by Mike Lingg
Diversity in engineering is not just a matter of inclusivity; it’s a key driver of progress. Regardless of the specific product or technology, engineering is fundamentally about exchanging time and expertise for improvements—making things faster, lighter, cheaper, higher quality, and more efficient. Engineers seek improvements by building on past knowledge, learning from textbooks, lectures, and experienced colleagues. This transfer of knowledge accelerates progress beyond what could be gained through personal experience alone.
Innovation, another key driver of engineering advancement, is often perceived as the work of a lone genius. However, innovation frequently emerges from interdisciplinary knowledge and the ability to combine different fields in novel ways. Just as engineers improve their work by learning from past advancements, researchers propel progress by building on existing knowledge.
Whether applying established improvements or pioneering new solutions, engineers must continuously expand their understanding of their field. Reading about documented engineering methods is valuable, but direct interaction with other engineers is equally crucial. Learning from those with more experience allows engineers to gain insights in a fraction of the time it took their mentors to acquire them. Equally important is exposure to individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences, as these perspectives can challenge conventional thinking.
Focusing solely on learning from individuals with similar experiences can lead to confirmation bias. When engineers continuously encounter the same ideas, they may fall into the trap of believing these are the only solutions. Embracing diversity in thought is vital to breaking free from this cycle, as it encourages the questioning of assumptions and the reevaluation of methods that have long been accepted simply because “it has always been done that way.”
Avoiding confirmation bias also requires openness to differing viewpoints. In design reviews, critiques are not attacks on one’s chosen design, but opportunities to explain decisions and identify any incomplete reasoning. If an engineer struggles to justify a choice, this may indicate the need to reconsider the underlying assumptions. Similarly, being presented with different viewpoints should not be seen as a confrontation, rather as a chance to evaluate one’s own perspective and possibly discover new insights. At the same time, differing viewpoints do not necessarily invalidate each other, everyone can have a valid reason for their viewpoint based on their history. So self reflection may not change your own viewpoint, but being open to other viewpoints, and willing to critique one’s own viewpoint, can lead to finding improvements from unexpected sources. Even the simple process of articulating one’s rationale can be enlightening, regardless of whether it leads to a change in perspective.
History offers numerous examples of how diverse viewpoints have driven technological progress. It is well known that the US space program was advanced by a number of German immigrants, but there are many lesser known key figures in advancing technology. Farouk El-Baz, an Egyptian geologist, played a crucial role in training Apollo astronauts to identify geologic features on the Moon, while also shaping the Apollo program’s approach to geology. Similarly, Hidden Figures brought attention to the contributions of African American women like engineer Mary Jackson, mathematician Katherine Johnson, and computer programmer Dorothy Vaughan to the success of the space program. Other notable figures include Mark Dean, an African American inventor who co-created the IBM personal computer, and Ajay Bhatt, from India, whose inventions, including the USB, have had a profound impact on technology.
On a personal level, I’ve had the privilege of learning from exceptional professors and collaborating with engineers from around the world, including Colombia, Turkey, Bangladesh, India, Brazil, just off the top of my head. These diverse perspectives have been invaluable in shaping my approach to engineering, prompting me to determine if the processes we continue to use are truly the right direction, or if new ideas lead to reevaluation of methods.
In engineering—and in any profession—actively seeking diverse viewpoints fosters innovation and critical thinking. You never know which perspective might spark a breakthrough that no one had previously considered. Embracing diversity is not just about expanding the range of ideas; it’s about recognizing that the best solutions often arise from the intersection of different experiences, cultures, and ways of thinking.