Humanist and Integrated Learning and Being: Reflections on Being an Anthropologist among Engineers 

Drawing from research and teaching collaborations with colleagues in engineering, robotics, computer science, materials science, as well as community and industry partners, Caitrin Lynch reflects on how and why to question disciplinary silos, reach across to people from vastly different perspectives inside and outside academia, and authentically foreground questions of the impact of work in engineering and design. Caitrin will bring in examples from her projects in design and disability (such as the Engineering at Home website), human-centered machine learning (a collaboration with communities of people who are blind and visually impaired), design for aging (the Engineering for Humanity course), the global apparel industry (including Buying Pains), and the future of work (with roboticists and social scientists). The talk considers these examples to draw out lessons learned, guiding principles, and suggestions for ways forward that can support students and faculty in navigating change and shaping positive futures. 

Caitrin Lynch is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Olin College of Engineering.