At Clarkson University, mentorship often begins in the classroom but extends far beyond it. One recent example shows how collaboration between students and faculty across disciplines can lead to meaningful, real-world impact.
A new publication titled “Firefighters Hate Two Things—Change and the Way Things Are: Exploring Firefighters’ Perspectives Towards Change” grew out of a long-standing mentorship between Dr. Matthew Manierre, Associate Professor of Sociology; Dr. Michael Bazzocchi, Research Associate Professor in Aerospace Engineering; and Eric Carlson, a recent Clarkson graduate and McNair Scholar who studied engineering.
Together, the trio explored how firefighters perceive and adapt to change, uncovering cultural and practical barriers that can impact innovation and safety in the field.
Mentorship in Action
The research began when Dr. Bazzocchi and the team— Co-PIs: Dr. Natasha Banerjee, Dr. Sean Banerjee, Dr. Kevin Fite, and Dr. Marcias Martinez—were working on the early stages of an exoskeleton design to help mitigate injury, increase safety, and address challenges for career and volunteer firefighters. Recognizing the project’s social and cultural dimensions, they brought in Dr. Manierre to contribute a social science perspective. The project was part of the NSF Future of Work at the Human-Technology Frontier program, one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas for the Future.
Dr. Manierre saw the collaboration as a unique opportunity. “Though we come from different fields and speak different methodological languages, we found a lot of common ground in our shared priorities,” he said. “It was a perfect example of how teamwork and technology can come together to serve humanity.”
For Eric Carlson, who joined the project as a student, this opportunity became a defining moment in his academic journey. Introduced to the project through Clarkson’s McNair Scholars Program with Dr. Bazzocchi, Eric assisted with interviews and data analysis under the mentorship of his former UNIV190 Professor, Dr. Manierre.
“I wanted to gain experience in research and writing while understanding how engineering and social sciences can complement each other,” Eric explained. “This project helped me develop skills that I’ll carry into my future career in engineering education.”
Collaboration Beyond Disciplines
The study involved interviews with 25 firefighters from across the United States and beyond. The goal was to understand why change can be difficult to implement within the firefighting community and how to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation.
The team’s findings revealed that resistance to change is not always rooted in stubbornness but in experience, tradition, and a desire to maintain safety standards that have saved lives for decades. Their results highlighted how new technologies and ideas are best received when introduced through trusted leadership, clear communication, and respect for the culture of the profession.
These insights have implications far beyond firefighting, offering valuable lessons for industries that depend on teamwork, hierarchy, and adaptation to evolving technologies.
The Power of Mentorship
For Dr. Manierre and Dr. Bazzocchi, seeing their mentee take a leading role in the research was one of the most rewarding outcomes of the project. “Eric’s work went through several iterations, and he really grew into his own as a researcher,” Dr. Manierre said. “That growth, and the collaborative relationships built through projects like this, is what makes Clarkson such a special place.”
Even now, while serving with the Peace Corps in Peru, Eric continues to reflect on how his experience at Clarkson shaped his goals. He hopes to pursue a doctorate in Engineering Education, combining his technical knowledge with an understanding of human behavior and learning.
Mentorship as a Core Value at Clarkson
Stories like this one reflect Clarkson’s broader commitment to hands-on learning and mentorship. From faculty-led research to programs like the McNair Scholars and interdisciplinary capstone projects, Clarkson provides students with opportunities to work alongside mentors who challenge and inspire them.
Through these relationships, students not only gain professional skills but also learn how to think critically, communicate across disciplines, and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges.
Learn More
The full study, “Firefighters Hate Two Things—Change and the Way Things Are: Exploring Firefighters’ Perspectives Towards Change,” can be found here.
This study is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2128907, FW-HTP-P: Firefighter Exoskeleton for Navigation in Extreme Environments (FENIXE).
To explore how mentorship and collaboration define the Clarkson experience, visit Clarkson Graduate Education, or learn more about our McNair Scholars Program.
