Integrated Global STEM

Engineering and scientific interventions, especially Western interventions, in societies in the majority world, can no longer be left to the scientists and engineers coming from the west or channeling western ideals. In addressing these concerns, this volume brings new thinking, new concepts, and processes and procedures from a variety of disciplines and analytical lenses. It introduces a new development practice, from education to ideation and implementation to assessment. In the chapters, the authors, some of whom are scientists and engineers, but also anthropologists, geographers, and political scientists disentangle the socio-technical relations so that we can better understand the challenges that have befallen the global majority. The authors also integrate educational examples for how to train STEM forward professionals on how they can be agents of change, while maintaining a certain level of humility. The book offers critical and compelling insights into what is wrong with current hegemonic paradigms of development and the concepts and tools we can use to advance a different direction that promotes dignity, community self-sufficiency, and sustainability. 

• Will appeal to engineers involved in technology for society projects.
• Will be of interest to social scientists and policy makers who seek to push the limits technology in the public interest.

Africa is a booming continent with incredible growth potential and is the second-largest continent in the world. The continent is home to immense potential and abundant resources. It is also the home to some of the youngest populations in the world. The continent is not just catching up with the world; it is propelling itself to the forefront of innovation. Africa is closely watched as the next big growth market.
Technologies impact every aspect of our modern society. African economies have been held back from their full potential, but the emerging technologies could help change that. The technologies have been gaining a lot of attention from businesses, investors, educators, and governments across Africa. They are having an influence on African lives, well-being, and resilience. They have come to be perceived as a groundbreaking method that can bypass the several systemic flaws affecting the continent.
This book explores the use of emerging technologies in Africa. These technologies include artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D printing, cloud computing, nanotechnology, Internet of things, blockchain, and drones. The book is organized into ten chapters that summarize these technologies and their adoption in African nations. It is a must read for those interested in the socio-economic development of Africa.

The process of mineral extraction results in substantial damage of the topsoil, which leads to soil degradation in the form of deterioration of the soil structure, susceptibility to soil erosion, excessive leaching of nutrients, soil compaction, decrease in soil pH, accumulation of heavy metals in soil, depletion of organic matter, reduced accessibility of nutrients for plants, diminished capacity for cation exchange, the decline in microbial activity, and ultimately, a consequent decline in soil fertility. Effective management of topsoil is indispensable in the execution of a reclamation strategy, as it serves to minimize nutrient depletion and ultimately expedite the process of restoring soil health and quality.

Ghana is among the top ten gold producing countries in the world and its actions towards achieving environmental sustainability in the mining sector must be shared with the world. There are some great success stories as well as challenges in the mining sector sustainability from Ghana’s case, which are left undocumented and are limited in investigations in a scientific book. Such enviable feats chalked by some mining companies must be documented so that lessons can be borrowed for replications in restoring similar degraded mining sites elsewhere across the globe. Additionally, companies can learn from the success stories and challenges encountered in mine land reclamation and revegetation in this book.

Revegetation may present a sustainable option for the reclamation and restoration of mine soil degradation. The restoration process involves many strategies aimed at improving the quality of soil, such as augmenting the quantity of soil organic matter, enhancing nutrient availability, increasing cation exchange capacity, stimulating biological activities, and optimizing the physical qualities of the soil.

Researchers, scientists and consultants in the subject of soil pollution and remediation have conducted a great deal of study using a variety of techniques and approaches. However, a fragmented reporting of techniques and results has resulted from the documentation and dissemination of success stories, challenges and findings mostly through individual technical reports and publication in scholarly journals. This book provides an in-depth analysis of the many scientific methodologies used to identify environmental risks related to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in mining sites and revegetation as a strategy to ameliorating contaminated and degraded mining sites. The book covers application of these methods in identifying soil-human health risks and planning towards reclamation of such derelict ecosystems.

The book combines reviews of relevant literature, laboratory investigation on PTEs from representative mine-contaminated soil and spoil samples as well as appraisal of case studies on successful reclamation and revegetation of mine-degraded lands. Applications of the total element concentration method, size fractionation experiments, sequential extraction analyses, risk assessment indices, geospatial analysis, redox chemistry experiments, synchrotron radiation science, incubation experiments, and pot experimental trials in soil remediation works were documented first hand in a single piece in this book.

The book is organized into nineteen chapters, each dedicated to soil contamination caused by mining and revegetation as a sustainable solution. The initial parts of the book deal with various techniques for identifying soil-human health risks. They include some topics such as the consequences of heavy metal presence and build-up, the sources from which heavy metal pollutants originate, and the possible hazards they bring to plant, human, and soil health. The second parts begin with the concept of mining sector sustainability and explore revegetation as a strategy for reclaiming and remediating mining-contaminated lands, with the objective of restoring ecosystem functionality, improving soil characteristics, and cleaning metal-contaminated soils.

The book may serve as a valuable resource for individuals occupying various professional roles and engaging in academic pursuits, such as project officers operating within the environmental, safety, and health divisions of mining enterprises, consultants specializing in land reclamation, lecturers specializing in environmental and soil sciences, students, and individuals with a strong interest in environmental protection.

Integrated Agriculture - An Approach for Sustainable Agriculture offers a comprehensive examination of a transformative agricultural paradigm aimed at revolutionizing farming practices worldwide. This book explores the core principles and practical applications of integrated agriculture, presenting a holistic perspective that merges traditional wisdom with modern scientific advancements. The book is an indispensable resource that bridges theory and practice, offering readers a roadmap to embracing a holistic and forward-thinking approach to farming on a global scale. Through its comprehensive exploration of integrated agricultural practices, this book advocates for a sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture worldwide.With a focus on enhancing agricultural productivity, profitability, sustainability, and environmental health, this book serves as a guiding beacon for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and students invested in the future of global agriculture.

Science and technology plays a critical role, but not the only role, in realizing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. Not only must we observe the cultural context of scientific and technological interventions, we must respect and support the innovative capacity of those with different backgrounds. To help understand these concerns, this book puts forth the concept of generative justice in science and technology for development. This book presents community case studies concerning technological interventions in global health, the environment, agriculture, and their ethics.

• Discusses issues around science, technology, and development in the Global South.
• Describes the redesign of lab-inspired prototypes after field testing with project partners.
• Identifies basic science/engineering principles utilized in development solutions.