About the Directors

John-Michael Davis, Assistant Teaching Professor – Department of Integrative and Global Studies  

My work follows a common theme that values community-driven and action-oriented research to address complex development challenges related to sustainable livelihoods, environmental management, and community engagement. Involving communities and local stakeholders within all phases of the research process is fundamental in my work. This builds momentum to empower communities to achieve greater social and environmental justice during and beyond research projects. Over the past eight years, I’ve investigated the economic and environmental conditions of North-to-South e-waste trade and informal e-waste economies across the global South – with extensive fieldwork in the Israeli-Palestinian e-waste system. My research has been widely published in academic journals, featured in national and international media outlets, and directly influenced policy decisions.

Scott Jiusto, Professor Emeritus – Department of Integrative and Global Studies

My teaching, research, and community engagement is integrated through my participation in WPIs Global Projects Program, where I help students prepare for and conduct projects in places such as London, Venice, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Washington, Cape Town, and Worcester. My work with students and local partners explore the potential for shared action learning and other projects to effect personal, institutional, and community transformation. Themes such as informal settlement upgrading, water and sanitation provision, early childhood development, energy strategies and sustainable livelihoods are important concerns in my work and publications, as is assessing the impacts of project-based, community engaged educational programs on students and local partners.