Last October, our Constructive Conversations series continued by bringing together three influential voices from the worlds of science, engineering, sustainability, and business. Together, they unpacked one of the key competencies outlined in the Global Responsibility Competency Compass: Technology Steward.
John Kraus, CEO of Engineers Without Borders UK, steered an insightful conversation featuring Morgan Da Silva, former Director of Operations for Yes Make and Implementation Coordinator for Piclo; Dr. Jacqueline Campbell, former train driver turned interdisciplinary scientist and Schmidt Science Fellow; and Sam Brown, Co-Founder of Consequential and a freelance business coach specialising in responsible innovation and driving systems change.
Over the course of the conversation, they delved into the evolving role of technology stewards. From the complexities of technology transfer to the delicate balancing act between purpose and profit in innovation, the panellists navigated the challenging questions confronting today’s innovators.
Watch the full discussion below.
Understanding social and cultural contexts
A pivotal theme that emerged from the conversation was the need for responsible decision-making that prioritises human behaviours and community dynamics, rather than focussing solely on the introduction of new technologies. Sam Brown emphasised,
“Our human systems, need to be understood, need to be changed, need to be influenced and need to be built, just as much as our technological systems.”
To facilitate this, community engagement emerged as a core responsiblity of technology stewards. The panelists highlighted the often-unforeseen consequences that arise when technology is introduced without meaningful consultation and a deep understanding of the communities it affects.
One such consequence is poor technology transfer, which was identified as a potential sticking point for innovators. This process, referring to the transferral of technology from creator to user, hinges on significant social factors.
Morgan Da Silva highlighted one example of how a solar energy company, aiming to empower women, missed the mark due to a lack of understanding of the local context.
The discussion underscored that successful innovation demands an approach that truly values and respects the communities it serves.
Prioritising purpose
Sam Brown further identified the tension between purpose and profit in the technology and startup space. While there is growing demand for purpose-driven companies, many existing investment models prioritise short-term returns, often at the expense of sustainability and social impact. Brown explained,
“It’s about navigating the reality of a lot of our existing systems and a lot of that does come back to profit… I think one of the really interesting spaces at the moment is finding that overlap of purpose, profit and, and change.”
The challenge lies in creating a model where purpose-driven goals are not sidelined but integrated into sustainable business practices. The panellists agreed that transparency in business practices were crucial for achieving this.
They also urged that the question of whether we should implement certain technologies is just as important as whether we can.
Shifting mindsets for Climate Solutions
The conversation also addressed the urgent need for a mindset shift when it comes to addressing climate change. Relying on a singular “silver bullet” solution is inadequate; instead, comprehensive, systemic approaches are essential. For instance, a sustainable transport system requires more than just promoting electric cars – it calls for investment in robust public transport networks and the creation of walkable cities. Jacqueline articulated,
“Thinking if we invent electric cars and get everybody to buy one that’s going to solve the climate crisis, I think it’s just kind of a little microcosm of the problem with the attitude towards how engineering might combat this. We really need to change our mindset and think, ‘What does a good future look like that’s also sustainable?'”
Incremental vs. Disruptive Change
Current innovation trends often favour disruptive change over incremental improvements. While companies like Tesla capture attention with bold technological advancements, smaller, incremental innovations can have a far-reaching impact and are often more accessible to wider audiences.
This doesn’t mean that change cannot occur at pace. Dr. Jacqueline Campbell highlighted the exciting potential of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving innovation:
“So you’re getting physicists and computer scientists together, and you’re getting biologists and chemists together, and engineers together with social scientists. And suddenly, you can make these big leaps because you’ve got so much expertise, and they didn’t realise… how much crossover there is and how much difference there is – people can teach each other.”
Conclusion
The panelists concluded that true technology stewardship is about finding the delicate balance between innovation and social responsibility.
Prioritising community engagement, respecting local contexts, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration are key to creating effective and inclusive technological solutions. Innovators must feel confident to continually ask why they are pursuing innovation, ensuring their solutions serve a purpose beyond profit margins.
As we continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change and societal inequities, a holistic and responsible approach to technology development is not just desirable – it is essential for sustainable progress.
This conversation was hosted as part of a 12-month campaign exploring the 12 competencies of globally responsible engineering identified in our Competency Compass. Each month, you can expect thought leadership content, ranging from panel discussions to video interviews to articles, focussed on one of the 12 competencies. Sign up to our newsletter to ensure you don’t miss anything!
