SFIS Newsletter – October 2020

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ASU launches Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory with audacious goals: Transforming the world for a better future

The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, building on a strong tradition of commitment to shaping a sustainable future for all humankind through innovation, will encompass the new College of Global Futures, as well as a major research institute and a practice arm devoted to solutions, each significantly enhanced by and integrated with global partnerships.

Should drugmakers patent a COVID-19 vaccine?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to sicken people globally, countries and companies around the world are racing to develop safe and effective vaccines. A recent webinar co-sponsored by ASU’s Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes brought together two experts to debate whether patenting a vaccine will help end the pandemic — or whether patenting a vaccine would limit vaccine access to those who can afford to pay market-rate prices.

Research

Who should have a say on editing DNA?

Researchers from around the world, including CSPO Associate Director Mahmud Farooque, are calling for the creation of national and global citizens’ assemblies tasked with considering the societal implications of DNA editing.

Global citizen deliberation: Case of world-wide views on climate and energy

As the global environmental issues are increasingly coordinated through international negotiations, new methods are needed to engage citizens worldwide in the policy-making processes. SFIS Associate Professor Netra Chhetri and HSD student Rajiv Ghimire have published an article drawing insight about citizens’ views on issues of climate and energy through quantitative analysis of the data from World Wide Views.

Applying novel digital strategies in development education and engaging offline communities

Clinical Assistant Professor Faheem Hussain, Clinical Associate Professor Mary Jane Parmentier and Associate Professor Laura Hosman recently conducted a webinar with USAID. “Digital Strategies for Offline Communities: Cases and Lessons from the Field,” shared research-based insights and lessons learned from various approaches to digital engagement in education and with vulnerable populations, including refugees and rural communities. Watch the webinar.

Recognition

Assistant Professor Timiebi Aganaba-Jeanty has been appointed to the board of advisors for World View, a stratospheric balloon company in Tucson. 

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Kiki Jenkins, associate professor and HSD doctoral program chair, joined Play Like a Girl LIVE to share how sports can help strengthen girls’ leadership skills and prepare them for STEM careers.

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Assistant Professor Darshan Karwat has been named principal investigator on a new Lemelson Foundation grant to ASU under its new Engineering for One Planet (EOP) Initiative. The two-year program is focused on instilling environmental and sustainability principles across all disciplines of engineering education.

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Associate Professor Jameson Wetmore was part of a Silicon Valley Autoware Meetup panel on automated vehicles, “Back to the Future: The History and Future of Autonomous Vehicles.” 

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The Journal of Responsible Innovation (JRI) has had several big developments this year. JRI has received its first impact factor, a very respectable 3.059. JRI is also strongly positioned in four academic subject category rankings: history and philosophy of science, ethics, social issues and management. Beginning in 2021, the journal will be a fully open access (OA) title. JRI was recently approved for inclusion in ERIH PLUS, the European Reference Index for Humanities and Social Sciences. Several SFIS faculty and alumni work on the journal, including Erik Fisher who serves as editor-in-chief, Diana Bowman and Andrew Maynard who are on the editorial board and HSD student JP Nelson who serves as an editorial assistant.

Alumni

Events

October 7:  PIT Colloquium:“We Can’t Put This Off Any Longer: The Time to Preserve Our Privacy and Security, by Design, is Now!”

October 16: CSI Skill Tree

October 19:  21st century Global Development Pioneers: Reimagining Global Development with Indigenious Wisdom