Why you should listen
A professor of engineering at Olin College of Engineering, Deb Chachra's work focuses on infrastructure and design education. She is the author of
How Infrastructure Works: Inside the Systems That Shape Our World and she writes, thinks, builds, consults and speaks widely on themes of technology and society, all with an eye towards creating an abundant, thriving and sustainable future for everyone. As one of the earliest faculty at Olin College, now one of the most highly regarded and influential undergraduate engineering programs in the world, she has been on the leading edge of a transformation in engineering education. Her work encompasses all aspects of it, including designing and facilitating learning experiences and programs, consulting and collaborating with programs worldwide, and carrying out educational research — all with an emphasis on equity, creativity and context. Her writing, research and creative practice have been supported and recognized by the National Science Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, the Autodesk Foundation and others. Her writing has appeared in outlets including the
Atlantic, the
Guardian, the comic book
Bitch Planet and the scientific journal
Nature. Her technical background is in engineering physics and materials science, with a focus on biological systems.
