"Leadership Through Informal Mentoring and Cross-Cultural Design Experiences"
Speaker: Dr. Kari Watkins
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Thursday, March 9, 2017
Klaus 2405
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

**Coffee and donuts to be provided for attendees.

Please join C21U and Dr. Kari Watkins, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, for an upcoming Seminar Series discussion of, "Leadership Through Informal Mentoring and Cross-Cultural Design Experiences"

Abstract:

For the past two summers, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department has offered a course entitled Sustainable Transport Abroad. In this course, we focus on the planning, design, and operations of transportation systems in countries abroad that are known for a sustainable multimodal approach to transportation. We are initially focused on the Netherlands, a country where substantial efforts have been made to encourage cycling and transit usage by residents of all ages and cycling levels of comfort. The Dutch consider cycling more sustainable because of the reduction in space required, low emissions and noise, and health impacts.

The most unique portions of the course, however, are how we have embedded leadership competencies as part of the Global Engineering Leadership Minor. Cultural awareness of design practices and how culture influences design are taught by assessing the differences in transportation infrastructure planning and design. Informal mentoring is taught through interactions with mid-career professionals attending the course both to gain their own understanding of Dutch design and to interact with the students. The course includes multiple site visits with local Dutch professionals who give their perspective about Dutch transportation infrastructure.

Bio:   
Dr. Kari Watkins is an Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Frederick Law Olmsted Junior Professor. She returned to her undergraduate alma mater to become a faculty member in 2011 after completing her PhD at the University of Washington. Her research focuses on the design of infrastructure and application of information technologies for the more efficient operation of transportation systems. Dr. Watkins is known for co-creating apps like OneBusAway and Cycle Atlanta to collect and disseminate transportation data and assess the impacts on the system. More recently, her research program has expanded to include the design of complete streets, particularly the safety and perceived safety of walk and bike infrastructure. Dr. Watkins was recognized with the 2017 New Faculty Award from the Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) and as a Top 40 under 40 by Mass Transit Magazine.  Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Watkins worked for a decade as a senior transportation engineer.

Questions about this event? Contact Amanda Madden, amadden@cc.gatech.edu.