Author: Hannah Torres

A Coordinated, Synchronized, and Integrated Approach

Recently, C-RASC members John Wharton and Linton Wells II along with Schar School student, Nicole Wells, and Williams College student, Lucy Walker, developed a white paper to focus on synchronized, coordinated, and integrated approaches to cross-cutting issues in building a resilient, sustainable Puerto Rico. The authors drew from a breadth of projects in Puerto Rico to spur thought and discussion on how C-RASC and Mason can support delivering coordinated, integrated strategy for complex groups of projects that would otherwise be stovepiped. The executive summary is below and you can read the full white paper here.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is well positioned for sustainable development, growth, and a better future. There are challenges, to be sure, but the archipelago can achieve these goals with synchronized, coordinated, and integrated approaches for recovery, rebuilding, and posturing for the way ahead. This paper provides independent observations and recommendations to consider in achieving these objectives. If done well, Puerto Rico could return to the prosperity it once enjoyed and serve as a model for other cities, regions, and states.

The many challenges range from climate and coastal change to the lack of resilient and assured energy infrastructure, existing debt, poverty levels, low labor force participation, and the ongoing exodus of residents, mainly to the mainland, which contributes both to human capital shortages and the aging of the population. Going forward, plans must integrate modernization with technology enablers and then “maintenance” and “resiliency,” and these need to be resourced. Energy solutions and infrastructure should be built “resilient against hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and fire,”^[i] recognizing the many inter-dependencies among infrastructures, new technologies and governance.

Success will depend on being able to maintain continuity of effort over time and execute strategic plans, regardless of political transition.  Technological acceleration and strategic plans must include civil society and include a “governance ecosystem” of government, business, and civil society experts. They could benefit from an independent, non-partisan, entity to coordinate federal and local governments, non-governmental organizations, business and civil sectors, and funding agencies to demonstrate returns on investment (ROI) and achieve a resilient, smart, connected Commonwealth.^[ii]

This paper outlines solutions to achieve early momentum and lasting consequences, especially in three areas: (1) setting the foundation for a diverse, resilient, and sustainable energy supply and transmission system, (2) integrating these with key enablers of a “smart and connected Puerto Rico,“ and (3) building a workforce to meet these challenges and innovate to anticipate new ones. Sustainable solutions are, first and foremost, human solutions. They include the responsible balancing of population and resources to attack both economic and energy poverty in ways that let people meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Recommendations: There is no one solution and no one has all the answers. Effective solutions will have to be “co-created” with Puerto Rico’s stakeholders, not developed in isolation. The authors have researched the progress of the recovery efforts to date, identified challenges the island faces, and recommend a foundation for a sustainable, resilient, and adaptable solution with an emphasis on assured infrastructure and energy solutions. It also recommends key enablers which, if used correctly, can help posture the Commonwealth for the future and suggests way to enable the workforce. Based on this research and these observations, the team recommends that Puerto Rico:

• Focus first on human capital, including education, health, and security to improve quality of life.
• Recognize that solutions involve people, organizations, and processes, as well as technology.
• Build a stable “governance ecosystem” of government, business, and civil society with that includes an enduring, nonpartisan entity.
• Pursue coordinated, synchronized, and integrated approaches that cut across silos.

[i] Rand Corporation. “Transformation and Innovation in the Wake of Devestation:An Economic and Disaster Recovery Plan for Puerto Rico.”Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust. (2018). Retrieved September 20, 2020, from http://www.prsciencetrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/pr-transformation-innovation-plan.pdf

[ii]. Ibid.

 

Read the full white paper

 

Blog post by C-RASC Summer 2021 Intern, Zach Draper (Georgia State University)

In the 20 years since broadband internet began widespread deployment in 2000, somewhere between 50-75% of US citizens are still waiting for access. Clearly, there is little consensus as to what defines a community as connected, and nearly all current surveys show room for improvement. Political and geographic elements are also limiting factors for access to the benefits of cost-effective, high-speed internet.

Urban populations enjoy much higher connectivity and speeds than their rural counterparts, and it has never been made more evident than during the COVID-19 lockdowns experienced across the country. Many rural populations have had to do without the advantages of telecommunication for healthcare, education, entertainment, and to a large degree, mental health that urban residents rely upon during this difficult time. As we move forward as a nation, we must address access to adequate broadband speeds equitably and sustainably for improved resiliency in communities of all types.

In my work with George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C-RASC), I am researching the state of rural connectivity in the Commonwealth of Virginia and, more specifically, its impact on agriculture, or “ag.” With farming being one of the largest sectors of Virginia’s economy, it is important for the nation, state, and local communities for farmers to have access to the most effective and sustainable technology available. Connected and precision ag tools drastically reduce cost, waste, and other potential environmental impacts from agriculture. Without proper broadband, widespread digital opportunities for Virginia’s farms will remain elusive.

Maps are vital in understanding where and how connected ag initiatives are focused. On both state and federal levels funding is allocated for addressing the inequity; however, due to existing FCC rules, various factors can be exploited by big telecom to misrepresent connectivity in areas where the market incentive to invest is lacking. Stakeholders at all levels disagree with current maps of the state. My work involves analyzing current maps to identify approaches for more granular mapping in Virginia. I am currently reverse geocoding data from the FCC, Microsoft, and other providing stakeholders to show that the definition of broadband connectivity should suit the needs of citizens first. Later this month, I will be attending a meeting with the Governor’s office alongside C-RASC Director, Dr. Kathy Laskey, and C-RASC Executive Advisor, Dr. Linton Wells II, as well as C-RASC research analyst Paul Rayi, who has been conducting a survey of ag tech needs and gaps. Through my work, I hope to leverage Virginia’s efforts to strategically enhance broadband connectivity, and support pilot programs on several farms I have identified as potential early adopters of ag tech.

 

STAR-TIDES 15th Annual Capabilities Demo 

“Building Sustainable Resilience in a Post COVID–19 World.”   

 Mason Fairfax Campus: October 18 – 20, 2021  (Abstracts due May 24, 2021) 

The STAR–TIDES global knowledge-sharing network, orchestrated by George Mason University’s Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities (C–RASC), will have its 15th annual capabilities demonstration on Mason’s Fairfax Campus from Oct 18-20, 2021, followed by a related event in Pentagon Center Court on Oct 21-22. The Mason event will combine physical exhibits of publicly available technologies with virtual panels and speakers.  The overarching theme will be “Building Sustainable Resilience in a Post COVID-19 World.” 

This is a call for session abstracts.  This is not a call for exhibitors. Invitations for physical exhibitors at the Mason and Pentagon demos will be sent separately. Within the “Building Sustainable Resilience in a Post COVID-19 World” framework, we are inviting abstract submissions in one of three formats:

• Panel or Interactive Talk: This is a 60-minute timeslot, which can be formatted as a moderated panel, interactive presentation or workshop with one or more presenters. Audience engagement through virtual polling, Q&A or other strategies is strongly encouraged.
• Focused Presentation: This is a 15-minute presentation related to one or more of the platforms/keys to success listed below; Organizers will group focused presentations into themed sessions and assign a session host/moderator.
• Lightning Talk: This is a 5-minute pre-recorded presentation, preferably in the format of a poster. Poster templates can be found in PowerPoint, or through Mason’s Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research. Students are strongly encouraged to present in this format, though this format is not limited only to students. Virtual lightning talk presenters are encouraged to also print physical posters for an in-person poster presentation to be held in Merten Hall on the George Mason University Fairfax campus.

Please click here or visit https://go.gmu.edu/star–tides–abstracts to submit your abstract, which should be received by Monday, May 24, 23:59 EDT. Required information:

• Name
• Affiliation
• Position Title
• Email
• Co-Author Names (The submitter will automatically be listed as first/lead author).
• Presentation Type
• Abstract Title (300 characters)
• Abstract Text (4,000 characters)
• Theme Selection

Abstracts will be reviewed by a panel and scheduled by STAR-TIDES organizers. Lead authors should receive notification of acceptance by June 7 to present their work at the annual STAR-TIDES capabilities demo. If you have questions or are interested in being an exhibitor, email star.tides.net@gmail.com.

For insight into past capabilities demo virtual presentations, please visit   https://www.youtube.com/user/TIDESProject

Presentations that span research and practice are encouraged in the following areas:

Platforms

• Energy & energy storage
• Shelter, heating/cooling & lighting
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
• Agriculture and Food Security
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Nutrition, Public Health, and Integrated Cooking
• Cross-cutting

Keys to Success

• Narrative & Storytelling, Systems Thinking, Ethics
• Education, Knowledge Sharing
• Business and Finance (FinTech, distributed encrypted ledgers, metrics of success, etc.)
• Transportation and Logistics
• Digital Enabling Technologies (GIS, identity management, building digital capacity, etc.)

Zoom is the anticipated platform for virtual sessions, and presenters will receive more details when they are selected and contacted by organizers. Information on registration and how to become an exhibitor at Mason (October 18-20, 2021) and Pentagon Court (October 21-22) coming soon. Email star.tides.net@gmail.com for more information.

What is STAR-TIDES? STAR-TIDES is a global knowledge-sharing network that focuses on building sustainable resilience, promoting human security (freedom from want and freedom from fear), and creating life-changing social and economic activities. These roles have evolved from original support by the U.S. Defense Department’s TIDES (Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) program to four defense-related mission areas: building partner capacity, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, defense support of civil authorities, and stability and peacekeeping operations.

Across the world accelerating rates of technological and social change are putting businesses, governments, security structures, and social compacts under siege. Interconnected stresses and shocks challenge assumptions and best practices. Pressures for migration and marginalization are growing. People, organizations, indeed societies, will need integrated approaches to absorb disruptions and adapt to “new normals.” In any case, the ability to adapt/reposition is critical. The goal should be to leverage the stresses and shocks to emerge stronger. In sum, “Be prepared to bounce forward better.”

Learn more about STAR-TIDES at https://star–tides.net.

Last August, George Mason University faculty and students participated in a series of virtual simulations of school shooter incidents as part of an effort to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)  and MITRE Corp. determine best practices for school safety. As a result, DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency recently released an after-action report recommending ways to protect and increase survival rates of students and staff in such situations.

Stephanie Dailey, assistant professor of counseling in the College of Education and Human Development and Kathryn Laskey, professor of systems engineering and operations research in the Volgenau School of Engineering, were the faculty leads on the project. The simulation experiment (SIMEX) was set in a virtual high school environment modeled after designs in current suburban schools supporting about 1,000 students. Mason faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, and outside educational professionals played the roles of teachers and students. Outside organizations provided school resource officers and administrative personnel.

During the two-week simulation, participants ran through scenarios in which there were different conditions, such as the absence or presence of a school resource officer or manually versus automatically locked classroom doors.

Full story by Anna Stolley Persky posted April 27, 2021 can be found at https://www2.gmu.edu/news/2021-04/mason-students-and-faculty-help-guide-school-security-participating-active-shooter.