The AIIMSEI Convergence Studio
A Year-Long Mentored Innovation Experience
Purpose
The AIIMSEI Convergence Studio is the signature experiential component of the Junior Fellows Program. It is designed to cultivate the habits of mind, leadership competencies, and innovation skills necessary to address complex societal challenges at the intersection of health, sustainability, technology, and community.
Each Junior Fellow undertakes a year-long Grand Challenge experience that integrates scientific inquiry, engineering design, innovation methodologies, stakeholder engagement, ethical reflection, and societal impact assessment.
The objective is not simply to complete a research experience, but to learn how to frame and address vexing problems where meaningful contributions require the integration of multiple disciplines, perspectives, and forms of expertise.
Jr. Fellows may elect to be jointly supervised by the student’s selected institutional mentor.
Capstone Studio Structure: Discovery → Convergence → Solution → Translation → Reflection → Public Demonstration
The AIIMSEI Convergence Studio
The Guiding Question
At the beginning of the fellowship, each Fellow identifies a Grand Challenge framed as a "How Might We..." question.
Examples include:
- How might we reduce loneliness among elderly adults using digital technologies?
- How might we improve access to preventive healthcare in rural communities?
- How might wearable sensors improve athletic safety and performance?
- How might artificial intelligence improve emergency medical triage?
- How might urban communities reduce environmental health disparities?
- How might communities be effective stewards of their environment?
The Junior Fellow then develops the “experience” throughout the year under the guidance of AIIMSEI mentors and external advisors. Each Junior Fellow must explicitly address all four AIIMSEI domains—Health, Sustainability, Commerce, and Community within their experience.
Capstone Studio Structure: Discovery → Convergence → Solution → Translation → Reflection → Public Demonstration
Phase I – Discovery and Problem Framing
Months 1–2 Activities:
- Literature exploration
- Stakeholder identification
- Interviews and field observations
- Systems mapping
- Needs assessment
- Problem refinement
Deliverable: Challenge Brief
A concise document describing:
- The problem
- Why it matters
- Who is affected
- Current solutions
- Existing limitations
- Opportunity for innovation
Phase II – Convergence Mapping
Months 3-4 Activities:
- Identification of contributing disciplines
- Analysis of technological, social, economic, and policy dimensions
- Expert consultations
- Ethical and societal impact assessment
Deliverable: Convergence Map
A visual framework showing how knowledge from multiple domains contributes to understanding and solving the challenge.
Phase III – Solution Development
Months 5-7 Activities:
- Ideation workshops
- Design thinking exercises
- Concept generation
- Evaluation of alternatives
- Prototype development
Deliverable: Innovation Concept Package
Including:
- Proposed solution
- Technical rationale
- Implementation strategy
- Feasibility assessment
- Potential barriers
Phase IV – Impact and Translation
Months 8-9 Activities:
- Market and stakeholder analysis
- Sustainability evaluation
- Community impact assessment
- Translation roadmap
- Funding strategy development
Deliverable: Impact Plan
Addressing:
- Beneficiaries
- Societal impact
- Scalability
- Sustainability
- Potential funding sources
- Partnership opportunities
Phase V – Reflection and Leadership
Months 10-11 Activities:
- Professional reflection
- Leadership assessment
- Lessons learned
- Future planning
Deliverable: Leadership Reflection Essay
A personal narrative describing:
- Growth as a scholar
- Growth as a leader
- Lessons about convergence
- Future aspirations
Phase VI – The Great Connections Gathering
Months 12 Activities:
Theme: Convergence: From Integration to Impact
Each of the forgoing deliverables becomes a required component of the Fellow's Convergence Portfolio, culminating in presentation at the Great Connections Gathering (GCG), a biennial invitation-only assembly of distinguished scholars, innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and change-makers. The Great Connections Gathering serves as the public forum through which Fellows present the outcomes of their Convergence Studio experience and engage with accomplished leaders from academia, industry, government, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and philanthropy. At the Great Connections Gathering, Junior Fellows transition from learners to contributors, sharing the results of their year-long convergence challenge with an international audience. [GCG2025]
Convergence Studio Deliverables
Each Fellow produces:
- A professional convergence innovation portfolio.
- A scientific or technical poster.
- A five-minute TED-style presentation.
- A stakeholder impact statement.
- A future development roadmap.
In addition, Fellows may choose one of three capstone pathways:
Research Pathway: For experiences focused on discovery and scholarship.
Deliverable:
- Research presentation
- Conference-style abstract
- Manuscript outline
Commerce Pathway: For experiences focused on technology or product development.
Deliverable:
- Prototype
- Demonstration video
- Translation strategy
Community Impact Pathway: For experiences focused on societal implementation.
Deliverable:
- Program model
- Community engagement plan
- Impact assessment framework
Great Connections Gathering
The Great Connections Dialogue Session
Following presentations, Jr. Fellows participate in a moderated round table discussions with Gathering participants. The purpose is to expose Jr. Fellows to diverse perspectives from academia, industry, government, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. Participants challenge assumptions, identify opportunities, and provide strategic guidance for future development.
The Convergence Distinction
At the conclusion of the Great Connections Gathering, Fellows receive formal recognition as AIIMSEI Fellows and are awarded the Convergence Distinction in recognition of their successful completion of the Studio.
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