REDNACECYT-MD4SG 2023 Summer of Science Program
The goal of the Summer of Science Program is to support female students from indigenous communities in Mexico as they design and execute research projects aimed at improving their local communities. Applicants to the program are students at various levels of postgraduate education, and they prepare proposals aimed at using techniques from algorithms, optimization, and mechanism design, along with insights from the social sciences and humanistic studies to address relevant issues in their communities. Students who are accepted to the program are paired with mentors from MD4SG to work through their projects over the Summer. The end deliverable of this collaboration between mentors and students is a poster presentation which the students give at the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization (EAAMO).
The previous iteration of the program, the “COPOCYT-MD4SG Summer of Science” accepted 8 female indigenous students from the Huasteca region of San Luis Potosí, Mexico to present posters at EAAMO ‘22 which took place at George Mason University in the United States. The students were from Tének and Nahuatl-speaking communities and their projects spanned the broad themes of: preservation of indigenous language/culture, affordable housing, and equitable access to healthcare for indigenous communities.
This year’s Summer of Science Program is a partnership between the Mechanism Design for Social Good (MD4SG) research initiative and the National Network of Councils and State Organizations of Science and Technology (REDNACECYT).
We are thrilled to announce that this year we have accepted 20 female students overall from the states of Michoacán, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Estado de México, Veracruz, Puebla y San Luis Potosí. The students are members of 11 indigenous communities overall (Cuanajo, Purépecha, Mixteco, Tepehuan, Rarámuri, Mazahua, Zapoteca, Náhuatl, Tének, Mazateca and Zoque). The projects proposed by these students cover a wide array of topics, including (amongst others): understanding and improving collective decision-making in indigenous communities, preserving indigenous culture and identity, providing equitable healthcare and housing, and understanding perceptions of environmental policy in local indigenous communities.
Timeline #
- June - July: Call for proposals published by REDNACECYT
- Late July: Students are notified on whether their proposals are accepted to Summer of Science
- Early August: Students are paired with mentors from MD4SG
- Early August - Mid October: Students meet regularly with MD4SG mentors and prepare poster for presentation at EAAMO ‘23
- Mid September: Information session with Fullbright program officers regarding scholarship opportunities in the U.S.A.
- October 30 - November 1st: Participation at EAAMO ‘23 at Boston University
- Poster session date/time TBA
- November 2nd: Summer of Science workshop to be held at Harvard University
- Events include: seminars and tutorials from researchers at Harvard University, guided visit of the University, visits to research labs, and social events with students and student groups. Further details to be announced closer to the date.
2023 Cohort #
Organizing Team and Mentors #
The following mentors are also the main organizing team from MD4SG facilitating the Summer of Science program.
- Dr. Francisco Marmolejo Cossío, Harvard University
- Dra. Tilsa Ore Monago, Rice University
- Dra. Imelda Flores Vazquez, Econometrica Inc.
- Michelle González-Amador, UNU-MERIT and Maastricht University
- Dr. Rubén Martínez Cárdenas, University of York
Full list of mentors:
- Dr. Alejandro Robinson-Cortés, University of Essex
- Prof. Salvador Ruiz Correa, Potsinian Institute of Scientific Research and Technology (IPICYT)
- Prof. Alicia Prieto Langarica, Youngstown State University
- Diego M. Macall, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
- Prof. Areli Vázquez Juárez, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
- Agnes Medinaceli, University of Oxford
- Jorge Garcia Ponce, Harvard University
- Dr. Egidio Tentori, Cornell University
- Dr. Flor Gerardou, Falmouth University
- Dr. Blanca Moran, Sheffield Hallam University
- Dr. Angel Urbina Garcia, University of Hull
- Dr. Eleanor Brown, University of York
- Dr. María Ana Chavana Villalobos, University of York
- Dr. Santiago Correa Cardona, University of Massachusetts
- Dr. Cristina Gorrostieta, Cogito
- Prof. Alejandro Quiroz, University of Essex
- Lucas Gomez Tobon, Quantil
REDNACECYT #
The National Network of Councils and State Organizations of Science and Technology, A.C., known as REDNACECYT, was established on November 23, 1998, in Guanajuato by Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas.
REDNACECYT has played a significant role in advancing science, technology, and innovation in Mexico. It serves as an organization that unites diverse entities with a shared focus on these areas. It stands out not only for fostering collaboration among entities with distinct objectives related to science, technology, and innovation, but also for actively shaping policies and their application to development in coordination with federal entities.
Initially, REDNACECYT was formed as a platform for discussing programs and initiatives that promote scientific research, technological development, and innovation at the federal level. It facilitates interactions among members and fosters coordination with academia, government, social, and business sectors to shape public policies.
In its early years, REDNACECYT concentrated on national discussions, particularly on federal and state legislation related to science and technology. Over time, it shifted its focus toward federalizing the promotion of scientific and technological activities, maintaining a continuous exchange of best practices and driving the establishment of new councils and similar bodies.
Sinceits inception, REDNACECYT has steadily grown its membership and actively engaged in a wide array of forums. This engagement spans governmental agencies, legislative and executive bodies, federal and state powers, as well as non-governmental organizations.
As REDNACECYT reaches its 20th anniversary, amid a dynamic national and global landscape, it stands as a consolidated force that brings together stakeholders in the scientific, technological, and innovation sectors.
Key REDNACECYT Partners #
The following individuals from the REDNACECYT network have been instrumental in establishing the Summer of Science collaboration with MD4SG and obtaining financial support for our students to attend EAAMO.
- Dra. Rosalba Medina Rivera
- Director of REDNACECYT
- Director of the Council of Science and Technology of the state of San Luis Potosí (COPOCYT)
- Mtro. Raúl Varela Tena
- Director of the Institute of Innovation and Competitiveness of the state of Chihuahua (I2C)
- Dr. Bernardo Jorge Almaraz Calderón
- Director of the Council of Science and Technology of the state of Mexico (COMECYT)
- Dra. Alejandra Ochoa Zarzosa
- Director of Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation of the state of Michoacán de Ocampo (ICTI)
- Dr. Victoriano Gabriel Covarrubias Salvatori
- Director of Council of Science and Technology of the state of Puebla (CONCYTEP)
- Dr. Carlos Karam Quiñones
- Director of the General Coordination for the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation of the state of Sinaloa (CONFÍE)
- Dr. Darwin Mayorga Cruz
- Director of the Council of Scientific Research and Technological Development of the state of Veracruz (COVEICYDET)