| Some of the most earthquake-prone
regions in the world are in poor areas or developing countries, making
them prone to devastating consequences for residents whenever a quake hits.
One of the goals of the NSF-funded Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research
Center (PEER), headquartered at the University of California at Berkeley,
is to conduct outreach to engineering and other professionals interested
in earthquakes throughout the world to reduce these impacts.
Elizabeth Hausler created
an international non-profit, Build Change, while finishing her Ph.D. at
Berkeley, to teach people how to build low-cost, earthquake-resistant housing
in parts of the developing world that are prone to earthquakes. Build
Change aims to improve construction practices by disseminating its findings
to professionals involved in earthquake engineering and conducting education
and outreach programs. Hausler credits her experiences working at
PEER with providing her the background, contacts, and skills she needed
to make Build Change a success.
“I’m an earthquake engineer
and a brick mason,” she explains. She personally travels internationally
to earthquake-stricken regions, teaching by example using locally available
materials and skills. According to Elizabeth, “Being part of the PEER network,
giving presentations, and being able to interact with other students, professors,
and industry experts certainly accelerated and broadened my learning.” |
