Elizabeth Tilley: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2022

Name Prof. Dr. Elizabeth Tilley
FieldGlobal Health Engineering
Address
Global Health Engineering
ETH Zürich, CLD D 10.1
Clausiusstrasse 37
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 88 28
E-mailtilleye@ethz.ch
URLhttps://ghe.ethz.ch/
DepartmentMechanical and Process Engineering
RelationshipAssociate Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
151-8101-00LInternational Engineering: from Hubris to Hope Restricted registration - show details 4 credits3GE. Tilley, M. Kalina
AbstractSince Europe surrendered their colonial assets, engineers from rich countries have returned to the African continent to address the real and perceived ills that they felt technology could solve. And yet, 70 years on, the promise of technology has largely failed to deliver widespread, substantive improvements in the quality of life. Why?
ObjectiveThis course is meant for engineers who are interested in pursuing an ethical and relevant career internationally, and who are willing to examine the complex role that well-meaning foreigners have played and continue to play in the disappointing health outcomes that characterize much of the African continent.

After completing the course, participants will be able to
• critique the jargon and terms used by the international community, i.e. “development”, “aid”, “cooperation”, “assistance” “third world” “developing” “global south” “low and middle-income” and justify their own chosen terminology
• recognize the role of racism and white-supremacy in the development of the Aid industry
• understand the political, financial, and cultural reasons why technology and infrastructure have historically failed
• Debate the merits of international engineering in popular culture and media
• Propose improved SDG indicators that address current shortcomings
• Compare the engineering curricula of different countries to identify relative strengths and shortcomings
• Explain the inherent biases of academic publishing and its impact on engineering failure
• Analyse linkages between the rise of philanthropy and strategic priority areas
• Recommend equitable, just funding models to achieve more sustainable outcomes
• Formulate a vision for the international engineer of the future
ContentRole of international engineering during colonialism
Transition of international engineering following colonialism
White saviourism and racism in international engineering
International engineering in popular culture
The missing role of Engineering Education
Biases academic publishing
The emerging role in Global Philanthropy
The paradox of International funding
LiteratureMcGoey, L. (2015). No such thing as a free gift: The Gates Foundation and the price of philanthropy. Verso Books.
Moyo, D. (2009). Dead aid: Why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa. Macmillan.
Munk, N. (2013). The idealist: Jeffrey Sachs and the quest to end poverty. Signal.
Rodney, W. (2018). How europe underdeveloped africa. Verso Trade.
851-0624-00LETH4D PhD Seminar: Research for Development Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 15.
1 credit1KI. Günther, A. Rom, E. Tilley
AbstractDoctoral candidates from all ETH departments, whose research is related to global sustainable development issues, and conducting research in low- or middle-income countries are invited to give a presentation about their on-going work and discuss their doctoral project with a diverse group of researchers.
ObjectiveDoctoral students are able to present their doctoral project to an interdisciplinary audience and to respond to questions within a wider global sustainable development context.
865-0011-01LWater, Sanitation and Waste Management Restricted registration - show details
MAS ETH in Development and Cooperation students have priority for admission. Interested students can apply to be placed on the waiting list and will be informed about a possible admission by the program coordinators within the first week after the start of lectures.
2 credits2GI. Günther, E. Tilley, C. Zurbrügg
AbstractThe course provides an overview of the links among sanitation, water supply, waste management and environmental and health aspects. It gives an understanding of the specific challenges and possible solutions in ensuring environmental services and illustrates their impact on the population and settlements.
ObjectiveThe participants are able to
- present the global situation and development trends in the sector of sanitation, water supply, waste management and for its main actors;
- discuss the relationships between water supply, sanitation and health;
- explain the principles of technologies for drinking water treatment, the management of sewage and waste, as well as appraise their strengths and weaknesses;
- explain which sustainable concepts are implemented and how they can be inserted into the technical, institutional and social structures so that they are economically, ecologically and socially sustainable;
- provide information where good professional resources are available.