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Disruptive Innovation Summit, May 12-14, 2026
University of Texas at Austin, College of Engineering, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAEE).
The summit brought together engineers, innovators, and thought leaders to explore the future of the built and natural environment through disruptive thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
Denise Nelson participated in the event and was part of the final live-stream panel on the event results, findings, and recommendations. This page includes Denise's notes and photos from the event.
Welcome and Keynote Presentations
Facilitators: Jerry Buckwalter, Bob Gilbert, Manish Kumar, Kyle Davy
Speakers: Deborah Brosnan, Edgar Westerhof
Streamed live on May 12, 2026. 1 hour, 3 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/live/PIEwYATqebA?si=0O4guMf91d0xS6wh
Join us for the opening evening featuring a formal welcome and keynote presentations:
Integration is the Innovation, Deborah Brosnan
Rethinking Urban Resilience, Edgar Westerhof
Topic One: Grand Engineering Challenges to Meet Future Needs
Speakers: Alex McDowell, Craig Russell
Streamed live on May 13, 2026. 1 hour, 52 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/live/loKx4CoJcAQ?si=_ggt-Rw4h8MNVDUE
In this session, presenters Alex McDowell and Craig Russell examine the grand engineering challenges shaping the next 15 years in infrastructure and the AEC community.
Presentations:
Worldbuilding, Alex McDowell
Mechanics and Sociology of Change, Craig Russell
Workshop #1: Drivers of Change & Grand Engineering Challenges
We worked in small groups to list driving forces that are shaping current conditions in the realm of the built and natural environment.
Then we listed the Grand Engineering Challenges, looking out 15 years from the present, in the same realm.
Topic Two: Disruptive Technologies & Innovation
Speakers: Rob Mueller, Mouse McCoy, Dave Magnoni
Streamed live on May 13, 2026. 1 hr, 12 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/live/k5LmGAw16Kk?si=PLHCqf4GrJruI4Pz
This session features presenters Rob Mueller, Mouse McCoy, and Dave Magnoni as they dive into the disruptive technologies and innovations emerging today and expected to shape the next five years.
Presentations:
NASA Swamp Works, Rob Mueller
LUNAverse, Mouse McCoy
IEEE Future Directions, Dave Magnoni
Workshop #2 Part 1: Disruptive Technologies & Innovation
We worked in new small groups to brainstorm a list of disruptive technologies/innovations that have emerged in the last 5 years and/or are expected to reach maturity in the next 5 years that are likely to significantly impact the realm of the built and natural environment.
Workshop #2 Part 2: Worldbuilding: Imagining a Positive Future
Then we selected one of the Grand Engineering Challenges and developed a positive future world where the challenge was successfully addressed or resolved. We practiced storytelling to share our vision.
Topic Three: Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Action
Speakers: Mat Garver, Magi Richani
Streamed live on May 14, 2026. 1 hour, 17 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/live/9B0mdiBZPzc?si=n3uy9XR8atOBaNUw
Presenters Magi Richani and Mat Garver explore how innovation and entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to real-world engineering challenges and create meaningful value for communities and society.
Presentations:
What happens when marginal cost of Intelligence goes to ZERO? Mat Garver
My Story, Magi Richani
Workshop #3: Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Action
In new small groups, we brainstormed a list of entrepreneurial opportunities for using disruptive technologies to create value with respect to a Grand Challenge. We prototyped a practical business case for commercializing our idea and created a pitch.
Workshop #4: Major Insights & Recommendations
We convened in new small groups to develop a list of major insights and findings from our experience and learning at the summit. The groups came together to summarize the insights and prepare a list of recommendations.
Live Panel: Results, Findings, & Recommendations
Facilitators: Jerry Buckwalter, Kyle Davy
Speakers: Rob Mueller, Charlie Werth, Scott Blair, Mat Garver, Denise Nelson
Streamed live on May 14, 2026. 1 hour.
https://youtu.be/Eu9G6QQPfS0?si=0jdhfu-XuiXCl385
In this closing live panel, summit participants present their key results, findings, and recommendations from three days of deep collaboration and innovative thinking.
Networking
The rooftop lounge at the summit hotel provided the perfect venue for casual networking!
Next Steps
The summit organizers and participants are preparing a paper and other outputs from the event. They are also collaborating on additional outcomes and future activities.
References and Recommended Reading
Disruptive Innovation Summit Read Ahead
The Future of Engineering, Including Excerpts from the ASCE Future World Vision Study, Jerry Buckwalter
Storytelling Shapes the Future, Alex McDowell
Game Change for Built Environment Professionals, Part I: Growth Through Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Kyle Davy
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz (2005)
The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz (2005)
Special thanks to:
The organizers: Jerry Buckwalter, Bob Gilbert, Manish Kumar, and others;
The contributors: Kyle Davy, Dick Wade, and several engineering societies;
The speakers, facilitators, and participants.
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