A Distinctively Christian Approach to Engineering

What does a Christian worldview contribute to the practice of engineering, and how might faith shape both the meaning and the philosophical foundations of the profession? This talk explores how a Christian approach can offer both a sense of purpose within the engineering profession and a philosophical framework for practicing engineering with integrity and depth.

Paul Griffioen is an assistant professor of engineering at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, a B.S. in electrical and computer engineering from Calvin University, and is currently pursuing an M.A. in theological studies at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has authored more than 20 journal articles and conference papers in the fields of machine learning, data-driven control, IoT security, and resilient cyber-physical systems. He is a member of the IEEE, IEEE Control Systems Society, Christian Engineering Society, Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences, Christian Scientific Society, and American Scientific Affiliation. He also serves as a director for SermonPress AI and as a board member of The Classical Academy.

Justin Vander Werff is a professor of engineering and engineering department chair at Dordt University. He has served at Dordt for eighteen years, teaching a variety of civil and mechanical engineering courses with a focus on structures, after having served for several years as a structural engineer in the Chicagoland region with a focus on structures in heavy industry. Justin completed his undergraduate engineering degree at Dordt and then a Master's degree in civil-structural engineering at Iowa State University prior to his industry work; he then went on to complete a PhD in civil-structural engineering at Iowa State. Justin has been involved with the Christian Engineering Society for almost 20 years and currently serves as president. He has written a number of papers on Christian guiding principles for engineering and Christian normative design approaches. He resides in Sioux Center, Iowa, with his wife Miranda and their five children.

The University Book Store will be onsite selling books related to this topic at the event.