About Us
The Engineering for Human Rights Initiative (EHRI) is a collaborative venture between UConn’s School of Engineering (SoE) and Human Rights Institute (HRI) that addresses human rights implications of the most significant challenges in engineering and technology in six key research areas: 1) Water, Health & Food Security; 2) Product Design, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain Management; 3) Community Planning, Resilience and Justice for a Changing Environment; 4) Engineering Education and Accessibility Rights; 5) Engineering Substances and Process Sustainability; and 6) Cybersecurity, Privacy and Human Vulnerability.
The Initiative involves 60 faculty affiliates across departments within the SoE and in UConn’s School of Medicine; School Social Work; Law School; School of Business; College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; and College of Agriculture, Health & Natural Resources. Globally recognized for our efforts at mainstreaming human rights into engineering education and research, we train undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and industry partners through courses and research collaboration with UConn colleagues and international partners.
Upcoming Events
"We, the Data" Book Talk with Author Wendy Wong
October 3, 2023 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Dodd Center 162 (with Zoom modality)
Led by Wendy Wong (University of British Columbia), author of We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age. Organized by the Economic & Social Rights Group (ESRG) with Co-sponsors: HRI Data Hub; UConn Business & Human Rights Initiative; Engineering for Human Rights Initiative; UConn Law; Dept of Computer Science & Engineering.
A rallying call for extending human rights beyond our physical selves—and why we need to reboot rights in our data-intensive world. Our data-intensive world is here to stay, but does that come at the cost of our humanity in terms of autonomy, community, dignity, and equality? In We, the Data, Wendy H. Wong argues that we cannot allow that to happen. Exploring the pervasiveness of data collection and tracking, Wong reminds us that we are all stakeholders in this digital world, who are currently being left out of the most pressing conversations around technology, ethics, and policy. This book clarifies the nature of datafication and calls for an extension of human rights to recognize how data complicate what it means to safeguard and encourage human potential.
Register to attend: https://events.uconn.edu/human-rights-institute/event/51822-we-the-data-a-book-discussion-with-author-wendy
The Sustainable Clean Energy Summit: Decarbonizing Society and the Grid
October 4, 2023 | 9:00am - 4:00pm | Student Union
Organized by University of Connecticut and Eversource Energy Center.
The summit will bring together academic, utility, industry, municipal and legislative experts to discuss the shifting energy landscape and will feature final presentations from six student-led research teams as part of the Eversource-sponsored Clean Energy and Sustainability Innovation Program (CESIP). See more information from the School of Engineering here.
Register to attend: https://uconnuecs.cventevents.com/event/ee786f33-aa19-417b-8acc-ca343d95c2fd/summary
Bringing Politics into Engineering Education
October 17, 2023 | 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Dodd Center 162
Led by Desen Özkan, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Organized by the Engineering for Human Rights Initiative.
While engineering has been taught to depict engineering methods as neutral and objective, there is little evidence that engineering exists outside the political sphere. The curriculum is an opportunity to instill sociotechnical ways of thinking such that students can bring their whole selves into the field. Sociotechnical engineering education refers to an engineering paradigm that values the social, political, and economic considerations just as much as the technical (Cech, 2013).
In this talk, Dr Özkan will describe a qualitative research project that examines the experiences of minoritized engineering students enrolled in a sociotechnical curricular revision. She will then describe an engineering project that emphasizes the social, economic, and political contexts into a case of engineering decision-making for an offshore wind project in Connecticut. Ultimately, political engagement in engineering is not new and reflects the changing sociopolitical landscape (Wisnioski, 2012). By depicting the curriculum as sociotechnical, engineering educators can adapt to the changing climate in ways that attract and inspire people who historically have been excluded from engineering.
Register to attend: https://events.uconn.edu/human-rights-institute/event/52905-bringing-politics-into-engineering-education
Read about Past ENG-HR Events
“Am I an Engineer? Identity, Belonging, and Motivation in Engineering Education” by Allison Godwin (Cornell University). Organized as part of the G. Michael Howard Engineering Education Lecture Series. September 7, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at Biology Physics Building (BPB) room 131.
Please RSVP at engr-ugprograms@uconn.edu.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have evolved rapidly owing to technological advancements and a growing interest in renewable energy to eliminate transportation’s dependency on fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change. While EVs could revolutionize the transportation industry, they could jeopardize social equity and environmental stewardship efforts. Current studies on transportation electrification often fail to evaluate the EV revolution implications in human rights terms. International human rights law provides universally accepted norms, standards, baseline indicators, and modes of inquiry and reporting that could significantly advance and sharpen impact analysis. In this study, we explored the potential human rights implications that EVs pose for individuals and societies throughout their life cycle. Using the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights-based treaties as our baseline, we analyzed the existing and likely EVs’ impacts on human rights. We identified potential measures to address human rights violations. Stakeholders (governments, private sectors, civil society) need to work closely together to make the transition to low-carbon transportation more equitable and sustainable.
Francesco Rouhana (Ph.D. student, UConn Civil & Environmental Engineering) with Advisor, Professor Jin Zhu (UConn Civil & Environmental Engineering), presented on this framework. This event was sponsored by Engineering for Human Rights Initiative and the Economic & Social Rights Group.
Clean energy has become one of the key strategies to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change, reduce oil dependency, improve the quality of our environment, and reduce household expenses on energy. However, the benefits from energy production and distribution have not been equally experienced by all communities. And the negative social and environmental consequences have not been equally shouldered. The clean energy transition may be an opportunity to redress some of those inequalities.
This event was aimed at fostering dialogue among community representatives, researchers, and policymakers interested in the equity implications of solar energy and electric mobility. We explored the sustainability and human rights challenges and opportunities that the clean energy revolution might bring to these sectors.
Summary of the event
The Engineering for Human Rights Initiative hosted a hybrid “Community Dialogue on Solar Energy & Electro-Mobility” on February 1, 2023, at the UConn Storrs campus (Connecticut). The event was attended by community members, energy advocates, students and interested faculty from across the state. The discussion centered on the economics of energy justice amidst the transition to clean energy, including education and extension, accessibility, and equity dimensions. This event was a step toward building university-community partnerships for research and partnership in renewable energy, affordable transportation, and equitable access to emerging technologies for Connecticut residents.
Key Takeaways (click for shareable PDF version)
- Education and extension – How can UConn support communities on clean energy technologies and assist them in accessing capacity-building/implementation grants or other support for these technologies
- Mapping key stakeholders that make the change and transition to clean energy fair for everyone. These include, but are not limited to, policymakers, energy generators and providers, local officials, worship places, and community representatives, among others. It is also important to identify locations for community connections that are “trusted” and easy to access (for example, a local barber shops). What factors help build influence community trust?
- Analyze the intersectionality of different factors such as housing (multi-family housing, renters, etc.) and infrastructure & services (e.g., transportation) and how they are linked to environmental justice in Connecticut. Does addressing energy justice need to address environmental justice issues first? What is the interdependence between the two? How does infrastructure and technology play a role in linking both of them?
- Explore the “economics of energy justice” as the economic impact of fair access to clean energy needs to be measured, as well as the role of incentives that could facilitate that transition. The disadvantages of communities without adequate access to energy are denied the opportunity for economic development, and that missed opportunity could also be quantified. What are the incentives for owners and renters that could promote the transition to clean energy?
Discussion Summary
Dr. Lyle Scruggs (University of Connecticut, Dept. of Political Science) presented on the rollout of rooftop solar panels ongoing throughout Connecticut. Scruggs highlighted the size and location of projects, noting that there are many underserved communities which may not have the resources to adopt solar panel technology. Scruggs focused, in particular, on the electoral implications of renewable energy adoption at the local, state, and national levels (i.e., analyzing the connection between adoption and those who hold positions in office). Together with others involved in the dialogue event, Scruggs explored factors affecting access to renewable energy (including shared housing) as well as the lack of access for the public to information on financial incentives and policies; discussion also focused on whose responsibility it is to help reach these communities. Participants discussed a potential role for UConn in providing public information/outreach on energy incentives; whether it be the role of higher education institutions or the company’s responsibility, there was a consensus that there needs to be work done in this area to connect individuals with sound data on renewable energy programs. Depending upon the community, the message that adopting solar panels and more sustainable energy options is possible should come from a leader who the community trusts (including religious leaders, library staff, public educators or community officials).
Transportation incentives across the state were also discussed. One attendee noted the positive impact of a free bus program in New Haven that has helped the city address transportation needs. Another participant noted a program in Hartford that enables residents to use electric bicycles or scooters; rideshare programs also provide individuals with options for commuting. Planners should consider safe storage for electric scooters, especially for renters. The disproportionate impact of vehicle emissions by commuters in urban areas was discussed, along with the need to encourage public transportation use more broadly in light of environmental and health impacts. In this connection, the transportation goal should not necessarily be to electrify first but rather, to reduce vehicle miles traveled by the individuals through greater use of public transportation. Using public transportation rather than driving a single occupancy car was framed as a service to others and the environment. For a synthesis, see the handout above, “Key Takeaways.”
Recent News
- Am I an Engineer? Identity, Belonging, and Motivation in Engineering Education September 19, 2023
- UConn and Connecticut Recognized as Leaders in Sustainability August 16, 2023
- Dr. Ozkan Leading a New Engineering Education Initiative August 15, 2023
- UConn-Led Effort is Awarded DOE Grant for Bridgeport Schools Energy Efficiency July 24, 2023
Contact Us
UConn School of Engineering and the UConn Human Rights Institute. Learn more about how we are making human rights an integral component of effective engineering practice. For more information, please contact us.
Davis Chacon Hurtado, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor for Civil and Environmental Engineering and Human Rights Institute
Thomas J. Dodd Research Center
405 Babbidge Road, U-1205
Storrs, CT 06269
E-mail: davis.chacon-hurtado@uconn.edu
Fax: (860) 486-6332
Shareen Hertel, Ph.D.
Professor for Political Science & Human Rights
Department of Political Science, University of Connecticut
365 Fairfield Way, Unit 1024
Storrs, CT 06269-1024
E-mail: shareen.hertel@uconn.edu
Tel: (860) 486-4129 Fax: (860) 486-3347
Michael Rubin, Ph.D.
Assistant Research Professor for Human Rights Institute
Thomas J. Dodd Research Center
405 Babbidge Road, U-1205
Storrs, CT 06269
E-mail: michael.a.rubin@uconn.edu
Fax: (860) 486-6332