Elizabeth Hausler says it's not earthquakes themselves, but the buildings collapsing, that kill people. In this audio interview with host Sheela Sethuraman, Hausler describes how 90 percent of all deaths and injuries from earthquakes occur in developing countries, where a majority of the houses built are not prepared to withstand the devastating effect of an earthquake. Through Build Change, Hausler is developing affordable, simple, and culturally appropriate construction solutions to help prevent further injury and loss of life. Hausler is the winner of the 2008 Katherine M. Swanson Equality Award from The Tech Museum of Innovation in Silicon Valley.
Elizabeth Hausler, the founder of Build Change, was named one of the world’s “Best Emerging Social Entrepreneurs” in 2004 by Echoing Green for her plan to promote and implement affordable, disaster-resistant housing construction in less developed countries. She is a 2006 Draper Richards fellow and was a Fulbright Scholar to India in 2002-2003. Hausler has a PhD in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a skilled brick, block and stone mason and has lectured on sustainable, disaster-resistant construction in five countries.
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