STOP/Fieldwork & Mountaintop reflection

1. Achievements
   1. Fieldwork
   2. Multiple contacts in Almaty
   3. Divided up our project into specified teams
   4. IRB
2. Challenges
   1. Communication with Kazakhstan team
   2. Communication with Hong Kong team (air filter)
3. Further Plans
   1. Regularly meet with our teams at Haileybury
   2. Conduct study
   3. Plan forms of outreach

CINQ 388 Ethical Decision-Making Methodology 

Step 1: Determine the facts in the situation – obtain all of the unbiased facts possible. Clearly state the ethical issue. 

1. Facts: 
   1. Without auto-disable safety feature → low cost (accessible) + risk of spreading disease
   2. With auto-disable safety feature → higher cost + safety

1. Ethical issue:
   1. Should we prioritize accessibility or safety?
      1. Should I help 10 people or should I help 100 people although certain amount of people might be exposed to another disease?

Step 2: Define the Stakeholders – those with a vested interest in the outcome 

Step 3: Assess the motivations of the Stakeholders 

1. Hospitals/clinics – primary stakeholder – customer
   1. Interest: Helping those who are in need to achieve and maintain their optimal health; sustaining their operation through financial security
2. Patients – primary stakeholder – end user
   1. Interest: Achieving and maintaining their best health; having access to health services regardless of their socioeconomic status (health equity)
3. Designers/manufacturers/insurance companies – secondary stakeholders 
   1. Interest: Using technology to better human life; making profit to sustain their business
4. Government/regulatory body – secondary stakeholders
   1. Interest: Securing the safety of the country and its citizens; serving the best for its citizens

Step 4: Formulate (at least three) alternative solutions – based on information available, using basic ethical core values as guide

 Approaches [1/2/3: repeat for every action] 

• Potential solution: Designing the high-cost syringe and finding funding to make it accessible
• Ethical Principle or code: Duty-based thinking
• Pros: Safe health practice can be established
• Cons: Needs the involvement of third stakeholder (government + insurance companies) to step in and manage the financial aspect of the product to secure the accessibility among general public

• Potential solution: Designing the low-cost syringe and formulating disposal instructions/regulations
• Ethical Principle or code: Consequence-based thinking
• Pros: As accessibility is secured, many more people can be helped regardless of their socioeconomic status.
• Cons: Needs to practice strong disposal regulations to prevent possible spread of disease

• Potential solution: Design both syringes and let people make their own decisions
• Ethical Principle or code: duty-based thinking
• Pros: People will have choice.
• Cons: Those with lower socioeconomic status will be disproportionately affected by the possible spread of disease through low-cost syringe.

Step 5: Seek additional assistance, as appropriate – engineering codes of ethics, previous cases, peers, reliance on personal experience, inner reflection [RESEARCH the necessary informations]

• WHO guideline: Safety-engineered syringes to prevent re-use
• CDC guideline:  Syringes should be discarded after single use and should not be re-used
• Incidence of syringe transmitted diseases: Acute hepatitis C virus cases rose 3.5-fold from 2010-2016 and majority of new cases are due to injection drug use.
• The growth market for disposable syringes: With this growth comes cheaper costs, which could aid in solving this problem

Step 6: Select the best course of action – that which satisfies the highest core ethical values. Explain reasoning and justify. Discuss your stance vis-a-vis other approaches discussed in the class. 

1. Designing both high and low-cost syringes to secure both accessibility and safety, and also working with third stakeholders to formulate and reinforce strict regulations on syringe disposal to prevent misuse
   1. Pros:
      1. Making options available
      2. Securing safety through safety feature in high-cost syringe and safety regulation in low-cost syringe
      3. Incorporating both consequence and duty-based thinking
      4. Prioritizing both safety and accessibility
   2. Cons:
      1. Needs third party involvement on regulations to prevent possible health disparity

Step 7: (If applicable) What are the implications of your solution on the venture. Explain the impact of your proposed solution on the venture’s technology, economic, social and environmental aspects. An abridged version (6-step) of the 9-Step Process from “Applied Ethics Case of the Month Club”; adapted from methodology developed by Andy Lau @ Penn State.

• Technology: 
  • High-cost syringe: using technology to better human life 
  • Low-cost syringe: less technology to decrease the cost 
• Economic: 
  • High-cost: designers and manufacturers and make profit and sustain their business
  • Low-cost: everyone will have access 
• Social: reducing health disparity by introducing low-cost product and strong regulations
• Environmental: 
  • Low-cost: could lead to less pollution because it has less parts

6/12-6/16

During the second week of Mountaintop, our primary objective was to complete an IRB proposal for the natural experiment we plan to launch in October. Obtaining approval from the Almaty high school, our partner institution, was crucial as it required students to fill consent forms to participate in our study. On Tuesday, during our Weekly League Check-Ins, we presented our project, discussed the progress made during our fieldwork, and outlined our plans for the upcoming week.

On Thursday, we had a meeting with our professor to discuss the specifics of the IRB proposal and explore potential partnerships that could empower the people of Almaty. During this meeting, our professor provided us with the missing piece required to set up our monitors. Additionally, the professor highlighted an interesting observation from her extended stay in Almaty: company representatives expressed more interest in our filter than in our monitor. As a result, one suggestion was to design an interactive pamphlet explaining the root causes of air pollution, promoting the benefits of using and purchasing our filter, and highlighting the positive health effects of having multiple filters.

In the afternoon, we shifted our focus to hands-on work, constructing additional monitors in Wilbur. With all the necessary components in place, we successfully assembled multiple monitors. Both Almaty and Lehigh now have air monitors, allowing both sides to continue their testing. We reached out to our partners at Lingen University via email, requesting additional air filters for Lehigh, since our only unit is currently in Almaty. Unfortunately, they currently don’t have any available units, but they assured us that they would notify us as soon as more supplies become accessible.

6/5-6/9

The first day of Mountaintop we started the day with an introductory session, providing us with a glimpse of what is ahead in this extraordinary program. Our session began with a round of introductions, facilitated by Bill’s engaging icebreakers. As we took turns sharing our backgrounds and origins, to create a more welcoming space. 

One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to see the incredible projects underway within each group. It helped us all see new perspectives on the diverse ideas and initiatives being pursued. Each presentation offered a unique glimpse into the creative minds of our fellow participants and their ambition for the next ten weeks.

To summarize the activities over the next couple of days at Mountaintop, we made comprehensive plans for the week. Our top three priorities included assigning specific roles to interested Halieybury students for our project, which we discussed during our previous meeting with them during fieldwork. We successfully scheduled a meeting with these students for this coming Monday, where we will introduce the projects and clarify their tasks based on their preferred roles (such as cognitive function, air monitors, air filters, or targeted public outreach).

The second area of focus was the implementation of air monitors. While we had already built a few for Almaty, we needed to create monitors for Lehigh as well. To accomplish this, we utilized the Wilbur Electronic Design Room to assemble the necessary components. This week, we managed to construct approximately six monitors. However, they are not yet fully functional, as we are currently awaiting a missing piece that the professor will be sending us shortly. Once we receive it, we will have a complete set of six monitors.

Lastly, we dedicated attention to the development of our Institutional Review Board (IRB) proposals. These proposals are crucial for obtaining approval to conduct our natural experiment in schools across Almaty. We are actively working on these proposals to ensure we meet all the necessary requirements and receive the green light for our research.

In summary, the key accomplishments of the past few days at Mountain Top involved assigning roles to Halieybury students, organizing a meeting with them, constructing air monitors for Lehigh, and progressing with the IRB proposals for our project in Almaty.

Blog #4: Team Prompts– 

1. List the top 20 questions your team needs to answer to advance the venture forward. Categorize the questions if necessary. 

1. When is the heating season in Almaty?
2. Where are the power houses located?
3. What is the general map of the city?
4. Where are the main roads located?
5. Where are self-heating traditional houses mainly located?
6. Where are the schools located? 
7. When will we conduct the experiment?
8. How can we make our monitors and filters easily accessible?
9. How many participants do we need?
10. How will we analyze the data?
11. How can we convince citizens to take better precautions?
12. What is the best way to educate people about the effects of poor air quality?
13. What is the most effective way to make air monitors?
14. Can we persuade the government to make meaningful changes?
15. How much help can we anticipate from Kazak organizations?
16. What other potential partnerships can we form? 
17. Realistically, will we be able to improve the air quality? 
18. How to build sustainable and affordable air filters with local products?
19.  How to share the result of our experimental study?
20. Do we need funding? How can we get any?

2. Develop and Visualize the Theory of Change (Logic Model) for your venture. Please submit a crisp visual. 

https://lehighedu-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/jlm526_lehigh_edu/Ef30lmzn6olGnyEZitZG-g0B43TxQsfHz300l44wIoXp3A?e=4%3A91RzkX&at=9 

3. Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan for your venture. Identify short-term and long-term outcomes.

1. Metric of success: we are going to measure success through cognitive tests. The results of the tests will tell us if air quality has an effect on cognitive performance.
2. Short term: educate people on ways to keep protect themselves from poor air quality and create air monitors
3. Long term: infrastructural change and improved air quality will decrease the health issues associated with air pollution

1. Submit your matrix of research and venture goals for the Spring semester, Summer/Fieldwork, and Fall semester. 

Timetable:

1. Spring 2023
   1. Project goal
      1. Air monitor
         1. Learning to assemble monitors (new members)
         2. Assembling 20 air monitors and sending to Alma U for the quasi study
         3. Creating exterior design for the air monitors
      2. Air Filter
         1. Doing research on the design of affordable and insertable air filters
         2. Analyzing the old prototype we build last summer
         3. Listing and purchasing necessary materials for the filter
         4. Building the first air filter
         5. Creating an exterior design for the air filter
      3. Air monitor and air filter
         1. Testing the air monitor and filter at Lehigh before the Fieldwork and collecting data
            1. 3 weeks
            2. Open window; closed window; open window+air filter
         2. Improving the monitors and filters based on the test
      4. Assembly shop
         1. Doing research on establishing Assembly shop
         2. Finding local partners to collaborate on the Assembly Shop
      5. Social media
         1. Creating and developing social media account
   2. Research goal
      1. Quasi experimental study
         1. Getting CITI certificate
         2. Designing the method and the environment of the study
         3. Monthly online meeting with partners
         4. Writing research proposal
         5. Applying for the IRB
         6. Writing consent form (if needed) and translating the consent form
         7. Start collecting data through our local partners
      2. Last year’s study
         1. Conference in REEESNe
   3. Resources needed
      1. Air monitor parts for air monitor 
      2. The old air filter design to analyze
      3. The information of how our partners can cooperate with us on the study
      4. Testing location at Lehigh
      5. Local partners to collaborate on the Assembly Shop
2. Summer 2023
   1. Project goal
      1. Air monitor and filter
         1. Finding the necessary materials in local market
         2. Replicating the test at Lehigh in Almaty in shorter time period
            1. 3 days
            2. Open window; closed window; open window+filter
         3. Testing in multiple location to collect data
            1. Indoor; outdoor; downtown; outer area of the city
         4. Fixing the models based on the fieldwork testing
         5. Repeating the 3-week test at Lehigh
            1. 3 weeks
            2. Open window; closed window; open window+air filter
         6. Finalizing the design of the air monitors and air filters
      2. Assembly shop
         1. Finding local partners
         2. Establishing the agenda and the practices
         3. Setting up the Assembly shop
      3. Social media
         1. Informational posts about the consequences of air pollution
            1. Sharing the result of the study
         2. Promotional posts for monitors and filters
         3. Keep posting and updating the account with the process of the project and research
   2. Research goal
      1. Experimental study
         1. Exploring the social dimension and selecting another organization to conduct the study and to scale up our study
         2. Continue collecting data at AlmaU
         3. Finish collecting the data 
         4. Analyzing the data
         5. Writing a paper
         6. Applying for conferences
         7. Applying for publication
   3. Resources needed
      1. Airfare
      2. Funding for materials of monitors and filters
      3. Locations to test the monitor and filter
      4. Finding local partners for the Assembly shop project
      5. Assembly shop logistics
3. Fall 2023
   1. Project goal
      1. Air monitor and filter
         1. Participating in conferences to introduce our low-cost monitors and filters
      2. Assembly shop
         1. Training Assembly shop workers
         2. Starting the mass-assembly of monitors and filters
      3. Social media
         1. Promotional posts for monitors and filters and the Assembly shop
         2. Keep posting and updating the account with the process of the project and research
   2. Research goal
      1. Experimental study
         1. Participating in conferences to share the results of the study
         2. Formulating the next year’s study
   3. Resources needed
      1. Promotion of the products
      2. Funding for conference traveling

Identify the 10 toughest questions from the 14-page list, and answer them in advance of your presentations. 

1. What stops another business/nonprofit/social enterprise from offering identical products or services? 
2. What is your intellectual property strategy?
3. How will customers purchase your product? 
4. What kinds of human resources do you need?
5. Who manufactures it? Where do you manufacture it? How do you manufacture it? 
6. What kind of full-time staffing will you need?
7. How will you determine salaries / stipends?
8. What kind of perks and benefits will your employees expect? 
9. What kind of oversight and accountability mechanisms will you deploy?
10. What are the core costs incurred to operate the venture?

Write 3 elevator speeches about your project: 

• For a professor/advisor
  • Did you know that air quality in some parts of the world is so bad that you can see the particulate matter with your naked eye? We are part of an impact fellowship to help mitigate the effects that the poor air quality has on health. Our current goals right now are to collect data on how air quality affects cognitive ability and to build cost effective air monitors and filters. We would appreciate it if you shared your opinion and expertise with us and if you have any thoughts on further action we should take. 
• For an interviewer for a summer internship 
  • Through the Office of Creative Inquiry at Lehigh University, I am in a Global Social Impact Fellowship. My project is to help mitigate the effects that poor air quality in Almaty, Kazakhstan has on human health. My team consists of 4 other Lehigh students, a faculty advisor, and students from Almaty Management University. We are working together to build air monitors and filters and to collect data about the effects that air quality has on cognitive ability. This fellowship has taught me so much already about how to work with a team of people from diverse backgrounds and has made me feel prepared for this internship.
• For a roommate asking about your project
  • My project is working to help educate the citizens in Almaty, Kazakhstan about the effects of poor air quality on their health. We’re building air monitors and filters and conducting tests on them to see the different amounts of particulate matter in the air. We are also working with Almaty Management University to gather and analyze the effects that air quality has on cognitive ability. Follow our Instagram @aqalehigh to see updates about our project!

1. Refine the income statement for your venture.  

1. Refine the capital expenditure budget. 

1. Identify two SPECIFIC funding sources for the design phase of your project and two SPECIFIC funding sources for the dissemination (implementation / distribution / commercialization) phase of your project. For each funding source, explain why this is a good fit for your project, and what SPECIFIC aspect of your project might the funding source support. 
   1. NSF grant: It is a good fit because it focuses on the environment and sustainability. Our project is trying to find the most sustainable and cost effective way for citizens to protect themselves from the harmful effects of air pollution.
   2. SEAL grant: It is a good fit because we are trying to change the public’s understanding of the effects of air pollution. It could fund campaigns to spread awareness.
   3. REEESNe grant: It is a good fit because our target population is in former Soviet Union country and this grant is focused on projects implemented in those countries. 
2. Identify five specific partnerships that you need to forge to advance your project forward with the ultimate goal of positively impacting at least one million people. Describe exactly how that partnership might help you achieve scale and why that entity might be willing to work with you. 
   1. AlmaU: They are helping us conduct a study to show the effects of air pollution on cognitive ability.
   2. Haileybury: Participating in the study
   3. High schools in Almaty: First customers of the product
   4. Hospitals: can easily share information about preventative measures
   5. Almaty local government: Can easily share information on the effects of air pollution and how to combat it

1. Develop pessimistic, optimistic, and realistic sales / reach projections for your venture over two years (at six month intervals). 

2. Develop a detailed income statement for your venture for two years (at six month intervals). Explicitly state the assumptions that underlie your financial model.

3.  Develop a budget that captures all the non-recurring (one-time) expenses to get your venture up and running.

1. Refine your business models using the business model canvas. 
   1. Business Model Canvas
2. Refine your slides to articulate your business model.
   1. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14DYG_64ByBsKWHBiV7-UKb1nphhaj8vdwftXTNylwzc/edit#slide=id.g209e47bfe1c_0_134

1. From the social enterprises we reviewed today, or others you have studied, identify ten extremely specific strategies that you can leverage for your project. The strategies can be about the technology, the business model, access to capital, customer education, messaging, thought leadership, etc. 

1. Pay what you can technique 
2. Razor/Cartridges business model, where the monitor is free/cheap but the filter inside costs money and needs to be replaced every couple months 
3. Donations/Grants can be a main source of revenue  
4. Bring technology to rural areas 
5. Create a website that explains the concept behind our monitors and educates about air pollution in Almaty
6. Be provocative 
7. Make our message/product super clear so there’s no confusion
8. People like to help others  REAL
9. Expand our product if successful to other parts of kazakhstan/the world
10. Simplify products so it’s easy for the customer to use it 

    2.  Create a first draft of your business model using the business model canvas. Please be as specific as possible and explain why you picked those specific approaches for each of the building blocks. 

1. Key proposition
   1. Affordable air monitors and air filters (necessary equipment)
      1. Preventive methods (individual level behavioral change)
         1. Reducing the impact of air pollution on health (from bottom up approach)
2. Customer segment
   1. Low-income households
   2. Educational institutions
   3. Generally all Almaty citizens
3. Channels
   1. Assembly shop
      1. Located AlmaU
      2. Employing AlmaU students (taskshifting) 
      3. Marketing: online+mouth to mouth
4. Customer relationships
   1. Maintainence
      1. Battery (once a year)
   2. Communication
      1. Through social media and telephone
5. Key activities
   1. Affordable air monitors and air filters
   2. Promoting preventive behaviors→Quasi-experimental study
6. Key resources
   1. Parts of air monitors and air filters
   2. Data from school and analysation
7. Key partners
   1. AlmaU: Experimental study; Assembly shop
   2. School: Experimental study; data collection
   3. Hospital & Ministry of health: Marketing; distribution [signaling partners]
8. Cost structure
   1. Cost: parts of air monitors and air filters
9. Revenue streams
   1. Same as Aravind hospital

1. Create a set of 2-4 slides to articulate your business model in a presentation. Come prepared to describe your business model in the next class. 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14DYG_64ByBsKWHBiV7-UKb1nphhaj8vdwftXTNylwzc/edit#slide=id.g209e47bfe1c_0_124