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New Directions of STEM Research and Learning in the World Ranking Movement pp 97–110Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Not Just a Technical Problem: The Intersections of STEM and Social Science in Addressing Global Poverty

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Part of the book series: International and Development Education ((INTDE))

Abstract

Although there are limitations to the measurement of global poverty, it is a large enough indicator to draw the interest of global and regional development banks, bilateral and unilateral aid from governments, and research initiatives from companies, think tanks, and universities. Concerning global poverty research, there are eight development labs (at seven universities) funded by USAID. In this chapter, the role of interdisciplinary work at university development labs will be focused on. The larger work of the USAID funded development labs shows an impressive body of outcomes and evidence. The connection between the diverse knowledges required to solve complex problems and the ability for universities to play a role in global development was quite profound. The concept of interdisciplinary work in STEM and global development should be expanded further to poly-epistemologies to prevent falling into the traps of tyrannical expertise.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA, USA

    Christopher S. Collins

Authors
  1. Christopher S. Collins
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    John N. Hawkins

  2. Graduate School of Systems and Information, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Aki Yamada

  3. Faculty of Social Studies, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan

    Reiko Yamada

  4. University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA

    W. James Jacob

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Collins, C.S. (2018). Not Just a Technical Problem: The Intersections of STEM and Social Science in Addressing Global Poverty. In: Hawkins, J., Yamada, A., Yamada, R., Jacob, W. (eds) New Directions of STEM Research and Learning in the World Ranking Movement. International and Development Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98666-1_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98666-1_7

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98665-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98666-1

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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