2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Strengthening Disaster Resilience Through Diaspora Engagement: A Study on Integrating Diaspora Communities into Engineering Education

Presented at Fostering Diversity and Innovation in Engineering Education

Integrating resilience into disaster management and harnessing the potential of diaspora communities in engineering education curriculum is pivotal in equipping future engineers to tackle the intricate challenges posed by disasters and their ramifications on diaspora populations. The construction industry has long grappled with a scarcity of skilled labor, which becomes especially pronounced in the aftermath of disasters during the reconstruction phase. In the aftermath of a natural disaster, the active engagement of diaspora communities within social networks can serve as a sustainable lifeline for recovery and reconstruction. They can contribute invaluable resources, both in the form of supplies and financial support, as well as a pool of skilled workers. The primary focus of this research is to advocate for the incorporation of techniques into the engineering curriculum aimed at fostering community workforce development. This involves recruiting, engaging, and training the diaspora workforce to play a crucial role in post-disaster support. To achieve this, the research employs a comprehensive mixed-method approach that systematically collects both quantitative and qualitative data through the use of questionnaire surveys presented in concept mapping and data analysis. The results of this study underscore the diaspora's willingness and ability to make a substantial impact on the industry, thus diversifying and advancing the construction workforce. It further sheds light on the dynamic global network dynamics of diaspora communities and their role in the construction industry post-disaster. This research endeavor aims to augment our comprehension of the influence of diasporas on global network dynamics within the construction industry post-disasters. Moreover, it aspires to provide recommendations for construction management education that will prepare future engineers to effectively manage diaspora stakeholders, fostering inclusive and diversified workforce communities.

Authors

Ms. ERIKA JUDITH RIVERA PE. Florida International University [biography]

Erika Rivera is a Licensed Professional Engineer with a Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus and two Master's degrees one in Engineering Management and a Master in Civil Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. She is currently a Ph.D. Student in Florida International University, in Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure, and Sustainability College of Engineering and Computing.
Claudia Calle Müller http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2023-9361 Florida International University [biography]

Claudia Calle Müller is a Ph.D. student in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Florida International University (FIU). She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP). Claudia has 4+ years’ experience in structural engineering designing reinforced concrete residential and commercial buildings in Peru; 2+ years’ experience in entrepreneurship building a successful health coaching and wellness business; and 4+ years teaching. Currently, she is a Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at the Moss School of Construction, Sustainability, and Infrastructure at FIU where she focuses on multidisciplinary research on sustainability, equity, resilient and sustainable post-disaster reconstruction, engineering education, circular economy, and well-being. Claudia holds professional credentials in LEED Green Associate for sustainable buildings and ENV SP for sustainable infrastructures.
Miss Rubaya Rahat http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0524-5619 Florida International University [biography]

Rubaya Rahat grew up in Bangladesh, where she pursued her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). After graduating she worked for two years in a construction management company in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She was involved in various residential and infrastructure projects. Rubaya now is a Ph.D. student at Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Teaching/Research Assistant at Moss School of Construction, Sustainability and Infrastructure, Florida International University. Her research interest includes Sustainable and resilient infrastructure, Engineering Education, and Sustainable transportation system.
Mr. Mohamed ElZomor P.E. http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7734-9601 Florida International University [biography]

Dr. Mohamed ElZomor is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University (FIU), College of Engineering and Computing and teaches at the Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure and Sustainability. Dr. ElZomor completed his doctorate at Arizona

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