In 2002, Dr. Vanderburg was recognized as one of 25 leading Canadian innovators by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. His innovation, preventive engineering, examines how technology influences human life, society and the biosphere to improve engineering design and decision-making. This achieves both the engineering results desired and simultaneously prevents or greatly reduces harmful effects. Today, he is recognized as a pioneer in this now crucial area, but he started many years ago for example, in 1994 he co-chaired the former Premier's Council of Ontario's round table on developing technological and economic strategies for the province that would permit the economy to deliver goods and services with minimal harmful effects. He has written several books and is well known for his work.