Monday, 1 July, Dr. Danielle Wood from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will hold a talk about how ‘Technology from Space Helps Keep us Safe on Earth’. The talk will take place at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo at 6:30 pm and is open to the general public, free of charge. The Ministry of Home Affairs especially encourages middle and high school students who are involved in STEAM activities to attend.
The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban commented, “ I am grateful to the Department of Energy for helping to organize this event. As we move towards the future of advertising the space and satellite capabilities in Bermuda on a national platform, we must remember to educate and inspire the study of this at home. I am pleased to welcome Professor Wood and am looking forward to her talk. I know it will be very beneficial to the Bermuda public.”
Dr. Wood’s talk comes following the launch of the Governments first Space and Satellite website, www.space.gov.bm, and is in line with the Ministry’s efforts to further the discussion of space technologies among the Bermuda public and students. Keeping with the theme, the Ministry of Home Affairs will also host two Space Camps for eleven- to fourteen-year-old public school students this August.
Dr. Wood currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Media Arts & Sciences Programme and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics at MIT. Dr. Danielle Wood also leads the new Space Enabled Research Group at the MIT Media Lab. The mission of the Space Enabled Research Group is to advance justice in Earth's complex systems using designs enabled by space. Their message is that six types of space technology are supporting societal needs, as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These six technologies include satellite earth observation, satellite communication, satellite positioning, microgravity research, technology transfer, and the inspiration derived from space research and education.
While much good work has been done, barriers still remain that limit the application of space technology as a tool for sustainable development. The Space Enabled research group works to increase the opportunities to apply space technology in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. Their research applies six methods, including design thinking, art, social science, complex systems, satellite engineering and data science. They pursue their work by collaborating with development leaders who represent multilateral organizations, national and local governments, non-profits and entrepreneurial firms to identify opportunities to apply space technology in their work. They strive to enable a more just future in which every community and country can easily and affordably apply space technology. Monday’s talk will provide examples showing how each of these areas contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
More About Dr. Danielle Wood:
Professor Danielle Wood joined the Media Lab as assistant professor in the Program in Media Arts and Sciences as of January 2018. Within the Media Lab, Prof. Wood leads the Space Enabled Research Group which seeks to advance justice in earth's complex systems using designs enabled by space. Prof. Wood is a scholar of societal development with a background that includes satellite design, earth science applications, systems engineering, and technology policy for the US and emerging nations. In her research, Prof. Wood applies these skills to design innovative systems that harness space technology to address development challenges around the world. Prof. Wood’s research also develops systems analysis tools to improve decision making during the design of complex systems. Most recently, Prof. Wood worked as the Applied Sciences Manager within the Earth Science Division of Goddard Space Flight Center. Previously, she served as Special Assistant and Advisor to the Deputy Administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Prior to working at NASA, Prof. Wood held positions at the Aerospace Corporation, Johns Hopkins University, and the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs. Prof. Wood studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned a Ph.D. in engineering systems, SM in aeronautics and astronautics, SM in technology policy, and SB in aerospace engineering.