Tech Stewardship
Practice Program
Bend the arc of technology
towards good.
Become a Tech Steward.
20hrs | Online | Free
Registration for Winter 2022 is closed
Now more than ever, those of us involved in the creation and application of technology need to consider the social, ethical and environmental impacts of our work. Join a growing movement of tech stewards who believe better is possible.
This program is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at a Canadian post secondary institution, and is particularly relevant for those in engineering and technology related programs.
A series of simple reflective exercises designed to overlay your experiential and work integrated learning opportunities, such as co-op, internships, practicum, or design teams.
FOUNDATION - Introduction to core concepts.
Estimated 6hrs to be completed before January 31, 2022.
PRACTICE - Integrate Tech Stewardship into your work.
Estimated 1hr per week between Feb and mid-April, 2022.
COMPLETION - Final reflection and collect micro credential.
Estimated 4hrs to be completed before May 7, 2022.
“Today’s students are highly attuned to the challenges ahead – addressing climate change, energy transitions, food security, social inequity, and more. They are looking to engineering studies as a toolkit to navigate these complex problems. Tech Stewardship adds a critical lens by which to understand their multi-dimensional nature and build a supportive network so we can meet these challenges together.”
“The creators and designers of technology have the right to interrogate the ethics of what they are developing. But our ethics only extend as far as our lines of inquiry. More responsible technology starts when we grant ourselves and each other the permission to inquire.”
“Diversity and inclusion is critical to both the means and ends of tech stewardship. To start we must combat the ‘myth of rationality’ in engineering and tech fields that has for too long created a headwind against substantive change.”
“To find regenerative paths forward, there is an opportunity to dance with different ways of knowing. Instead of choosing sides, we can enter a reflective space that welcomes a third presence where we combine insights from both.””
Free to all current undergraduate students in a Canadian post secondary institution thanks to generous support from the Government of Canada and RBC Future Launch through the Business & Higher Education Roundtable.
For future offerings including Summer 2022, see FAQ below.
The TSP program for Winter 2022 is now closed for registration . Please see Summer 2022 FAQs
The program is free, online, and approximately 20 hours over 18 weeks. It is designed as a light and flexible overlay to the existing experiential and work integrated learning opportunities offered by your school. Your practice will consist of a series of reflections, intention setting, and micro behavioural stretches. Although it is possible to complete most of these reflections individually, you will be encouraged and supported to connect with others at each step.
The program consists of a series of reflective questions that don't have right or wrong answers. Therefore, there won't be any tests. Instead we'll simply be checking that you've taken the reflection process seriously.
The micro credential is being offered by the Tech Stewardship Network in partnership with your school. While it does not count as credit towards your academic studies, it is designed to serve as a complement to your studies, setting you apart with leading employers.
A microcredential (according to the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario HEQCO) is a representation of learning, awarded for completion of a short program that is focused on a discrete set of competencies (i.e., skills, knowledge, attributes), and is sometimes related to other credentials. Read more here
Recognizing that COVID is making it harder than ever to find work opportunities, we have included an option for you to complete a series of four interviews with practicing Tech Stewards so that you can learn through their experience in lieu of integrating tech stewardship into your own work opportunity. So please feel free to go ahead and register if you're interested.
Starting in 2015, a coalition of diverse engineers, technologists and creators began meeting around the question: how can we ensure technology is beneficial for all? So far, over 350 leaders from 150 organizations have contribute deeply to shaping tech stewardship as a response, and thousands more have contributed. This program is a next step in that journey, and is being offered by the Facilitation and Academic partners who's logos are listed above.
No, the program is open to all undergraduate students in Canadian post-secondary institutions. However, it has been designed with a focus on those completing a program in a technical field like engineering, computer science, etc.
The program is not only about digital technology. It is to support anyone who's involved in the creation and application of all technology (physical, digital, biological). This includes in traditional sectors (i.e. mining) and emerging fields (i.e. crypto in finance).
Not yet - but we're working on it! This is a pilot program and our goal is to have a full French version as soon as possible. Please let us know if you're waiting for a French version and we'll let you know as soon as it's ready.
You can contact the TSP Program Manager here