Are engineers the superheroes of our time?

In early 2020, GHD Digital brought together a diverse group of professionals to explore the future of engineering. We published their insights in a thought book, ‘Tomorrow’s thinking, today’s people’. Two years and a global pandemic later, we revisited some of the themes covered in the thought book, to see what impact COVID-19 had on their ideas. In most instances, we found that the events of the last two years made them even more relevant. 

In the thought book, noted entrepreneur and innovator Adam Jacoby contributed a thought-provoking article on the notion of engineers as superheroes. He stated that by probing into areas that entrepreneurs, industry, and government are unwilling or unable to, engineers could become the safeguard of unintended consequence, elevating the profession to ‘superhero’ status. He later reiterates his view in a podcast that followed.

Jacyl Shaw, Global Practice Director – D-Lab of GHD Digital, recently hosted a panel to discuss Adam’s unique perspective. In a discussion with GHD leaders Michele Villa, D-Lab Innovation Lead –WA of GHD Digital, Jill Hannaford, Future Communities Global Leader of GHD, and Van Tang, New Zealand Asia Pacific Executive General Manager of GHD, the panel shared their perspectives on Adam’s original concepts have been impacted by the events of the last two years and what it means moving forward. 

How a collaborative community-first approach will empower engineers 

The world united in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, a global sense of community developed, which in many cases materialised in cross-industry collaboration — driving large scale positive impact. 

Van Tang believes one of the most significant changes is a shift in focus when making decisions. Questions are now more commonly centred around how and what we can do to benefit the community. “Instead of asking ‘or’ questions, we now more frequently ask ‘and what else can we do for the community?’ This powerful trend has allowed us to move past transactional partnerships to truly transformational ones.”

Michele Villa suggests this lays the foundation for a new ‘generation of superheroes’ who can provide solutions far beyond the traditional scope of new infrastructure. “Throughout COVID-19, we have seen many global issues brought to the forefront. Suddenly, everyone was talking about issues like sustainability. People started to think more about what really matters.”

Moving forward, communities will demand welfare prioritisation, and through their advanced technical capabilities, engineers will be able to deliver on this.

Engineers have a more significant role to play in emerging areas like the circular economy. They have expertise in how to reuse and regenerate assets. But in doing so, they need to be very cognisant of the end-users and why they’re doing what they’re doing.

It is expected that the change in the relationship between organisations and their stakeholders will see the destruction of boundaries, leading to shared resources generating outcomes that are best for the community.

Jacy Shaw concludes, “Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen many wonderful stories of collaboration. For example, an unusual partnership between hospitals, gin distillers and perfume manufacturers saw a creative yet highly effective approach to hand sanitation. Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson branched out into building ventilation machines. Closer to home, we are seeing design-led innovation where engineers and architects are partnering to broaden the positive effects of infrastructure.”

Why we must strive to close the digital gap  

While the world continues to band together in the fight against COVID-19, the role of engineers to create an equal playing field across different socioeconomic demographics is undeniable. According to Adam, COVID-19 may have allowed us to break down some barriers, but it has also highlighted inequality in a variety of different ways.

Jill Hannaford has concerns about the challenges faced by countries that did not have access to technology and critical data and struggled through the pandemic. “The digital divide is critical to bring to the forefront. We've seen countries that don't have access to technology, data, and tools, emphasising the disadvantage and the disparity across the globe. It’s important to recognise that we come from a very privileged place, and we have resources and access to things that many people in the world do not have. And the decisions that are made are often disproportionate to people from countries like ours. We must emphasise the importance of addressing these disparities, encouraging engineers and leaders alike to use their superpowers to bridge the divide.”

The amplitude of these divides will likely be the biggest challenge we will face going forward. Community demands and expectations are completely different – what may be great for a region, might not always be great for a nation and the world as well.

A lack of social justice has made closing the gap between technology, education, and equal access an important, global mission.

The role of engineers as superheroes of our time 

We often think of superheroes as tangible characters who wear capes. But what does a superhero engineer look like?

Our increased reliance on technology and data means that engineers will increasingly have an important role as superheroes protecting society. “How can engineers direct the use of technology for the greater good?” asks Michele. “Take blockchain, for example. We tend to associate blockchain with cryptocurrency. But if we apply the concept to sustainability or waste management and create blockchain technology to track waste from the point of collection and track all the different passages to the final disposal – this will fix a lot of problems related to the illegal dumping of waste. Looking at what the ultimate, greater-good goal is for the community would make an engineer a true superhero in my mind.”

“If you think about superheroes, they have abilities beyond the ordinary, and those abilities have always been there for engineers and scientists. Now they are really coming to the fore as we start to see them being more prevalent in everyday life. A century ago, you might have seen what an engineer did because of the bridge you drove over or the building you were in, but now you see it in all aspects of life,” adds Jill.

Van backs this notion of prominence, describing what we have seen during the peak of COVID-19. “We have seen the prominence of doctors because of the complexity of COVID-19 and other scenarios that have played out. Our politicians have finally understood that they need to draw on the expertise and put the doctors and our health professionals up in lights. The expectation to put the engineers, the scientists, the artists, up in lights to get that view and that expertise – I think we, as communities, should actually demand that, rather than have to listen to those who are not the experts in that particular area.”

There is a sense of hesitancy towards the idea of ‘going back to normal,’ as COVID-19 has taught us to strive for empathy, human connection and innovation that leads to the greater good.  

It’s important to emphasise that we must not forget the lessons of COVID-19. We need to continue to do things differently to drive positive change. By adopting this mantra, engineers will fulfill Adam Jacoby’s original belief that they are well placed to become the superheroes of our time.