skip to content

MPhil in Engineering for Sustainable Development

global challenges, engineering solutions
 
Ces O'Hanlon, ESD MPhil student (13-14) writes "Secret Aid Worker" article in the Guardian

Secret aid worker: my bra stopped me from running into the path of gunfire

Read Ces O'Hanlon's (ESD MPhil 13-14) "Secret Aid Worker" article in the Guardian about her work in South Sudan with Medicins Sans Frontieres.

Ces is currently on her first mission for MSF, working as a Water and Sanitation engineer (WatSan) in Lankien, South Sudan, which is the site of one of MSF’s largest and longest running hospitals.

The hospital runs an out-patient and in-patient department treating malaria, malnutrition, TB and Kala Azar, one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases.

Whilst I studied for an undergraduate degree in civil and environmental engineering, I spent several of the summers volunteering in El Salvador on water and sanitation projects. After graduating, I worked as a water engineer in El Salvador, Mexico and India before doing a Masters in Engineering for Sustainable Development. (Text taken from MSF website)

 

Course Overview

Context

The need to engage in better problem definition through careful dialogue with all stakeholder groups and a proper recognition of context.

Perspectives

An ability to work with specialists from other disciplines and professional groups acknowledging that technical innovation and business skills also must be understood, nurtured and combined as precursors to the successful implementation of sustainable solutions.

Change

An understanding of mechanisms for managing change in organisations so future engineers are equipped to play a leadership role.

Tools

An awareness of a range of assessment frameworks, sustainability metrics and methodologies such as Life Cycle Analysis, Systems Dynamics, Multi-Criteria Decision making and Impact Assessment.