2018 ASHS Annual Conference

UC Davis D-Lab offers an interdisciplinary, design-led approach to solving community challenges through new systems and technologies. At UC Davis the course teaches innovation, creativity and problem solving skills to graduate students. In 2013, the USAID Feed the Future Lab for Horticulture sought to test whether these methods could be effectively used to create a hands-on pathway to new appropriate technologies for small-scale horticulturists in developing nations.

Through the work of Dr. Kurt Kornbluth, the D-Lab curriculum was modified and implemented at Zamorano University in Honduras and at Kasetsart University in Thailand. Through observation, guided interviews, and post-class surveys, the impact and effectiveness of this intervention was assessed, as well as the method of implementation recorded. Results included students at both universities reporting over 90% increase in their design knowledge and a significant increase in a likelihood of approaching problem solving more creatively. At Zamorano University, community members were able to use many of the technologies created by the students, and in both cases, the university was able to test these new technologies at their demonstration centers.

One of the technologies tracked during the evaluation was the vermi-composter. Students first identified the need, which was increased soil health in the permaculture garden on campus while creating a workable vermi-composter that would hold a specific variety of worms. The students also found that the need applied to greater Latin America due to increased pressure to reduce waste through sustainable initiatives. They felt that the composter could address some of this problem by supplying “alternatives to handling organic waste by presenting an option that could be of interest to gardeners that would take advantage of the waste from homes.” The resulting composter is still in use at Zamorano University.

This evaluation also took into account positioning within the institution, class space and size, and logistical challenges to establishing a D-Lab course internationally. Results showed that partnering early with academic administrators, providing enough time to students to develop technologies, and establishing community clients, were essential elements to a successful program, along with access to the D-Lab curriculum. Challenges included material costs (and quick access to funds) and more time needed for market analysis.

This work exhibits the effectiveness of the D-Lab strategy within the international academic setting, and offers implementation lessons to establish a D-Lab for appropriate horticulture technology design at other universities.