Our Events and Outreach Aim

The Engagement Team works to increase the visibility and external interactions of the TECH Center by planning and engaging in initiatives, activities, and partnerships that align with our center objectives.

1 of 7, A bright pink liquid with a white film rests in a cup next to a strawberry in one image. In the next, the white film is being pulled from the cup, clumped on a toothpick; the DNA extracted from a strawberry. This activity was completed at the Center's 2024 BE WiSE session with the Fleet Science Center

2 of 7, Three TECH Center speaker share their insights on Self-Compassion in front of the IMAX screen at the Fleet Science Center.

3 of 7, Three images of various aspects of the TECH Center Research Jamboree: one the far left, 3 individual chatting around a poster presentation, in the center, a presenter giving a lightning talk to a room of individuals, and on the right, and 2 individuals testing a VR platform

7 of 7, Ramya Rajagopalan and Caryn Rubanovich sit on stage at The Fleet Science Center presenting the 2022 December Sharp Minds Lecture

Events

Research Jamboree

The TECH Center Research Jamboree showcases presentations from our past and current Seed Grant Awardees, highlighting topics that explore the intersection of empathy and compassion and technology through different lenses, including: anti-racism and social justice, mental health, the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work, medical practice, medical education, reproductive justice, and women's health.

Our own TECH Center team members also provide updates on our latest research projects and we announce the call for proposals for our next seed grant funding cycle. Various presentation styles and formats are used to make the event dynamic and interactive, including lightning talks, a poster session, and dedicated time for networking and collaboration.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to making our inaugural 2023 Research Jamboree a success! We look forward to future events.

Collaborations

Our engagement team values our collaborative partners who help us expand and enhance our mission. Learn more about our partnerships and events that we have hosted. Want to collaborate or get involved with our team? Contact us!

Fleet Science Center

The TECH team takes a selfie in the audience of the Dec 2023 Sharp Minds presentation.

Our center staff contributes educational material for several programs at the Fleet Science Center:

BE WiSE: BE WiSE engages young female or female identifying students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning experiences in collaboration with the region's research, industry and academic institutions.
Sharp Minds: At Sharp Minds, you’ll hear from local scientists about their latest research and discoveries in a friendly, inviting environment. These lectures address hot topics on the first Monday of every month and are held in the Heikoff Giant Dome Theater. Lecture is free with a general admission ticket or a Senior Monday ticket.
Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar: Two Scientists Walk Into a Bar takes place at different bars across San Diego County, making it easier for the public to quench their thirst for knowledge and drinks all in one go. After work, participants can simply walk into a bar, meet local scientists and researchers from all types of fields, and ask them questions about intriguing topics or anything else that comes to mind.

We love promoting STEM with The Fleet and hope to expand our collaborations! Keep checking back for more exciting opportunities!

2022 Health Sciences Reproductive Justice Fall Speaker Series

Thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to making our inaugural speaker series a success. We look forward to creating future events to engage our community in conversation on timely and important topics.

Recent Center Highlights

Melissa Karnaze stands at a podium to the left of a screen that displays her research findings as an engaged audience looks on

Melissa Karnaze presents at TDSIEC Empathy and Compassion Research Day 2024

Taylor Berninger and Taylor Vaughn stand by their poster at the 2023 NSGC Annual Conference

TECH Center research spotted at 2023 National Society of Genetic Counselors Annual Conference

Deepa Manjanatha selected as a 2023 Meta Research PhD Fellowship award winner

All programs and initiatives coordinated by the Sanford Institute for Empathy and Compassion's Center for Empathy and Technology are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here. More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.