#BigBeacon #EngCulture Twitter chat – April 8 – Diversity in Engineering: What does it mean?

With National Engineering Month now behind us, it’s time to reflect on the benefits of diversity within engineering and technology professions, and in general.  We’ll be convening on #EngCulture and encourage you to join us!

All are welcome to the conversation: engineering students, engineering technology students, educators and professionals, and anyone who is affected by engineering (which is everyone!) the #EngCulture online event will consist of an online ‘hangout’ and a live chat on twitter.

On April 8th 2015, at 8 pm, we will kick off our introductory conversation.  Our host, Erica Lee Garcia, P.Eng. @engineeryrlife will be facilitating the conversation on:

DIVERSITY IN ENGINEERING :  What does it mean?

We’ll approach the topic of diversity from a few angles:

1. What is the current state of diversity in the engineering profession and educational systems?
2. What does diversity look like?  What types of diversity are there?
3. What are the benefits of diversity, in engineering/engtech and in general?
4. Which types of diversity are most well-represented currently?
5. Which have a longer way to go?  Why is this important?
6. How do we balance a sense of identity or belonging with the need for diversity?
7. What are some challenges as we navigate diversity?
8. What are some success stories?
9. What can we do to make our profession and our education system more diverse?

 More about the Show:

Well, why should we in engineering talk about culture?, you might ask.  Why should we care?  Culture refers to the collective, and often un-articulated ‘rules’ that we all play by.  They govern our behaviour, our decisions, and the ways we interact with each other, even when we are unaware.  If we change the culture in a given institution, company or group of people, we change the outcomes.  Though we are logical, analytical people, engineering students and engineers too are guided and influenced by culture.

Culture was named one of the most important words of 2014.  We often refer to a culture to name underlying root causes of negative phenomenon we see (culture of fear, online culture, culture of poverty, culture of misogyny), it is also often associated with positive things:  culture of safety, culture of trust or respect, culture of co-operation.

How can we understand our culture as it exists now – within our engineering schools, companies and within the minds and hearts of the members of the engineering community?  How can we understand the way our culture has created the status quo?  And, most exciting and promising of all, how can we deliberately shape it to lead to more of the outcomes we want in the future of engineering education and the engineering profession?

Look for contributions from diverse corners of the engineering community, as well as outside the community, as we explore this rich topic.  Have your say!

Please email ericaleegarcia@ewb.ca if you have an idea for a show or want to expand your thoughts beyond 140 characters.  Mark your calendar now for Wednesday, March 11th, Wednesday April 8th and Wednesday, May 13th  at 8 pm ET, and come find us on #EngCulture!

How to Twitter Chat