Research Overview
My
dissertation research lies at the intersection engineering, policy, and community based design
Goal: creation of a methodological framework that allows engineers and members of Native American nations to understand and incorporate social performance metrics in sustainability systems:
My Co-Design methodology seeks to fulfill Fischer's (2000) request for methodological framework that “brings together …. the unique and essential aspects of human behavior”.
Moreover, my research is not about just providing technological solutions, but rather, assisting “citizens in their efforts to examine their own interests and to make their own decisions” (Hirschorn, 1979)
The research questions that I will address are:
(1) How effective is the Co-Design methodology in eliciting user needs from a target end user group such as a Native American nation?,
(2) How do Native American nations define and frame sustainability?, and
(3) How effective are prioritization methodologies in establishing the relative importance of needs in Native American nations?
The main goals of this dissertation is to:
(1) determine if the Co-Design methodology is an effective approach for eliciting user needs and brainstorm concepts for Native American communities,
(2) determine which prioritization methods are most effective,
(3) describe how the Co-Design methodology worked in these applications via case studies, and
(4) describe how one Native American community frames sustainability and if this framework is transportable to other Native American communities via case studies.
Currently, I am working with Pinoleville Pomo Nation (PPN), Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, and Bridgeport Indian Colony on various sustainability and renewable energy projects.
Download Dissertation, Research Plan, Presentation and Candidacy Letter.
Goal: creation of a methodological framework that allows engineers and members of Native American nations to understand and incorporate social performance metrics in sustainability systems:
- End User Framework(s) for Sustainability
- Renewable
Energy Systems for Power Generation
- Energy
and Water Efficiency Housing
My Co-Design methodology seeks to fulfill Fischer's (2000) request for methodological framework that “brings together …. the unique and essential aspects of human behavior”.
Moreover, my research is not about just providing technological solutions, but rather, assisting “citizens in their efforts to examine their own interests and to make their own decisions” (Hirschorn, 1979)
The research questions that I will address are:
(1) How effective is the Co-Design methodology in eliciting user needs from a target end user group such as a Native American nation?,
(2) How do Native American nations define and frame sustainability?, and
(3) How effective are prioritization methodologies in establishing the relative importance of needs in Native American nations?
The main goals of this dissertation is to:
(1) determine if the Co-Design methodology is an effective approach for eliciting user needs and brainstorm concepts for Native American communities,
(2) determine which prioritization methods are most effective,
(3) describe how the Co-Design methodology worked in these applications via case studies, and
(4) describe how one Native American community frames sustainability and if this framework is transportable to other Native American communities via case studies.
Currently, I am working with Pinoleville Pomo Nation (PPN), Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria, Ione Band of Miwok Indians, and Bridgeport Indian Colony on various sustainability and renewable energy projects.
Download Dissertation, Research Plan, Presentation and Candidacy Letter.
