A hackathon is a high intensity brainstorming session in which innovative solutions to complex problems are developed. In the Golden Rule model, we combine the benefits of cross-disciplinary, design thinking methods and inclusion to elicit more robust and actionable ideas for participating organizations. In a hackathon setting, students from varying colleges and universities along with academics, professionals, and people from the community come together to work on discrete challenges where bias, or the absence of divergent thinking, is a factor and technology can be applied to the solution.
Design thinking utilizes elements like empathy and experimentation to arrive at innovative solutions. By applying this to our hackathon model, it enables participants to make decisions and recommendations based on a fundamental understanding of the need and the problem.
What is the point of Design thinking Hackathons?
- Using active problem solving in a low risk environment, participants receive fresh, grounded insights and potential solutions for relevant issues
- Excellent communication/PR optics are provided for stakeholders as a result of this collaboration
- Inclusive participation is achieved with intentional marketing outreach by race, gender, discipline, and other factors to maximize diversity and the benefits of intersectionality
- Design thinking facilitation insures that all team members actively participate in the critical groundwork of understanding the people who are being impacted by the issue and defining the problem to be solved
- Extensive advance preparation is done to ensure a successful outcome. Team leaders provide initial background to hackathon constituents
- Mentors are recruited as subject matter experts, challenging the hackathon teams and contributing as needed
- If desired, clients present their issue and/or can speak on behalf of their organization
Hacking Discrimination
Spearheaded by Elaine Harris and Lisa Egbuonu-Davis in partnership with the MIT Alumni Association, aimed to find technology-based solutions to address discrimination.
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