This paper proposes a general framework for analyzing diversity in science, technology, and society. It identifies three essential properties of diversity: variety, balance, and disparity. A non-parametric diversity heuristic is introduced, allowing systematic exploration of diversity under various perspectives, including different conceptions of relevant attributes and contrasting weightings on diversity properties. The heuristic enables the examination of trade-offs between diversity and other factors, such as portfolio interactions. The approach offers a systematic and transparent way to analyze scientific and technological diversity in fields like conservation management, research governance, energy policy, and sustainable innovation. Diversity is a concept that appears in many disciplines, including ecology, physics, biology, information sciences, social sciences, economics, and policy. It is a key theme in science and technology policy. However, there is relatively little cross-disciplinary research on the general characterization of diversity. The paper addresses this challenge by identifying the common properties of diversity across different fields and proposing a general diversity heuristic. It also illustrates the practical application of this framework in examining relationships between diversity and other issues of interest. Diversity is of interest in many areas of science and technology, including the history, philosophy, and sociology of science, research strategy, and innovation. It is seen as a stimulus for innovation and productivity. In policy debates, diversity is cited as a way to inform more robust policy decisions. In debates over precaution and sustainability, diverse technology strategies are highlighted as a 'resource pool' providing flexibility and resilience. In energy policy, technological and fuel diversity are major focuses. However, diversity can sometimes be used as rhetoric rather than a substantive concept. It is not always a 'free lunch' and can involve trade-offs between diversity and other factors like transaction costs and accountability. The paper argues for a systematic framework to explore the implications of different perspectives on diversity. This framework should be applicable across various contexts where diversity is of interest. The paper presents a non-parametric diversity heuristic that addresses the three properties of diversity: variety, balance, and disparity. It is designed to be flexible and applicable across different fields. The heuristic allows for the exploration of different possible weightings on these properties and facilitates the articulation of diversity with other system properties. The paper also discusses the challenges of aggregating, accommodating, and articulating diversity with other properties of interest. It concludes that a general framework for understanding diversity is essential, particularly in fields where diversity is a key factor in decision-making. The framework offers a systematic and transparent way to analyze diversity in various contexts.This paper proposes a general framework for analyzing diversity in science, technology, and society. It identifies three essential properties of diversity: variety, balance, and disparity. A non-parametric diversity heuristic is introduced, allowing systematic exploration of diversity under various perspectives, including different conceptions of relevant attributes and contrasting weightings on diversity properties. The heuristic enables the examination of trade-offs between diversity and other factors, such as portfolio interactions. The approach offers a systematic and transparent way to analyze scientific and technological diversity in fields like conservation management, research governance, energy policy, and sustainable innovation. Diversity is a concept that appears in many disciplines, including ecology, physics, biology, information sciences, social sciences, economics, and policy. It is a key theme in science and technology policy. However, there is relatively little cross-disciplinary research on the general characterization of diversity. The paper addresses this challenge by identifying the common properties of diversity across different fields and proposing a general diversity heuristic. It also illustrates the practical application of this framework in examining relationships between diversity and other issues of interest. Diversity is of interest in many areas of science and technology, including the history, philosophy, and sociology of science, research strategy, and innovation. It is seen as a stimulus for innovation and productivity. In policy debates, diversity is cited as a way to inform more robust policy decisions. In debates over precaution and sustainability, diverse technology strategies are highlighted as a 'resource pool' providing flexibility and resilience. In energy policy, technological and fuel diversity are major focuses. However, diversity can sometimes be used as rhetoric rather than a substantive concept. It is not always a 'free lunch' and can involve trade-offs between diversity and other factors like transaction costs and accountability. The paper argues for a systematic framework to explore the implications of different perspectives on diversity. This framework should be applicable across various contexts where diversity is of interest. The paper presents a non-parametric diversity heuristic that addresses the three properties of diversity: variety, balance, and disparity. It is designed to be flexible and applicable across different fields. The heuristic allows for the exploration of different possible weightings on these properties and facilitates the articulation of diversity with other system properties. The paper also discusses the challenges of aggregating, accommodating, and articulating diversity with other properties of interest. It concludes that a general framework for understanding diversity is essential, particularly in fields where diversity is a key factor in decision-making. The framework offers a systematic and transparent way to analyze diversity in various contexts.