Engineering Change Lab - USA

The final report from the 2024 ECL-USA Engineering Ideas Institute, Engineering in a VUCA World, is now available at the link below. The report summarizes key insights from our discussion of the VUCA challenges facing the engineering community, including perspectives from a panel of engineering students; climate change and AI as wicked problems; rebuilding trust in a VUCA world of misinformation and disinformation; and the impact of the current pushback against DEI on the engineering community. Participants saw the need for action on these issues as a "mandate" for the engineering community. They saw the need to learn new ways of leading to help society face, adapt to, or dissolve these challenges. And they saw the need to have the humility regarding our leadership role, while embracing the concept that "leadership can happen in any chair in the orchestra." https://lnkd.in/g9zDKJTe Stacy Bartoletti Lauren Evans Kyle Davy Edwin Friedrichs, P.E. Tricia Hatley, PE, F.NSPE, ENV SP James Laurita Amy Squitieri Alison Wood #eclusa #future of engineering

Check out our programming plans for 2025. Our Once and Future Water Crisis Virtual Preview – April 8, 2025 In-Person Summit – May 7 & 8, 2025, Phoenix, AZ Climate change, population and economic growth, shifting settlement patterns, equity concerns, and new demands from emerging technologies are all transforming the ability of society to satisfy its needs for clean water and sanitation. This summit will explore the roles and responsibilities of the engineering community as stewards of water helping communities, states, the nation, and the world adapt to these unfolding conditions and evolving challenges. Cities and Urbanization: Challenges of the 21st Century Virtual Preview – October 7, 2025 In-Person Summit – November 5 & 6, 2025, Tampa, FL Cities are at the same time the largest technologies humans make and the most complex living systems humans occupy. This summit will take a deep dive into the promises, perils, and paradoxes of the on-going transformation of cities and urban systems in the United States and explore the necessary role that the engineering community plays as stewards, guiding and shaping that evolution for the benefit of society. See the link below for more information. Registration will be available soon. https://lnkd.in/gFhwBqVq Stacy Bartoletti Kyle Davy Lauren Evans Edwin Friedrichs, P.E. Tricia Hatley, PE, F.NSPE, ENV SP James Laurita Amy Squitieri Alison Wood #eclusa #futureofengineering

CONFERENCE SESSION SPOTLIGHT! ?? SESSION A | Stronger Together: Collaboration This session will explore how Envision encourages collaboration to enhance the sustainability of infrastructure projects. Presenters will discuss best practices and innovative solutions to minimize environmental impact, promote inclusive community engagement, support long-term economic viability, and overcome systemic industry challenges. This session will also examine how industry collaborations in the water sector have supported the use of Envision and the growth of more sustainable outcomes. *This session will be offered concurrently with Session B. Participation will satisfy one ELECTIVE hour toward ENV SP credential maintenance. ?? Featuring: Benja Stig Fagerland (University of South-Eastern Norway) Michaella Wittmann, ENV SP, LEED Fellow (EcoMend) Mike Mc Meekin (Engineering Change Lab - USA) Lauren Evans (Pinyon Environmental, Inc.) *moderated by Stephanie Printz, ENV SP (HDR) ??? Date: November 6 – 7, 2024 ?? Location: Virtual ?? Cost: Free ?? Details: https://lnkd.in/eXPfNp4U #ISIAnnualConference #RealizingtheVision #sustainableinfrastructure #sustainabledevelopment #sustainabilityleaders #envsp #envision

In his new book, Wicked Problems, Guru Madhavan of the National Academy of Engineering tells the story of Ed Link, the inventor of the flight trainer for pilots which transformed the aviation industry in the early 20th century by addressing the educational, workforce, and cultural challenges that accompanied the rapid development of aviation technologies. Link’s technological expertise and systems approach addressed a significant challenge of his time. In the 21st century, we face an even more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. The 2024 Engineering Change Lab – USA (ECL) Engineering Ideas Institute featured a deep dive into the role of the engineering community in this VUCA world.? See the link below for an overview of the Institute and stay tuned for the detailed report. https://lnkd.in/egp_BY2W Stacy Bartoletti Kyle Davy Lauren Evans Edwin Friedrichs, P.E. Tricia Hatley, PE, F.NSPE, ENV SP James Laurita Amy Squitieri Alison Wood #futureofengineering #eclusa

Mark Abbott of Engineering Change Lab Canada kicked off Day Two of the 2024 Engineering Ideas Institute with his presentation of “AI as a Wicked Problem.” Mark led an exploration of the proliferation of AI as either problem or opportunity. ECL Canada’s new AI Stewardship Practice Program will focus on shaping the landscape of AI for the benefit of all. Mark described AI stewardship as a way to shape the impact of technology on our physical and mental evolution. ?Participants then participated in a group exercise that utilized scenario thinking to imagine the future of AI. Participants formulated future scenarios related to AI’s impact on education, transportation, and health care. Insights from these scenarios included the need to give up the traditional identities tied to engineering disciplines, our ethical obligation to care for the casualties of major changes stemming from AI, the multi-disciplinary aspects of all the scenarios, and the inevitability of collateral damage. Kristen Uhlenbrock of the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science addressed the prevalence of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation in a VUCA world. To build trust in institutions, like the engineering community, Kristen highlighted the Institute’s practices of recognizing complexity, learning to disagree respectfully and define what the debate is about, and building meaningful relationships through listening. Participants reflected on this message, highlighting the need for all in the engineering community to recognize our own worldviews can shape the information we seek out and our messages to others. The final wicked problem to be examined at the institute is the recent emergence of the pushback against DEI programs and the implications of this emerging trend for the engineering community. Provocateurs Yolanda Webb of WEBB Advisory Group, Rico Thomas of Civil Technology Inc., and Bryan Dewsbury of Florida International University offered different perspectives on this issue. Yolanda challenged participants to be daring not daunted in the face of this trend. Rico cautioned against shifting to the extremes of the issue and the need to focus on effective execution of programs. Bryan discussed his teaching philosophies that have resulted in remarkable results for students from marginalized communities, encapsulating the reasons why DEI exists. We look forward to Day Three and a deep dive into what we are learning about the leadership mandate for the engineering community in a VUCA future. Stacy Bartoletti Kyle Davy Lauren Evans Tricia Hatley, PE, F.NSPE, ENV SP Edwin Friedrichs, P.E. James Laurita Amy Squitieri Alison Wood Mark Abbott, P.Eng. Kristan Uhlenbrock Yolanda Webb Rico Nelson Bryan Dewsbury #eclusa #futureofengineering

Day One of the 2024 Engineering Ideas Institute began the deep dive into the role of the engineering community in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world. Guru Madhavan of the National Academy of Engineering and author of the new book Wicked Problems kicked off the Institute. He related the story of Ed Link, the inventor of the flight trainer for pilots which transformed the aviation industry in the early 20th century by addressing the people challenge that accompanied the rapid development of aviation technologies. In the face of the rapidly changing VUCA world we face, Guru posed the question, “What is the equivalent of a Link trainer for engineering in the 21st century?” Next, a panel of engineering students from the University of Colorado Boulder offered their perspectives on the wicked problems they will confront and the role of their generation. The students cited climate change and the associated issues of water conservation, transitioning to zero emission energy systems, correcting the mistakes of the past, and the need for global changes as key challenges. They see the need for their generation to adopt inter-disciplinary approaches to wicked problems, rebuild trust in engineering, and seek purpose centered on creating a better world in their work. John Poulsen of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) kicked off the discussion of climate change as a wicked problem. He cited three examples of TNC’s success in changing agricultural practices across the globe. Their approach is people-centered – based on building relationships and trust before implementing any solutions. Their approach results in capacity building inside communities. Institute participants then discussed the macro-ethical dilemmas associated with addressing climate change. Participants brainstormed a lengthy list of potential dilemmas and then explored four of these dilemmas in detail – renewable energy adoption / land use concerns; managed retreat from vulnerable coastal areas; increased use of AI / increased power and water demands; and public good / private property rights. A key approach to these explorations was the need for the engineering community to shift away from polarized thinking about these dilemmas. Look for additional information on Days Two and Three soon. Stacy Bartoletti Kyle Davy Lauren Evans Edwin Friedrichs, P.E. Tricia Hatley, PE, F.NSPE, ENV SP Amy Squitieri James Laurita Alison Wood Guru Madhavan John Poulsen #futureofengineering #eclusa

How can the engineering community tackle the growing challenges of a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) world? Engineering Change Lab - USA invites engineers and academic and industry professionals to the 2024 Engineering Ideas Institute from September 23-25 in Boulder, Colorado to address these issues. Engineering for One Planet and The Lemelson Foundation are sponsors of this event, where attendees are encouraged to share their perspectives on the evolving role of engineers in shaping the future and tackling widespread global challenges — such as climate change, social justice, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Visit ECL-USA’s website to learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/e-XNt2eH #EngineeringforOnePlanet #sustainability #environmental #engineering #highered #EngineeringEducation #SustainableEngineering #ClimateAction #AI #Diversity #Inclusion #STEM

There’s still time to register for our Engineering Ideas Institute at the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder Sept. 23-25. Learn more about this year’s provocateurs and reserve your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gzqga2XV Join inspiring provocateurs and engineering community peers to dive into the dynamics of an emerging VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world. If you are working to drive change in your organization or just curious about the future, we invite you to attend — no membership is required.

Beyond the wicked problems of climate change and AI, the engineering community must also consider the impact of recent pushback to diversity, equity and inclusion on efforts to broaden the engineering community workforce. Join our 2024 Engineering Ideas Institute Sept. 23-25 in Boulder, Colorado, to hear from panelists with different perspectives and navigate polarities around this issue. Learn more and register today:?https://lnkd.in/gzqga2XV

Our 2024 Engineering Ideas Institute will welcome speaker Rico Nelson, the president and CEO of Civil Technology, Inc., a Denver-based, woman-owned small business enterprise in construction management. His expertise includes strategic business operations leadership and leadership development. Rico will offer his perspective, as a business leader, on the pushback against DEI and minority-owned business incentive programs. It’s not too late to join this year’s event Sept. 23-25 in Boulder, Colorado — register today at https://lnkd.in/gzqga2XV