US-Africa Business Conference
June 9, 2008
Susan Vernon-Gerstenfeld, PhD
Provides third year
students the opportunity to
investigate and report on a
problem at the intersection
of science or technology
and societal structures and
values anywhere in the
world
Provides real-world context
 introduces the realm of messy problems
 provides a short-term
work experience
 fosters team building
and collaboration skills
 encourages critical thinking
Sets the above in a sponsored and
guided academic context
Demands consideration of the meaning of societytechnology interactions

Project centers are all
over the world





Europe, Asia, Australia
North America
Central America
Africa
African sites are in


Namibia
South Africa

Prepare on campus for 7 weeks
 Develop background
 Do preliminary interviews



Learn the methods of community
development and sustainable
development
Be on site for 2 months to collect data, analyze,
make recommendations
Practice writing research reports, oral
presentations, and team skills


Focused on well defined national priorities and
very often are in informal settlements
Often have a Peace Corps aura but are
grounded in academic research