J. Scott Jiusto

Biography

Education: BS Empire State College, State University of New York 1992 MA Albany, State University of New York 1998 PhD Clark University Graduate School of Geography 2004 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 and Worcester. Through the WPI Cape Town Project Centre (2007-15), my work was an exercise in Shared Action Learning (SAL), which as described to students and others is a way to think about and engage in partnerships for sustainable community development. SAL emphasizes Sharing among partners of ideas, knowledge, resources, inspiration and compassion; Action that supports the creative impulses and growth of communities and partners; and Learning drawn from research, action, and critical, reflexive practice. 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.

Research Interest

Sustainable Community Development; Project-Based Learning / Experiential Learning; Informal Settlement Upgrading in Africa; Energy Policy