Teaching Ethics to Engineers

Dr Sue Haile

University Sustainable Advisor

Senior Lecturer in CEAM

What are ethics ?

A system of moral principles or conduct . The accepted principles of right and wrong

that govern the conduct of a profession Distinguishing between acceptable and

unacceptable behaviour. But is it like morality? – can we actually teach

it?

Royal Academy of Engineering

STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

Accuracy and Rigour Honesty and Integrity Respect for Life, Law and Public good Responsible Leadership: Listening and

Informing

04/21/23

Embedding Ethics

Requirement for Institutional Accreditation of Engineering courses e.g. IChemE

Introduced in CEAM through Case studies and Guest lectures

We have a repository of case study workshops to draw upon so we can change from year to year

Integrate with Sustainable Development

IChemE Responsible Care programme

To earn public trust and confidence through a high level of HS&E performance in order to maintain the industry's licence to continue to operate safely, profitably and with due care for the interests of future generations.

Speak out programme Stakeholder dialogue

Learning from others’ mistakes

We can show students examples of ethical dilemmas.

What happened Why it happened What the impacts were What lessons are to be learnt

Case studies and External lecturers for Industry Byker – role playing Processed disposal water from an Oil rig – the

cheapest or the safest? Waste management in Gateshead ? Recycle or burn Biofuels – food versus fuel Wind farms in Northumberland

Child labour Donation or a bribe Equity in environmental standards or local limits?

Stage 1 : Ghost ships

Debate: Send them back or deal with them here

“I see now it can be really hard to make the right decision.”

Stage 2 : Koppers

Communicating risk to stakeholders

“The assignment has helped to cement some of the ideals taught within the course, such as the need for openness and transparency when interacting with company stakeholders. “

Stage 4 BP: what went wrong ?

Role playing stakeholders as if going on TV.

Company Locals Government Media Environmentalists

“I have never had to work through an exercise like this before; I found it very interesting and enjoyable.”

MSc : Company scandals

Each student talks about one issue and posts a summary on BB

Students assess types of risk and consider how the companies handled the situation and what lessons they learnt

“I see now there are others things businesses need to think about that profit! “

MEng and MSc

Each group is part of a consortium trying to develop and raise funding for a new project eg. bioethanol plant , autoclave or gasifier. Students identify the potential financial benefits, environmental impacts and societal implications and make an oral presentation. The other students role play stakeholders having been given suggestions for questions as if at a public meeting

“This exercise has increased my awareness of the lengths businesses and organisations must go to satisfy all stakeholder concerns when considering expanding or developing.”

Student feedback

“I have learnt that despite the best intentions and reasonable evidence, projects such as the one investigated can still be turned down due to the poor reputation stemming from the reprehensible activities of other, less responsible companies. “

“I have learned to listen to everyone’s ideas, as there are always things you would have never thought of and it gives a different perspective on how to go about a problem. “

Learning Outcomes

Risk Assessment : the need to identify and manage the many types of risk which include societal, financial, economic as well as environmental and H@S risk.

Supply chain auditing Effective stakeholder dialogue and communication

strategies including which media to use

Learning outcomes

Need to have Management systems, Policies and Procedures

Corporate Social Responsibility and Reporting

Relevant legislation such as Bribery Act, corporate manslaughter.

Additional skills acquired

Team working (have to agree distribution of marks)

Time management Writing Minutes Seeing someone else’s point of view

04/21/23

A New Type Engineer

Not just design& operate…..but

Understand Technical,Economic& Social issues.

Minimise Waste,Energy & Transport.

Use Sustainable Materials.

Summary

Don’t think you can “teach” it Can demonstrate through workshops and

discussion Case study material available if you would

like it