DISTINGUISHED LECTURE: ERM - We Built a Field. But Did We Build a Future?
Special
Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)
Wed. June 24, 2026 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Westin - Providence 1, Westin
There are currently 17 registrants interested in attending
Description
Abstract: Engineering education is at a critical juncture, one influenced by rapid technological advancements, shifting institutional priorities, and a move away from its traditional, practice-based roots toward a more theory-driven scholarly community. Drawing from over two decades of experience in various institutions, I want to take you through the evolution of engineering education by examining three interconnected viewpoints: the history we’ve inherited, the current landscape we’re navigating, and the future we’re actively shaping.
I’ll start by reflecting on the early days of engineering education, when research was largely informal, theory wasn’t always a priority, and most contributions came from educators experimenting in their classrooms. From those beginnings, I’ve witnessed the field grow into a rigorous discipline where frameworks, methods, and scholarly expectations have significantly enhanced our legitimacy and impact.
As I look at the present, there’s a blend of new pressures and exciting possibilities. Institutions are demanding both deeper teaching engagement and higher research productivity. The rise of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, is changing how we synthesize knowledge, craft learning experiences, and rethink both instruction and scholarship. Instead of viewing these tensions as opposing forces, I believe we can harness them as catalysts for innovation, enabling us to develop models of faculty work, educational practices, and scholarly contributions that more accurately reflect the realities faced by today’s learners and institutions.
Looking ahead, I find myself pondering how we can maintain a healthy balance between teaching and research. What constitutes a meaningful scholarly contribution in a field focused on enhancing educational practice? Together, we can explore how to navigate the next frontier of tools, theories, and identities shaping the future of engineering education. This talk is an invitation to reflect on our shared journey and to actively reimagine and shape the future of engineering education.
Speakers
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at Dallas
Dr. Stephanie G. Adams is the 5th Dean of the Eric Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas, Dallas and Past President of the American Society of Engineering Education. Previously Dr. Adams served as the Dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology at Old Dominion University (2016–2019), Department Head and Professor of Engineering Education at Virginia Tech (2011–2016) and held faculty and administrative positions at Virginia Commonwealth University (2008–2011) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (1998–2008).
Her research interests include: Broadening Participation, Faculty and Graduate Student Development, International/Global Education, Teamwork and Team Effectiveness, and Quality Control and Management. In 2003, she received the CAREER award from the Engineering Education and Centers Division of the National Science Foundation. Dr. Adams is a leader in advancing and including all in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. She has worked with a number of colleges and universities, government agencies, and non-profit organizations on topics related to graduate education, mentoring, faculty development, and diversifying STEM.
As a member of ASEE, Dr. Adams served the Engineering Management Division as Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chair, Chair, and Past Chair. She also served as Vice Chair of the Working Group on Scholarly Educational Practice as a part of the Engineering Education for the Global Economy: Research, Innovation, and Practice project; Chair, Professional Interest Council I, and Vice President of Professional Interest Council Chairs from 2011 to 2012, President Elect, President, and Past President from 2018 to 2021. She has been a member of the DuPont Minorities Award Selection, Nominating, Awards, Fellow Membership, Risk Management, and JEE Editor Search. In 2013, she was selected as an ASEE Fellow.
Dr. Adams is an honor graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned her BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1989. In 1991, she earned a Master of Engineering degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia. She received her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1998, with a concentration in Industrial Engineering and Management.