Last week, Auburn University held its annual This is Research Symposium, highlighting different research and projects across the departments of the university. Some presentations showed the connection between research and learning more clearly than others, but what I found very impressive was how almost all short presentations focused on how their research benefits the State of Alabama, in particular through addressing issues of poverty, broader economics, and broader education needs throughout the state and region.
The topics ranged from tiny specks of bronchitis viruses that infect chicken and thus need to be dealt with (as chicken products are worldwide still the number one source of protein) to 3d printing of plane engines and other machines that no longer need to be assembled out of hundreds of parts. Or they ranged from how trees and other plants can create more durable and sustainable materials to designing and building houses that cost only $20,000, making it possible for poor people (of which we have a lot in Alabama) to get an affordable house. Or how difficult it is to discern between different synthetic drugs; or how AI development may make it easier to help us make informed decisions rather than letting us drown in all the choices we have to make daily.
The variety of research was amazing, the focus on Alabama and its people was refreshing -- now we need to find ways to bring our students better into the discussion. One point that was not truly addressed is that almost all of the new developments in the various areas lead to a shrinking population in rural areas and small towns, widening the gap between urban haves and rural have nots. How can the university help sustain smaller communities while improving the rural standard of living? Online technologies and partnerships with local community colleges seem the obvious solution, although I expect that this is easier said than done.
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