FEATURE
Research with IMPACT
SoReMo promotes ethical, equitable approaches in computation, modeling, and design
A
new effort at Illinois Institute of Technology is empowering students to apply their academic research efforts in computation and data science toward positive societal change. The Socially Responsible Modeling, Computation, and Design (SoReMo) Initiative connects students with a network of academics to bring their research into the real world and to help solve the issues facing society today. “We are very good at offering technical knowledge here at Illinois Tech,” says Sonja Petrović, associate professor of applied
Barien Gad
mathematics and a SoReMo founder. “When we apply that technical knowledge to problems that face society, that education increases in value.” Petrović says students can use their academic skills to make a difference in two ways. One is to enroll in a hands-on program like food science and nutrition. Another is to pursue an academic passion and learn how to apply it to create social change. “Let’s say you just do ‘math,’” Petrović says. “How do you make a difference? SoReMo will show how to pursue a passion within the discipline and use it to make difference and enact change.” The initiative held its initial forum in February to introduce four student fellows and faculty researchers, and to host a brief discussion about goals and interests. Almost every college at Illinois
Alisha Khan 12
College of Computing
