2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Cultivating Empathy in Engineering Education: Pedagogical Pathways Toward Inclusive Practice

Presented at International Division (INTL) Poster Session

As engineering increasingly intersects with societal challenges, empathy has become an essential dimension of professional competence, enabling engineers to understand diverse human needs, collaborate across cultures, and design with social responsibility in mind. Engineering programs around the world recognize the need to foster culturally responsive, inclusive, and socially conscious professionals. However, the integration and assessment of empathy within engineering curricula remain varied and underexplored. This research study examines how undergraduate engineering programs are incorporating empathy into their courses, the pedagogical strategies they employ, and the methods used to assess empathetic mindsets among students. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzes curricular frameworks, course designs, and faculty perspectives to identify effective practices that foster empathetic engagement. Emphasis is placed on teaching approaches such as community-based projects, user-centered design, and reflective learning that connect technical problem-solving with human experience. The findings aim to advance understanding of how empathetic practices enhance students’ cultural perspectives, promote inclusivity, and prepare future engineers to exemplify compassion-driven and socially responsive engineering practices.

Authors

Dr. Rajani Muraleedharan Saginaw Valley State University [biography]

Dr. Rajani Muraleedharan is an Interim Associate Vice President and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). She earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Syracuse University. She was a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Rochester, and a research intern at Mitsubishi Electric Research Lab.

At SVSU, Dr. Muraleedharan has made significant contributions to STEM education and community engagement. She is the founder of SVSU’s GoBabyGo program, which enhances mobility for individuals with special needs through assistive technology. She is the faculty advisor for Society of Women Engineers (SWE), IEEE Student Chapter, Robotics Club as well as the Women in Engineering chair for IEEE Northeast Michigan, WIE ILS sub-committee and supports many initiatives both nationally and internationally.

An accomplished scholar, Dr. Muraleedharan has authored over 50 publications, served as an NSF reviewer, ABET program evaluator for EAC and ETAC programs and been elevated to senior IEEE member status for her professional contributions. Her research interests include computational intelligence, robotics, behavioral science for autistic children, and network security.
Dr. Lekshmi Sasidharan http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0788-6030 University of Arkansas [biography]

Lekshmi Sasidharan is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Arkansas. She is particularly focused on improving student learning through evidence‑based pedagogical practices, active learning strategies, and inclusive instructional design. Her engineering education research examines student performance and progression in gateway STEM courses, faculty perceptions of academic accommodations, and approaches to broadening participation and student success in engineering programs. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Sasidharan is actively involved in curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement efforts aligned with ABET accreditation.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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