Instructional Design Fellow Spotlight: Amber Seira

Amber Seira recently joined the TechChange team as an Instructional Design Fellow! She just finished a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Peru and has a very interesting background. We recently sat down with Amber to learn more about her previous experience. Welcome to the team Amber!

Q: Could you share a bit about your background before joining the TechChange team?

I’m a Fulbright Scholar in tech innovation and entrepreneurship policy. I completed my grant July 2018 in Peru. Prior to Fulbright, I was working in Washington, DC as an advisor in President Obama’s administration. I was appointed to support the president’s economic policy at the U.S. Small Business Administration.

My academic research includes government adoption of blockchain technology, postcolonial computing, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. My policy practices are both domestic and international implementation of small business and innovation programs.

My civic tech endeavors address gender and racial inclusion in the technology industry. Most recently I co-hosted three, full-day conferences at various sites in Peru encouraging young women to explore education and career opportunities in the STEAM  (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) field.

Q: What originally interested you to join TechChange?

I’m excited for their work in filling the void between people who want to do good in the world and the technologies that can make that happen.

Q: What exactly are you going to be working on at TechChange over the next few months?

My largest role will be helping to facilitate the TechChange course, Blockchain for International Development.

Q: What interests you the most about this kind of work?

The online learning platform removes the time and place-bound barriers to learning. I like the idea of guiding individuals in their desires for continuous learning.

Q: Anything you look forward to working on or learning at TechChange in the next few months?

The opportunity to engage with so many curious and enthusiastic students from around the world.

Q: Lastly, what’s something that not a lot of people know about you?

When I was a senior in high school, my friends and I had this food eating competition phase. I defended my title by eating an 8×8 at In-N-Out. That’s eight beef patties by eight cheese melts between sandwich buns. They actually don’t let you order anything more than a 4×4 these days.