Roger D. Hansen: I am currently the Planning Group Chief for a Federal water resource agency in Provo, Utah. I have an undergraduate degree in history (from Brigham Young University) and graduate degrees in civil and environmental engineering (from Utah State University), plus minors is a variety of other subjects, including chemistry, economics, and french. Using this unique educational background, I write on diverse topics including: Mormonism, transhumanism, history of water development, Native American issues, organizational dynamics, and travel. I enjoy foreign adventures and have lived in, worked, and visited over 40 countries, spreadout over 5 continents. My current obsessions are his two websites, www.waterhistory.org (which is currently under reconstruction) and the site www.rogerdhansen.wordpress.com.
Inspecting the Remains of the Intake Structure for a Medieval Grist Mill Located near Murs in Southern France
My professional research interest is the modernization of water delivery systems (principally irrigation), i.e. retrofitting low-cost, solar-powered automation equipment onto existing measurement and control structures. I am also interested in the development of virtual river basins, and adding geoengineering features to watersheds and their avatars.
I volunteer with several humanitarian groups (NGOs) including:
- Engineers Without Borders (I currently sit on the board of Great Salt Lake Professional Chapter),
- SeeeMe Institute, and the
- Interethnic Health Alliance.
My volunteer work takes him regularly to the Navajo Nation and the African country of Uganda.
One of my jobs with the Federal government is Native American Affair coordinator for the Utah office. This has allowed me time to work with the Navajo residents living in southern Utah. Many, because of their isolated location, live without indoor water and power. Our office has been working to develop and install “green” technologies that provide Navajos with the amenities that the rest of us take for granted.
Resulting from my interest in technology, I joined the Mormon Transhumanist Association. As such, I’m less excited about life extension than I am about the possibilities of using technology to improve conditions in developing countries.
I write occasional op-ed pieces relating to technology, spiritual values (including religion), and futurism for the SLTrib and www.IEET.org. I remain very optimistic about the future of the humanity and the Earth (I have to, I have 11 grandchildren), but I am frustrated with the lack of realistic participation from religious groups in developing a coherent view of humanity during this era of rapidly accelerating technology.
Discussing Possible Navajo Projects with NASA Officials
So I would describe myself as an introverted agnostic Mormon with anarcho-transhumanist and environmental tendencies working as a water engineer for the Federal government. But Mormonism and the agency I work for are very top-down organizations, and I’m a strong believer in the possibilities of change coming from lower down in an organization. And you wonder why I’m crazy?
