Identifying Engineering: The Need for Better Numbers on Human and Related Resources and Policy

Abstract

Engineering and technology surrounds us and identifies the world, in terms of social, cultural and economic development and change. Yet engineering, partly because of this ubiquity, remains relatively poorly understood and identified. This chapter begins with a background discussion why engineering is as it is, with reference to engineering ethics, values and changing modes of knowledge generation, transfer and application. It continues with discussion of the need for better understanding, definition and measurement – without adequate data there is limited identification, and with limited identification there is limited interest, understanding and priority. The need for better epistemology and models of engineering, science, technology and innovation is then explored. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the need to develop of engineering studies to support this, as part of S&T studies.