IRES: International Research Experiences for Students in Infrastructure Remediation in Informal Settlements in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

University Of Texas At Austin, Austin TX

Investigators

Abstract

This International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) will provide mentored research opportunities for U.S. graduate students to investigate community-based infrastructure remediation strategies in marginalized communities of large developing cities. The project focuses on the lack of sustainable solid waste and storm management in slum settlements of the Dominican Republic and includes collaborations between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Santo Domingo in Dominican Republic. Several Dominican organizations, including NGOs, government officials, slum residents, and academics will also take part in this collaboration. The IRES program will involve four U.S. graduate students per year in trans-disciplinary mentored research projects. Mentored projects include independent research in infrastructure remediation related to local adaptive practices, strategies, and community based governance. The program will develop students' ability to work effectively with international research partners representing academia, professional organizations, and community groups. The program will also develop best practices for ethical and empirically rigorous service learning applicable to multiple STEM disciplines in marginalized areas of large developing cities. Community-based knowledge documented and disseminated through the IRES program will have disciplinary impacts in infrastructure remediation, community-based solid waste and storm water management, and participatory planning.