Reducing the Rate Limiting Step in Chemical Engineering Growth
Technological advances have resulted in modern marvels promising the solution of a myriad of complex global problems improving the lives of all world citizens. The emergence of chemical engineers as leaders impacting health care and environmental sustainability on a global scale has reshaped the traditional education to incorporate new technologies based on fundamental principles. We now have courses on nanotechnology, bioprocessing and sustainability as educational tracks in the CHE curriculum providing industry with a new breed of chemical engineer. While women are 50% of the world's citizens, they only make up less than 20% of the professional engineers. As Australia celebrates the "Year of Women in Engineering" one must ponder the potential impact that true CHE diversity could have on the growth of future interdisciplinary, multinational engineering collaborations. Engineers, engineering educators and engineering societies have prided themselves on solving complex, multivariable problems for hundreds of years. Somehow, however, the profession has not succeeded in applying this same problem solving skill set to the diversification of engineering. Dr. Christine S. Grant, a recipient of the 2003 National Science Foundation's Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Math, Engineering Mentoring and a recent member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Board of Directors will describe successful strategies to increase women engineers in both academia and industry. Grant will also explore the synergies in the lessons learned by Australia and the United States in the utilization of this powerful untapped talent pool.