Welcome to Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the University of Waterloo
Electrical and computer engineers shape the future through innovation. They develop and improve systems that serve everyday needs of society spanning from high-voltage engineering and sustainable energy, to breakthroughs in wireless technology. Our faculty and students do everything from creating low-cost digital x-ray imagers to combat tuberculosis in developing countries, to building real-time embedded systems to advance the design and reliability of commercial products. ECE - the future is what we do.
Research
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is a dynamic and innovative hub of cutting-edge advancements in technology and engineering. Faculty members lead pioneering research in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, communications, embedded systems, and renewable energy, addressing real-world challenges and driving technological breakthroughs.
Resources
Events
Beyond the Pipeline: Fostering Equity in Our Quantum Future
Beyond the Pipeline: Fostering Equity in Our Quantum Future Kim de Laat, Assistant Professor of Organization and Human Behaviour at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, University of Waterloo
The field of quantum computing has a unique opportunity to pre-empt many of the inequities that have riddled AI and computer science. But radical technologies require new, radical solutions. In this talk, I take issue with the leaky pipeline metaphor as a way of structuring policy interventions concerning inequality in STEM fields. I outline three reasons why overreliance on the leaky pipeline metaphor is problematic: (1) it does not accurately represent the phenomenon it is meant to describe; (2) it is incomplete; and (3) it does not capture the full heterogeneity of experiences with inequality in STEM disciplines. I conclude the talk by sharing feedback from the quantum technology community concerning potential pitfalls in the pursuit of equity in quantum, and what we can do about it.
About Kim de Laat
Kim de Laat is an Assistant Professor of Organization and Human Behaviour at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, University of Waterloo. Along with her colleague Lechin Lu, she has engaged in consultations with the quantum technology community over the past several years on behalf of the National Research Council, to provide guidelines for making their quantum challenge programs more equitable.
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning September 23rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of E7, outside the C&D, from 3-5 pm for a chat and to connect.
Coffee and Conversation with the Dean
Beginning March 3rd, and continuing every Thursday through this term, Dean Mary Wells will be available on the 1st floor of E7, outside the C&D, from 3:30-4:30 pm to chat and connect.
Open to all current Faculty of Engineering students, faculty and staff, drop by for a casual conversation with Dean Wells, live and in-person.
When: Every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Where: Engineering 7, 1st floor, tables outside the C&D
No registration required, just drop by and pull up a chair. Masks and vaccines are required.
News
Electrical and computer engineering welcomes two Schulich Leaders to the fall 2023 cohort
Electrical and computer engineering is pleased to welcome two new first-year students to its cohort, through the Schulich Leader Scholarships program. Awarded annually to 100 high school students across Canada, the Schulich Leader Scholarships are granted to exceptional students who show great entrepreneurial promise in the field of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Electrical and computer engineering professor, Kerstin Dautenhahn, elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) and its Members have elected this year’s new Fellows and named the incoming class of the RSC College.
One hundred and one new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their outstanding scholarly, scientific and artistic achievement. Recognition by the RSC for career achievement is the highest honour an individual can achieve in the Arts, Social Sciences and Sciences. One of those newly elected Fellows is electrical and computer engineering professor, Kerstin Dautenhahn.
Electrical and computer engineering professor, Mahla Poudineh, awarded prestigious award for women in STEM
Electrical and computer engineering (ECE) professor, Mahla Poudineh, won an international prize for women that recognizes excellence in science, technology, engineering, math, manufacturing and design.
Poudineh, who serves as director for ECE’s IDEATION lab, is one of six recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Scholars Award for Science. All six diverse, international female recipients were selected out of a competitive global applicant pool that garnered 650 entries from 40 countries.