Blum Center for Developing Economies
News

Echolocation Technology that Empowers the Blind

Darryl Diptee, a former U.S. Navy officer, once considered himself a “closet innovator,” constrained by a culture discouraging creativity. That changed in 2018 when he began his Ph.D. in Education at UC Berkeley, an environment that encouraged thinking outside the lines and embracing innovation as a core principle.
Blum Center
September 19, 2019
1 min

Darryl Diptee used to think of himself as a “closet innovator.”

During his time as an officer for the U.S. Navy, Diptee remembers being told to “color inside the lines and innovate on your own time.” After coming to UC Berkeley in 2018 to pursue a Ph.D. in Education, Diptee found himself in an environment that required the opposite.

Related Articles

Development Engineering
News
From AI to Social Justice, MDevEng Class of 2025 Sets Sights on Global Problem Solving
Mingxi Tang, inspired by UC Berkeley's Master of Development Engineering (MDevEng) program, shifted her career path from finance to social impact. Now part of the 2025 cohort, she aims to use AI and machine learning to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
Alexa Vazquez
September 23, 2024
6 mins
Daven Northroup-Kuder (courtesy photo)
Climate Action Fellowship
Development Engineering
News
How a Berkeley alum and a Climate Action Fellowship partner fight for a sustainable future through human-centered engineering
Kevin Kung, co-founder of Takachar, began his climate innovation journey at UC Berkeley’s Blum Center through the 2015 Big Ideas Contest. Now hosting California Climate Action Fellows, Takachar helps transform agricultural waste into bioproducts, emphasizing a human-centered approach that addresses environmental challenges and supports underserved communities.
Sam Goldman
September 10, 2024
7 mins
Ross Doll
Global Poverty & Practice
News
Geographer Ross Doll Joins GPP Program
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Doll as our new lecturer for GPP 115. This course serves students all across campus, introducing them to historical and contemporary debates on addressing poverty and inequality in the world. Dr. Doll's extensive experience in the disciplines of critical development studies, political ecology, and cultural geography will bring a valuable perspective to this course.
Sam Goldman
July 8, 2024
4 mins

Host and Fellow Responsibilities

Host Organizations

  • Identify staff supervisor to manage I&E Climate Action Fellow
  • Submit fellowship description and tasks
  • Engage in the matching process
  • Mentor and advise students
  • Communicate with Berkeley program director and give feedback on the program.

Berkeley Program Director​

  • Communicate with host organizations, students, and other university departments to ensure smooth program operations

Student Fellows

  • Complete application and cohort activities
  • Communicate with staff and host organizations
  • Successfully complete assignments from host organization during summer practicum
  • Summarize and report summer experience activities post-fellowship