Co-Designed Hyperlocal Sensing for Environmental Justice
Author(s)
Cabral, Alex
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Abstract
Marginalized communities are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards but lack comprehensive data to monitor their hyperlocal environments, in part due to the geographic sparsity of regulatory monitors. Although low-cost, commercially available environmental sensors have created new opportunities for underserved areas, much of the research using these sensors is conducted in isolation and focused on small-scale studies. In this talk, I will outline two case studies that aim to address these shortcomings – 1) Eclipse: a 118-node air quality sensor network co-designed with city and community partners in Chicago, and 2) Noondawind: a sensing and data integration platform co-designed with Native American Nations to monitor environmental factors affecting the growth of Manoomin (wild rice), a vital cultural and economic resource for the Ojibwe people. I will discuss three key stages of these projects: hardware design, strategic sensor placement within urban spaces, and the creation of data visualizations. I will reflect on the successes, challenges, and lessons learned throughout these projects, emphasizing technical limitations, data sovereignty, and respect for local knowledge. This work contributes to a vision that integrates cyberinfrastructure, scientific research, and community collaboration to foster long-term sustainability across local and global communities.
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Date
2025-10-09
Extent
64:00 minutes
Resource Type
Moving Image
Resource Subtype
Lecture
Rights Statement
Unless otherwise noted, all materials are protected under U.S. Copyright Law and all rights are reserved