Engineering Health Equity Hackathon
November 12-14, 2021
Deadline to apply: November 3, 2021 11:59 PM ET
General Questions
1. WHAT IS THE ENGINEERING HEALTH EQUITY HACKATHON?
The Engineering Health Equity event is a virtual hackathon that unfolds over two days. The event will be held November 12-14, 2021. Multi-disciplinary teams formed during the event will collaborate to learn, research and then address effects of health inequity in healthcare in the United States through a pitch competition for solutions they developed. Our goal is to connect teams to tools, resources and supporters that will foster motivated partnerships to bring solutions to life through open innovation after the event.
2. WHERE IS THE CHALLENGE TAKING PLACE?
This is a virtual event. Teams will work together throughout the two-day event using tools such as Slack, Zoom and Google Drive.
3. WHEN WILL THE CHALLENGE TAKE PLACE?
The virtual event will take place from 6pm ET Friday, November 12, 2021 through 6pm ET Sunday, November 14, 2021
4. HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO COMMIT?
The event is a 48-hour sprint beginning on Friday evening (11/12/2021) and ending on Sunday (11/14/2021) evening. Since the goal is to rapidly bring meaningful solutions to life, participants should expect to commit Friday evening, most of Saturday, and Sunday morning/early afternoon to the Challenge. Participants do not need to be available 24/7 for the duration of the event but should communicate their availability to team members. Clearly, the more time invested, the better the outcome.
5. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WEEKEND?
After the weekend, the best ideas and teams will have the opportunity to co-develop and implement their solution with the help of our event supporters.
6. WHAT DO WINNING TEAMS GET?
Winning teams may receive small monetary prizes, computing resources, organizational support and direct access to key partners to further develop, validate and implement solutions developed.
Note: We are unable to provide participation certificates.
7. WHO OWNS THE PRODUCT/SOLUTIONS TEAMS CREATE?
In an effort to expedite the development and implementation of solutions developed in this event, all products and solutions developed in this event will be open source.
Participation
1. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
We are seeking a diverse group of participants. Participants ages 14 and over of all experience levels, professional and academic backgrounds, skill sets, race/ethnicity, and gender are welcome; what matters most is your commitment to making an impact and your willingness to collaborate.
2. DO I HAVE TO HAVE A TECHNICAL OR CLINICAL BACKGROUND TO PARTICIPATE?
No! Participants of all academic and professional backgrounds are welcome! We will make sure to represent a diverse mix of skills represented in each track. Based on the problem your team chooses to tackle during the event, finding other team members within your track with appropriate backgrounds would facilitate rapid progress.
3. HOW DO I APPLY?
Please complete the application form found here. Applications are due by November 3rd at 11:59PM ET. Participants apply as individuals only. No pre-formed teams are allowed. This is to promote the spirit of collaboration and diversity in team formation.
4. HOW ARE APPLICATIONS EVALUATED?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that a diversity of life and cultural experiences, skill sets and demographics are represented among participants. You will receive an email from the organizing team with an update regarding your acceptance.
5. HOW CAN I PREPARE TO SUCCEED?
The best way to prepare is to understand the issue by empathizing with those at the receiving end of the effects of health inequity. Talk to a minority friend or colleague who either works in healthcare or has the experience of being a patient. Read about historical events leading to such disparities (e.g. the Tuskegee experiments that fostered a deep seated distrust of the healthcare system in Black communities), the effects of disproportionate care on minorities (e.g. Black mothers are much more likely to die from childbirth, COVID-19 affects Black and LatinX communities disproportionately etc.), come prepared with problems (not solutions) to pitch on the first night of the event so you can recruit other participants to form teams.
6. HOW ARE TEAMS FORMED?
We will not assign participants to a team. Participants will work together in teams of 3-5 members which will be formed impromptu, after the “problem pitching” session on November 12, 2021.
7. WHAT TOOLS/RESOURCES WILL BE PROVIDED?
Teams will be connected with technical resources, developer platforms and experienced mentors throughout the weekend to help them create, iterate, build, and develop solutions as quickly as possible.
Support
1. HOW DO I BECOME A MENTOR?
Please complete the mentor application form found here. Applications are due by November 3rd, 2021.
2. WHAT IS EXPECTED OF MENTORS?
Mentors will work with teams based on their experience and expertise. Mentors will come online to help participants on Saturday Noon ET. Mentors do not need to be available for the entire weekend. Once mentors have been accepted, they will select at the minimum, a 3 hour shift at a time that best accommodates their schedule. Mentors are free to work with as many teams as they desire and as long as they desire, including after the event.
3. HOW DOES MY ORGANIZATION/COMPANY BECOME A PARTNER?
Thank you for your interest! Please email hackingracism@mit.edu. A member of the organizing team will contact you to determine how your organization’s expertise, resources, and reach can be most effectively utilized as part of this effort.
Miscellaneous
1. WHAT IF I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED?
If you have additional questions or press inquiries, please email hackingracism@mit.edu.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
77 Massachusetts Avenue, E70-12th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139