Hunger, humanitarian crises, global warming, forced migration—these are among the most immediate challenges facing our world.
Through the Global Pressing Issues Grant program, the Nelson Institute seeks students and faculty to conduct research on these and other topics of broad public importance. Whether it is documenting the experiences of refugees in Des Moines or assessing and improving water quality in Uganda, this initiative aims to enhance Drake’s involvement in building a better future, and provide students with hands-on learning that enhances their understanding of deeply-rooted problems facing populations at home and abroad.
Exploring complementary approaches to combat global non-communicable diseases with Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences in Loni, India
Drake faculty and students will explore ways of combining Western medicine with Ayurvedic practices in treating non-communicable diseases such as chronic pain.
Drake faculty member Pramod Mahajan has led the way in developing this collaboration with Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and was recently featured on the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology website. Dr. Mahajan may be reached via email for questions related to this grant work.
Religions of Beijing book project with Drake partner university, Minzu University of China in Beijing
Professor of Religion, Tim Knepper, is leading this project in coordination with colleagues at the Minzu University of China to support student research and documentation of the diverse religious communities in Beijing. This project is a companion project o a publication Dr. Knepper and students published through Drake called Spectrum of Faith, documenting the religious communities of Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Knepper can be contacted via email for questions related to this grant work.
Assessing, Collaborating, and Empowering to Improve Water Quality in Rural Uganda
Drake students and faculty aim to conduct a needs assessment and implement appropriate interventions to improve the utilization of clean water in rural Uganda.
Transnational Des Moines: Reframing Des Moines Immigrant and Refugee Narratives through Collaborative Research with Youth
This qualitative research project will offer knowledge-production, collaboration, and change pertaining to the transnational immigrant and refugee experience in Des Moines.
Drake University's Presence in the Toledo District of Southern Belize: Maximizing Our Impact While Minimizing Our Footprint
A team of Drake faculty members and students will work with Belizean partners to assess and weigh benefits against costs, such as the local resources required to help facilitate the work, across a number of diverse programs Drake offers in the Toledo District of Southern Belize.
