©SURGE, 2018.
Earlier this month we brought you news about an innovative reconnaissance mission that gave under-represented scholars in engineering and social sciences an opportunity to explore the impacts of Hurricanes Maria and Irma on the Virgin Islands. That mission was just the start, as you’ll see in this award-winning video.
The Minority Scholars from Under-Represented Groups in Engineering and Social Sciences (SURGE) Capacity in Disasters pilot project was created to strengthen the recruitment, retention, and matriculation of minority graduate students in STEM-related fields, and thereby increase the representation of these groups among disaster researchers, decision-makers, and practitioners.
Ultimately, these efforts are intended to reduce disaster losses that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority communities by enhancing social capital, decreasing vulnerability, and promoting resilience.
The Minority SURGE Capacity in Disasters video, which won a Public Choice Award in the 2018 STEM For All Video Showcase is a great way to learn more about the SURGE initiative and hear from the students, mentors, and other supporters of the program. We hope you’ll take time to see this fun clip and let others know about this groundbreaking effort.