative launch, the public can now help to advance a newly-formed community focused on developing engineering principles with a focus on making a difference in society.

The new Buckeye Funder Project, running throughout the month of August, will help support education, service and research, all for using engineering design methodology to create technology for social justice.

Initiated by Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) faculty, staff, students and alumni at The Ohio State University, the goal is to work together as an open, welcoming, diverse and inclusive community of collaboration across the university.

"We consider racism, poverty, mental health and wellness challenges," said Kevin Passino, ECE professor and fund creator.

He said the purpose of the campaign is to gain support for education, service and research, all for using engineering design methodology to create technology for social justice. 

The public is asked to consider donating in the categories identified in the Buckeyefunder, or by making a general donation to their efforts.

"To progress the efforts with this Buckeyefunder, please consider forwarding this to friends and family who may also have an interest in advancing technology for social justice," ECE Chair Hesham El Gamal said.

DONATE HERE

Overall efforts of the funding campaign go toward:

Antiracist Technology 

  • A freshman-level course first offered in Autumn 2020.
  • A course open to all undergraduate and graduate students in engineering proposed to be offered in Autumn 2021.
  • Design Competition Autumn Semester 2020.

Humanitarian Engineering (Antipoverty Technology)

  • A freshman-level course entitled Antipoverty Technology offered Autumn 2020.
  • A course on Humanitarian Engineering for all undergraduate and graduate students in engineering has been offered annually since 2014, along with other courses and field work all over the world.
  • A textbook on the subject.

Technology for Mental Health

  • Focus is primarily on stress and depression.
  • Laboratory and theoretical work.

Currently, the campaign sought funding support through the Ohio State Seed Grant Program in Racial Justice. Passino teamed up with Simone Drake, professor and chair of the Ohio State African American and African Studies program. They are in the process of applying to this program for collaborative work in technology for diversity and inclusion training, along with negotiation training, for Columbus Police.