Professional Social Responsibility in Engineering

Abstract

This chapter presents a range of viewpoints on the social responsibilities of the engineering profession. These social responsibilities of the engineering profession are in many ways synonymous with macroethics. Analysis of the engineering codes of ethics and educational requirements are used to support these arguments, and are compared with the perceptions of engineering students and working engineers. The social responsibilities of engineers include human safety and environmental protection in engineering designs. But it may extend further to include pro bono work and considerations of social justice issues. Research has found that perceptions of the professional social responsibilities of engineers vary across different countries/cultures, engineering disciplines (e.g., mechanical versus environmental engineers) and by gender. The impact of engineering education and broader college experiences on evolving notions of professional social responsibility will be described, in particular community engagement. Concerns about decreasing commitment to socially responsible engineering among college students, a so-called "culture of disengagement" will be presented, as well of the interaction of students' social goals for engineering and leaving engineering studies.

Social Justice and Education in the 21st Century

“…In 2015, women earned 40.9% of bachelor's degrees awarded in biomedical engineering, but only 13% of bachelor's degrees awarded in electrical engineering, and 13.2% in mechanical engineering (Yoder, 2018). Bielefeldt (2018) contends that engineering should not be viewed as a single homogenous profession. According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, "engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs; career guidance reviews; and work with the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of the community" (NSPE, 2020).…”

“…According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, "engineers are encouraged to participate in civic affairs; career guidance reviews; and work with the advancement of the safety, health, and well-being of the community" (NSPE, 2020). There is a consensus among engineers overall on their professional social responsibilities: human health and safety and protection of the environment (Bielefeldt, 2018). However, consensus among engineers on their professional social responsibilities differs by engineering subfield:…”

The engineering and scientific challenges of environmental justice organizations in the US: A qualitative study

“…There are organizations like the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS 2020) and the Engineers Without Borders' Community Engineering Corps (EWB-USA 2020a) with speci c interests in community and justice issues. Professional organizations have created engagement opportunities for E&Ss to work on community issues (AAAS 2020; AGU 2020) and individual scholars have made calls for greater social responsibility (Bielefeldt 2018), more community-driven research (Pandya 2014), and a new social contract for the elds of engineering and science (Lubchenco 1998;Gallopín et al 2001). These initiatives and calls appear to have brought greater recognition to the cause of engineering and science to address environmental justice challenges in communities.…”

Establishing a Field of Collaboration for Engineers, Scientists, and Community Groups: Incentives, Barriers, and Potential

“…It is not difficult to argue that there is a great need for engineers and scientists to engage with those who lack access to technical resources—scientific tools, knowledge, and skills, particularly in communities struggling for environmental justice (Ottinger, 2013; Ottinger & Cohen, 2011). There have been, in turn, numerous calls for those with expertise to acknowledge and address said technical challenges in communities (Bielefeldt, 2018; Lubchenco, 1998). Pandya (2014) suggests “closing the gap” between science and society and describes how those who participate in defining scientific questions will dictate “whether science results are pushed out from scientists or pulled into community priorities” (2014, p. 56).…”