Speaker:
Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer
Date and Venue:
Zoom session, at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 22nd 2021
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://vccs.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckde-orjwsHNOhkIsF-MATlsxlZwZKG-_Q
Title of the Talk:
Design Thinking for Solving Community Challenges
Abstract:
In this talk, we will learn how to employ a human-centered approach to solving real-world challenges in the community using a design thinking framework. It will introduce lifelong competencies, practices and concepts needed to collaborate in an interdisciplinary way to solve important challenges such as those posed by the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The talk will be accessible to all disciplines and majors.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Padhu Seshaiyer is a tenured full Professor at George Mason University, Virginia, USA and he serves as the Director of the STEM Accelerator Program as well as the Director of the Center for Outreach in Mathematics Professional Learning and Educational Technology (COMPLETe). His research interests are in the broad areas of Computational Mathematics, Biomechanics, Data Science, Computational Thinking, STEM Education, Design and Systems Thinking, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. During the last decade, he initiated and directed a variety of educational programs including faculty development, post-graduate, graduate and undergraduate research, teacher professional development, outreach and enrichment programs to foster the interest of students and teachers in STEM at all levels.
Dr. Seshaiyer is also actively involved in multiple global collaborative projects and training programs that engage students, teachers and faculty from over 25 countries. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, presented over 300 invited/plenary/keynote talks and serves on several advisory boards including his recent appointment to the VA STEM Advisory Board by the Governor of Virginia. In addition to his research accomplishments, he has contributed extensively to teaching and won several prestigious awards. In 2021, he received the Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Social Impact which is the highest honors at George Mason University as well as the top educator award from the State of Virginia for his efforts to promote gender equity in computing. In 2019, he was selected as Figures that Matter and was awarded a honorary doctorate from Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium for being a committed scientist who transcends the boundaries of their own disciplines and to personalities that have been at the frontiers of societal change.