AI's Visual Representation Gap: Redefining Civil Engineering Workspaces for Early-Career Women

Elizabeth Volpe; Denise Rutledge Simmons

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Conference: 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Portland, Oregon
Publication Date: June 23, 2024
Start Date: June 23, 2024
End Date: July 12, 2024
Conference Session: Engineering Leadership Development Division (LEAD) Technical Session: Engineering Leadership in Industry
Tagged Division: Engineering Leadership Development Division (LEAD)
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/46536

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Paper Authors

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Elizabeth Volpe University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0001-5755-8142

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Elizabeth Volpe, EIT, LEED-GA, is a Ph.D. candidate in the Simmons Research Lab located in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida. Her research interests include inclusive engineering, leadership, the experiences of early-career women in engineering, and improving sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within engineering education and the engineering workforce. Elizabeth received an M.S. in civil engineering and construction management and Engineering Leadership Certificate from the University of Florida and B.S. in civil engineering from Clemson University.

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Denise Rutledge Simmons P.E. University of Florida orcid.org/0000-0002-3401-2048

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Denise R. Simmons, Ph.D., PE, F.ASEE, PMP, LEED-AP is a distinguished figure in civil engineering education and workforce development. With tenure at the University of Florida's Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, she blends deep academic knowledge with hands-on industry experience. With over three decades of work experience in positions across consulting, professional engineering, and academia, Dr. Simmons has served in diverse roles, from leadership positions in for-profit entities to guiding minority-serving institutions.

As the inaugural Associate Dean for Workforce Development in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, her leadership highlights her unparalleled foresight and industry relevance. She has dedicated over a decade to engineering leadership roles in industry.

Her pioneering research, backed by $9M in federal funding and resulting in over 100 refereed articles, positions her at the nexus of civil engineering education and real-world applications. In 2023, her contributions earned her the grade of Fellow Member in the American Society for Engineering Education.

A fervent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in engineering, Dr. Simmons champions a business ethos where inclusivity aligns with profitability and societal impact. Esteemed in academia, Dr. Simmons' advisory role for numerous NSF grants underscores her reputation. Her expertise in deciphering industry challenges and tailoring solutions is unmatched, making her a sought-after consultant for academic institutions and businesses aiming to navigate the evolving engineering landscape.

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Abstract

Engineers, predominantly visual thinkers, have historically encountered engineering workspaces designed by men, for men. This trend continues, evident in the underrepresentation of women in the engineering sector. Contrary to the belief that women's departure from engineering is due to changing interests, many feel marginalized within many engineering environments.

In examining the representation in 100 AI-generated images of "engineering workplaces," 31 images included human "engineers." Disturbingly, all the depicted engineers were White males, with absolutely no representation of women. This illuminates the prevailing bias in AI interpretations, presenting engineering as a male-exclusive domain. To challenge this narrative, this study ventured to produce images inspired by descriptions from women at the onset of their engineering careers. It endeavors to explore the idea of inclusive engineering environments conceived by budding women civil engineers and to highlight strategies for creating more inclusive engineering imagery.

This initiative is a part of a broader qualitative narrative study, focusing on the stories of seven early-career women civil engineers (within their first 0-4 years professionally). Data was amassed through diverse methods, including semi-structured interviews, field observations, reflective diaries, and AI-generated illustrations of participants' dream workplaces. The research underscores the essence of inclusive engineering environments, championing the creation of participant-inspired spaces via AI visualizations. Findings reveal that these women picture their optimal engineering spaces as vibrant, lively, and cooperative havens. Alongside advocating for open-concept designs over the conventional walled cubicles, there's a unanimous call for nurturing zones featuring scenic views, rest areas, and wellness amenities like nutritious snacks and greenery. The study also suggests that with more flexibility, robust mentorship, consistent feedback, comprehensive performance reviews, and a better work-life equilibrium, early-career women engineers might find a more sustainable career path in engineering.

Emphasizing the visual elements that advocate for the inclusion of women engineers, this research has ramifications for recruiting and retaining talent, aiming to reshape engineering work environments and amplify diversity. It sheds light on the inherent bias in popular AI models and introduces AI-generated visuals of potential inclusive spaces for women engineers. The implications are far-reaching, involving all parties associated with the conception, construction, upkeep, and leadership of more inclusive engineering spaces. By adopting broader and more diverse perspectives to workplace and AI algorithm development, women engineers can more fully experience the notion that “if you can see it, you can be it".

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Format

Volpe, E., & Simmons, D. R. (2024, June), AI's Visual Representation Gap: Redefining Civil Engineering Workspaces for Early-Career Women Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://peer.asee.org/46536

TY - CPAPER
AB - Engineers, predominantly visual thinkers, have historically encountered engineering workspaces designed by men, for men. This trend continues, evident in the underrepresentation of women in the engineering sector. Contrary to the belief that women&#39;s departure from engineering is due to changing interests, many feel marginalized within many engineering environments.

In examining the representation in 100 AI-generated images of &quot;engineering workplaces,&quot; 31 images included human &quot;engineers.&quot; Disturbingly, all the depicted engineers were White males, with absolutely no representation of women. This illuminates the prevailing bias in AI interpretations, presenting engineering as a male-exclusive domain. To challenge this narrative, this study ventured to produce images inspired by descriptions from women at the onset of their engineering careers. It endeavors to explore the idea of inclusive engineering environments conceived by budding women civil engineers and to highlight strategies for creating more inclusive engineering imagery.

This initiative is a part of a broader qualitative narrative study, focusing on the stories of seven early-career women civil engineers (within their first 0-4 years professionally). Data was amassed through diverse methods, including semi-structured interviews, field observations, reflective diaries, and AI-generated illustrations of participants&#39; dream workplaces. The research underscores the essence of inclusive engineering environments, championing the creation of participant-inspired spaces via AI visualizations. Findings reveal that these women picture their optimal engineering spaces as vibrant, lively, and cooperative havens. Alongside advocating for open-concept designs over the conventional walled cubicles, there&#39;s a unanimous call for nurturing zones featuring scenic views, rest areas, and wellness amenities like nutritious snacks and greenery. The study also suggests that with more flexibility, robust mentorship, consistent feedback, comprehensive performance reviews, and a better work-life equilibrium, early-career women engineers might find a more sustainable career path in engineering.

Emphasizing the visual elements that advocate for the inclusion of women engineers, this research has ramifications for recruiting and retaining talent, aiming to reshape engineering work environments and amplify diversity. It sheds light on the inherent bias in popular AI models and introduces AI-generated visuals of potential inclusive spaces for women engineers. The implications are far-reaching, involving all parties associated with the conception, construction, upkeep, and leadership of more inclusive engineering spaces. By adopting broader and more diverse perspectives to workplace and AI algorithm development, women engineers can more fully experience the notion that “if you can see it, you can be it&quot;.

AU - Elizabeth Volpe
AU - Denise Rutledge Simmons P.E.
CY - Portland, Oregon
DA - 2024/06/23
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - AI's Visual Representation Gap: Redefining Civil Engineering Workspaces for Early-Career Women
UR - https://peer.asee.org/46536
ER -