The Difference Engine at Arizona State University is a venture studio that creates practical solutions to inequality by leveraging student innovation, faculty expertise, and community leadership. We believe that communities experiencing inequality are best positioned to solve their own challenges—they just need the right support, tools, and facilitation to launch their ideas and transform the institutions that affect their lives. As a university-wide initiative housed in ASU's Office of University Affairs, we draw expertise from across ASU's academic landscape, from law and liberal arts to engineering and business.
In just three years, we've grown to engage over 55 Difference Engineers (students, faculty, and staff) who have helped several communities nationwide develop practical solutions to inequality while strengthening civic participation and public trust.
We've spent the last three years building our community centered products, services and processes in preparation for us to help you build yours. Our flagship initiatives include the:
Women's Power & Influence Index: The country's most comprehensive measure of workplace fairness, evaluating major companies on gender equity metrics.
Creative Justice Lab: A collaborative initiative where students and community members design innovative solutions to challenges like food insecurity.
Distinguished Innovation Fellows: An application-based program bringing experienced leaders together with ASU faculty to tackle complex social problems through entrepreneurial approaches.
New Policing Project: Reimagining public safety systems through direct community leadership and oversight.
