Role of games, simulation and visualization in addressing development problems in the Indian context

Speaker
Eswaran Subrahmanian
Research Professor, Institute for Complex Engineered Systems and Department of Engineering and Public Policy, Carnegie Mellon University

When
-

Where
Newell-Simon Hall 1305 (Michael Mauldin Auditorium)

Video
Video link

Description

This talk will relate my experience of using games, simulation and visualization as a means to create a participatory environment to address a variety of problems in the Indian context. The talk will describe the methodology that was developed to address these problems. Further, it will identify the theories and elements from economics and technology development for designing solutions that address the needs of people. The primary thesis of this work is that co-design of technology, intended capabilities, and institutional arrangements are needed to address these problems. Examples from real life will be included to describe and illustrate the need for the use of games, simulation and visualization to support participation. The examples include emergency and disaster management, rural electrification, and urban slums. The talk will also illustrate the need for cross- disciplinary teams for addressing problems in human development in developing countries.

Speaker's Bio

Dr. Eswaran Subrahmanian is a Research Professor at the ICES and EPP at Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a Visiting Honorary Professor at the International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. He was the Chief Scientist at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (India, 2008–2011). He has held visiting professorships at the Faculty of Technology and Policy Management at TU-Delft (Netherlands) the University of Lyon II; and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. His research is in the areas of Socio-technical systems design, Decision support systems, Engineering informatics, Design theory and methods, and engineering design education. He has worked on designing design processes and collaborative work support systems with Westinghouse, ABB, Alcoa, Bombardier, Boeing, and Robert Bosch. He has been a consultant to a number of organizations including ABB, Bosch, Lytix, and the World Bank, and is a founding member of a Bangalore-based simulation and gaming startup called Fields of View.

He has published extensively in a number of disciplines and 3 co-edited books on Empirical Studies in Engineering Design, Knowledge Management, and Design Engineering, and a co-authored book on ICT for Development. He was awarded the Steven Fenves Award for contributions to Systems Engineering at CMU. He is a life-time member of the ACM, and was elected a Fellow of the American Association of Advancement of Science in 2008.

Speaker's Website
http://www.ices.cmu.edu/eswaran-subrahmanian.asp

Host
Dan Siewiorek