Autumn 2025 onward
DRG is expected to continue for multiple quarters
Technology Impacts, Community Futures: Engaging Marine Energy Engineers
Instructor: Shana Hirsch
This DRG will contribute to and engage with ten long-term and large-scale marine energy engineering projects that span UW, Oregon State University (OSU), and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). The projects are supported through the Pacific Marine Energy Center (PMEC) and the US Department of Energy.
The goal of this multi-year DRG will be to develop a “toolkit” for renewable energy engineers to help them understand the potential impacts of their engineering projects and the relevant stakeholders that should be engaged. While the DRG will run for multiple quarters, only one quarter of commitment is required and each quarter will have a different focus as we move through the project.
In Fall 2025, we will begin the project by reviewing relevant literature including (but not limited to) engineering co-design, participatory methods in engineering, community impacts, and speculative design. We will work to scope the future of the project and define what kind of “toolkit” we will develop in future semesters. We expect to begin engaging with engineers in Winter 2026 through the completion of a publicly-accessible “toolkit” by 2028.
Enrollment information
- Meeting time: Wednesdays, 3–4:30 p.m.
- Credits: 1-3 based on hours spent on work outside of class time
- Who should apply: HCDE students will be prioritized, but students from any department or college should apply. You do not need to have any experience with renewable energy, but you should be motivated to engage with interdisciplinary concepts, design methods, and creative thinking.
- This DRG counts toward the directed research requirement for PhD students.
- To apply: Please complete this Google Form by Aug 31 at midnight.
- Anticipated notification date: Sept 8, 2025
- Questions? Email Shana Hirsch at slhirsch@uw.edu