Sustainable Subsea Networks: Metrics for Data Center Sustainability
Nicole Starosielski, Professor
Film Studies
Closed. This professor is continuing with Fall 2024 apprentices on this project; no new apprentices needed for Spring 2025.
The project, called Sustainable Subsea Networks (https://sustainablesubseanetworks.com/), investigates the sustainability of subsea cables—the backbone of global digital networks that carry over 99% of transoceanic internet traffic (satellite is responsible for less than 1%). There are currently no industry-wide metrics for assessing the sustainability of the cable system. Our research enhances the sustainability of the Internet by exploring the histories, contemporary uses, and effects of these metrics, aiming to produce our own guide to making this part of the Internet's infrastructure greener. For this track, we are looking for students interested in helping analyze the survey data from infrastructure companies we are working with. We welcome humanities, social sciences, and science researchers to our interdisciplinary team. Media and arts researchers interested in developing visual media about internet infrastructure are also welcome. Students participating in the project for more than a semester will likely have opportunities to publish in collaboration with our team.
“This project will help you realize your potential, explore your curiosities, and develop invaluable research skills. In this position, you will be expected to learn about a complex industry, gain a deep understanding of how the internet functions, and dive deep into the metrics that attempt to measure sustainability in the elaborate infrastructure of data centers. Learning alongside the brilliant minds in our team has been a highly rewarding and enlightening academic experience, and I cannot recommend it enough.” - Ella Herbert, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Role: In this position, you can expect to:
1. Gain an in-depth understanding of the data center industry and its environmental impact, including subsea networks and the broader internet infrastructure globally.
2. Develop skills in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, focusing on sustainability metrics within the data center industry and their potential use across other industries.
3. Learn to conduct comprehensive literature reviews, synthesize academic and industry research, and gather real-world examples from the digital infrastructure sector.
4. Acquire experience in writing and visual communication for disseminating research findings, and creating engaging visual representations of complex data.
5. Enhance collaborative research skills, working within an interdisciplinary team across geographic locations and institutions, and hone independent working abilities, including project initiative and follow-through.
Potential weekly tasks could include:
1. Data Collection and Analysis of Metrics: Helping team members gather data on sustainability metrics from data centers, involving both quantitative and qualitative research, industry reports, and interviews or surveys with industry stakeholders (including other infrastructure sectors such as energy). This will also include assisting the team with data analysis of existing survey data of infrastructures such as Cable Landing Stations (CLS).
2. Literature Review of Broader Digital Infrastructure Sector: Gathering relevant materials for literature review, synthesizing academic and industry research, and collecting real-world examples from stakeholders (e.g., best industry practices, failed examples, noteworthy policy frameworks, or international agreements).
3. Writing and Visual Dissemination: Providing editorial support for blog posts, articles, or other dissemination materials to share research findings with a wider audience. Brainstorming and developing graphical representations of metrics, including charts, graphs, maps, and other visuals to represent complex information in a user-friendly and engaging way. Developing interactive data visualizations or infographics for the SSN website or academic conferences.
6. Hone critical thinking skills by investigating industry trends and academic resources in metrics to draw significant conclusions that enhance sustainability in the subsea industry.
Qualifications: We seek a passionate undergraduate student to assist in compiling, analyzing, and reporting relevant metrics within the data center industry globally. Ideal candidates should be highly interested in technology and sustainability issues, particularly in infrastructures and their connection to policy, economic development, industry activities, and the broader natural environment. Candidates should effectively collaborate with researchers, including professors, graduate students, industry stakeholders, and other associations, and work both independently and diligently. Adaptability, learning from the varied expertise of team members, and contributing unique insights to the project are essential. If you have a passion for technology and social change, curiosity about a global-spanning industry, and a commitment to making internet infrastructures more sustainable, we would love to hear from you.
Required Qualifications:
- Undergraduates with a background in any social science or humanities discipline, such as media studies and communication, STS, geography, economics, or sociology, as well as STEM areas such as environmental science and engineering, are welcome to apply.
- Preference is given to students who enjoy learning through a mix of qualitative and quantitative research approaches.
- Keen interest in researching technology and the natural environment and commitment to driving change toward more sustainable practices.
- Ability to work independently, collaborate with a geographically dispersed team beyond Berkeley, and be proactive in completing project activities.
Other Skills:
- Practical experience or knowledge in data analysis is desirable, including proficiency in coding, familiarity with R or Python, or any design skills that could assist in the visualization aspects of the project, such as producing maps, flow charts, graphs, etc.
Diversity:
We strongly encourage undergraduates passionate about technology and sustainability, even if they have not yet had any research experience, to apply. We are dedicated to increasing the participation of minority students in the field, so first-generation college students or members of minority groups are particularly welcome. Our team is committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of our research and providing mentorship to interested students.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Iago Bojczuk, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Off-Campus Research Site: This job can be done remotely, and under flexible hours. Travel to conferences and field sites may also be available.
Related website: http://sustainablesubseanetworks.com
Arts & Humanities Social Sciences Engineering, Design & Technologies Environmental Issues