Safe Steps: Enhancing Women's Safety Through Technology and Community Engagement.
Project Overview: This project aimed to enhance safety perceptions and measures in Guadalajara, Mexico, particularly for women. It integrated qualitative research, developed safety metrics, utilized sensor technology for data collection, and used agent-based modeling to simulate various safety scenarios. The project culminated in a community exhibition with storytelling to engage local women and disseminate findings.
My Role: I designed and executed all aspects of this multifaceted initiative. My responsibilities encompassed designing the research and metrics, engineering sensors, developing and simulating an agent-based model, and organizing a community exhibition. My role was crucial in bridging technical development and community engagement to drive project success. @MIT City Science Group
Metrics Development: Developed quantitative metrics to objectively measure the community's perception of safety. This involved statistical analysis and validation of the qualitative data collected.
Sensor Development: Engineered and deployed environmental sensors to collect data on safety-related incidents and environmental factors affecting safety perceptions.
Qualitative Research: Conducted in-depth interviews, videography, and focus groups with community members to gather insights into their perceptions and experiences of safety (this data did not exist).
App for Crowdsourcing: Created to facilitate broader data collection. This app collects user-generated data on safety incidents and perceptions, which is integrated into the analysis.
Community Engagement and Exhibition Planning: I organized and curated the exhibition, coordinating with community members to facilitate storytelling sessions that effectively communicated the project's goals and findings to a broader audience.
Agent-Based Modeling: Developed a sophisticated simulation model to predict the impact of various safety measures. This model incorporates data from sensors and additional data collection methods, along with the metrics developed, to simulate different scenarios and their effects on community safety.
Communication to stakeholders: We collaborated with the Jalisco government's Crime Prevention Unit throughout the process, as well as with an NGO in the field. This helped us translate our findings into policy decisions and ground-level actions. For example, the NGO allocated funds to improve two poorly maintained public spaces and to build an urban garden as a meeting zone.