2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Ethical Case Studies Based on Experiences of Early-Career Engineers

Presented at Civil Engineering Division (CIVIL) Technical Session - Professional Practice 1

The evolving work environment of engineering practice challenges early career civil and environmental engineers with unprecedented ethical dilemmas. This research delves into some of the challenges faced by these young professionals as they transition into and navigate the complexities of their careers. We collected information, through in-depth interviews, on the ethical dilemmas faced by young engineers and are processing the data to summarize them in case study formats. Our initial findings revealed numerous challenges. Early career engineers often struggle with balancing the demands of their supervisors while upholding ethical standards, a struggle that influences both their professional integrity and the quality of their work. A few of the ethical issues brought up by the interviewees include billable hours charged to irrelevant accounts, meeting deadlines and working overtime affecting the quality of their designs and accuracy, inclusion and support at the workplace, and overseeing projects beyond their qualifications and expertise areas.
For this paper, ethical dilemmas reported will be analyzed to develop a collection of case studies highlighting the ethical considerations and complexities involved. References and attributes to the ASCE canons of ethics and obligations of engineers will be made. Moreover, thought-provoking discussion questions will be developed for the case studies, aiming to assist engineering ethics educators. These questions will be tailored to stimulate classroom discussions, enabling faculty to prepare their students for real-world ethical challenges. By engaging students in these practical, context-specific dilemmas, educators can foster a deep understanding of the ethical nuances in engineering practice.
This paper serves as a valuable resource for civil and environmental engineering ethics education. The case studies and discussion questions will provide an enhanced platform for engineering ethics educators to enrich classroom dialogue. By engaging students in these real-life scenarios, educators can empower emerging engineers with the critical thinking skills and ethical awareness necessary to navigate the complex challenges of the engineering profession. Through equipping educators with this resource, we aim to reinforce the ethical foundation of young engineers, ensuring they are well-prepared to uphold the highest standards of integrity as they embark on their professional journeys.

Authors

Dr. Pinar Omur-Ozbek Colorado State University [biography]

Dr. Pinar Omur-Ozbek is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Colorado State University. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at Virginia Tech. Her research evolved from sensory analyses to medical and biomedical field to further study the effects of metal ions on the oral epithelial cells. During conducting sensory analyses she developed the first international odor standard to be adopted and used for Flavor Profile Analysis of drinking water.

Dr. Omur-Ozbek’s teaching interests include environmental engineering concepts, environmental chemistry, water quality analyses, ecological engineering and engineering ethics. Her research interests include drinking water quality and treatment, odorous and toxic algal blooms, impacts of toxins on crops and humans, impacts of wildfires and hydraulic fracking on surface water quality, and affected indoor air quality due to use of contaminated tap water.
Dr. Rebecca A Atadero Colorado State University [biography]

Rebecca Atadero is an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University, specializing in structural engineering. She conducts research on DEIJ in engineering and engineering education and the inspection, management and renewal of existing structures
Dr. Amir Hedayati Mehdiabadi University of New Mexico [biography]

Amir Hedayati is an Assistant Professor at Organization, Information & Learning Sciences program at College of University Libraries & Learning Sciences at University of New Mexico. He received a Ph.D. in Human Resource Development from University of Illin
Chika Winnifred Agha http://orcid.org/0009-0001-1986-4402 Colorado State University [biography]

Chika Winnifred Agha is a graduate student in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Colorado State University, working towards her master's degree. She holds a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and has acquired expertise in both Civil Engineering and Engineering Education. This unique combination of knowledge has equipped her with a distinctive set of skills. Her research interests primarily revolve around engineering education, with a specific focus on equity, ethics, diversity, and inclusion. She is particularly interested in understanding how these factors impact early career engineers and the transition process of engineering students into the engineering industry.
Carlotta Duenninger

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