Diversity and Technology: The Impact of Diversity on the Role of Civil and Environmental Engineers in Bridging the Digital Divide

After producing statistics illustrating the width of the divide, the authors point out that those on the wrong side of the gap are not only cut off from the benefits of science and technology but also deprived of the opportunity to learn about and perhaps pursue a career in science or engineering. It is argued that if some of these individuals could be brought into the field of civil and environmental engineering, the workforce shortages expected in the coming years could be avoided. An additional benefit to the field would be an increase in diversity, which could pay dividends in the area of creativity. Steps that could be taken by civil and environmental engineers and by local ASCE groups to bridge the divide are outlined.