Essentials of the Nurse+Engineer: Qualitative Methodology Applied to Foods Systems in Environmental Engineering
- Conference
- Location
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Portland, Oregon
- Publication Date
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June 23, 2024
- Start Date
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June 23, 2024
- End Date
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July 12, 2024
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Environmental Engineering Division (ENVIRON)
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/47335
Paper Authors
Daniel B. Oerther
Missouri University of Science and Technology
orcid.org/0000-0002-6724-3205
Professor Daniel B. Oerther, PhD, PE, BCEE, DLAAS, FAAN(h) joined the faculty of the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2010 as the John A. and Susan Mathes Chair of Civil Engineering after serving for ten years on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati where he was head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Professor Oerther is internationally recognized for leadership of engineers, sanitarians, and nurses promoting the practice the sustainable development, local to global. Dan is a Past President of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists. He is a Diplomate Laureate of the American Academy of Sanitarians. Dan is a lifetime honorary Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Professor Oerther's awards as an educator include lifetime honorary Fellowship in the National League for Nursing's Academy of Nursing Educators and the Robert G. Quinn Award from the American Society for Engineering Education.
Sarah Oerther
Abstract
Previously, we reported on a revamping of an existing design course to shift from a focus on sewage treatment plant design to a focus on the (re)design of local food systems. To introduce engineering students to qualitative research methods as part of community-based participatory research, we used instructional materials from the nursing profession. Results from student feedback suggests that the approach is viable, and the students uncovered examples of lived experience from the community with regard to the availability of food and the local approach to the problem of food loss and waste. Our results suggest that qualitative research methods may be taught to students of engineering by adopting instructional approaches from nursing. In this article, we make the argument that qualitative research methods as part of community-based research is as an essential skill of the nurse+engineer, a convergent V-shaped profession, and we demonstrate the value of this approach to solve problems of sustainable development such as food systems.
Oerther, D. B., & Oerther, S. (2024, June), Essentials of the Nurse+Engineer: Qualitative Methodology Applied to Foods Systems in Environmental Engineering Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/47335
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