2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

In recent months, ASEE has engaged its membership in discussions aimed at revitalizing the organization and redefining its purpose. This strategic planning initiative seeks to ensure ASEE’s continued relevance for a future where teaching in increasingly impacted by technology. A parallel debate has been taking place within the TELPhE division, serving as a microcosm of the broader dialogue within ASEE about its role and direction.

Currently, ASEE demands little of its divisions other than the production of a quota of papers for the annual conference, which grants them limited visibility. TELPhE, like other divisions however, is a community of volunteers. Activities beyond the annual conference rely on members’ voluntary efforts. Such dependence on volunteerism mandates that: 1) built-in procedures are used to maintain continuity as individuals transition in and out of roles, and 2) that volunteers find value in their activities to ensure sustained engagement.

Another similarity between ASEE and TELPhE is highlighted by Rosalind Williams’ observation of the fragmentation of knowledge in engineering. Similar to Adam Smith’s and Friedrich Hayek’s ideas on the division of labor/knowledge, ASEE’s divisions have proliferated based on emerging topics and individual interests. This fragmented structure has led to significant overlap between divisions, complicating the organization’s coherence. For example TELPhE, which was originally focused on technological literacy, received a remit in philosophy, which intersects with other divisions’ areas, such as ethics and liberal education.

The fundamental questions facing ASEE and its divisions are: is its primary function to hold an annual conference and publish journals? If so, is this enough to sustain and grow membership? Or is ASEE’s purpose to promote research in engineering education that will have a broader societal impact? These considerations also apply to TELPhE, which must determine if it is merely an internal discussion forum or if it should actively promote technological citizenship and engage in public discourse.

For both ASEE and TELPhE, the challenge lies in adapting to technological changes and evolving societal needs. As organizations grapple with these shifts, it becomes clear that adaptability—not mere strength—is key to survival and future growth. This paper explores through analysis of historical data the lessons learned from these ongoing discussions and their implications for ASEE’s strategic planning.