I think this program is especially unique because it combines our personal research with learning about digital tools to present our research. I think learning how to present our data makes it more accessible and a better way to spread ideas rather than writing a research paper. Research papers only reach academia, but websites and online tools reach a much wider community. People like to be able to understand something instantaneously. In today’s fast-paced world, not many take the time to read research papers when other methods of digital information are available. I believe my project will be a lot easier to visualize rather than trying to explain it in a paper and will utilize these tools well. 

My project is looking at the most economically efficient way to distribute medical resources, specifically vaccines, from first world to third world countries. I want to look at specific countries in Africa and how well vaccine distribution has gone in each country. I think there will be two parts to this. The first being how many vaccines each country can obtain and bottlenecks in that process. For example, the cost, the laws and regulations, and the inequitable distribution of vaccines between first world and third world countries. Second, how many of those vaccines were distributed and how they advertised the availability of them. I know for sure that I will look at the COVID vaccine, but other than that I still have to figure out what others I want to look at. 

Creating maps of the distribution or flow charts of supply chains will be much easier to understand than trying to conceptualize numbers written in a paper. The digital tools part of this program will let me do that. I would like to create a map that shows how many vaccines are distributed to specific countries in Africa compared to what countries need them the most. I would also perhaps like to create a map of the world that shows which countries were able to obtain the COVID vaccine, including how many vaccines they did not use, and how many countries were left without the vaccine. I would also like to make flow charts to compare how different vaccines have been distributed and how effective each has been. I think these visuals will give my readers a better understanding of the inefficiencies in these processes. 

While I am very excited to figure out the puzzle of how to distribute vaccines, I am also very excited to learn about the inequalities and inefficiencies within the distribution process. I did not initially realize the extent of the inequality in vaccine distribution. I think it is important to spread awareness not only about this, but also about all of the other medical supplies that are necessary but lacking in poorer countries. Getting medical resources to poorer countries is necessary to not only help them, but also keep the rest of the world safe.