Engineering for Social Change

Is technology reaching all of the 7.4 billion people in our world? Is it too complex and expensive? Should we move from a focus on developing ever-higher technology solutions for the rich in developed countries to balancing that with greater development of low complexity and low cost solutions for the world’s poor? How will we deal with the fallout of unintended consequences of past engineering successes? Can we continue to ship electronic waste internationally, bury trash in endless landfills, and use materials and labor in countries with lax laws that result in environmental and social damage? How will robotics, artificial intelligence and climate change impact our future health and economic well-being? These are some of the issues and questions the new book Engineering for Social Change brings to light. The book endeavors to inform the reader of the societal challenges we face, and illustrates the role that engineering skills and knowledge have in creating positive social change in our globally interconnected landscape. While businesses are now looking to move beyond simple corporate responsibility to address large-scale social problems and build profits at the same time, the question how effective are we in preparing our future engineers? It appears we are not! The book discusses a unique course where engineering education is providing the right type of opportunities to learn, experience, and create the engineer of the future.