Anthro-Engineering: Decarbonization at the Million-Person Scale

3-0-9 units. HASS-S · Undergraduate

Weaves engineering solutions with anthropological explorations of real-world problems, specifically the implementation of a molten salt heat bank to be used as an alternative to coal for heating in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Envisions and puts into practice "anthro-engineering," approaching engineering problems from a human- and anthropology-first, holistic and interdisciplinary perspective. Considers how user-centric design and stakeholder inclusion, responding to cultural and political constraints on clean energy issues, and working in diverse groups on open-ended problems can be more likely to succeed. Explores materials, design, and prototyping while learning about and employing ethnographic research methods through readings, discussion, ethnographic tasks, and project planning.