Our Research Vision:
Fundamentally transforming the way engineers design, develop, evaluate, and implement sustainable energy and transportation systems to more equitably serve the human population
Themes we focus on:
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Clean Mobility For All
We are focused on equitably transitioning the fleet to clean vehicles and decommissioning internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
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Sustainable Energy Transition
We are focused on transitioning our energy sources to a decarbonized portfolio in an equitable and just way.
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Design Justice
We study how injustices in our engineering design process may translate into injustices in our design outcom
What do we mean by Equity?
We define an equitable state for an individual as the balance between burdens they can handle, the benefits they need for their wellbeing, and the agency to have control over their own life - all of which may differ from person to person based on their life situation and experiences*. We also define equity as a process in which we explicitly prioritize the needs and voices of people of color, low income, and other underrepresented and underserved communities^.
Figure from Syal, Eggerman, and Gerritsen, 2021
* Syal, S. M., Eggerman, K., Gerritsen, M., 2021, “True Decommissioning: Removing Internal Combustion Engine Light-Duty Vehicles Permanently, Quickly, and Equitably,” engrXiv, 23 Aug. 2021, https://doi.org/10.31224/osf.io/n2rjs.
^ Wording inspired by Sonoma County's Racial Equity and Social Justice Pillar of their 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, https://socostrategicplan.org/racial-equity-and-social-justice/
