Promoting ethical engineering research is necessary given the potential for widespread social and technological impacts of these research outcomes. But what motivates engineers to think and act ethically, particularly in the domain of research?  

In this interactive talk, Dr. Justin L. Hess will address this question by sharing types of critical incidents experienced by engineering faculty who conduct biomedical engineering research. The incident types denote the formative impacts of professional culture and academic norms, engaging in ethical behaviors, observing questionable behaviors, attending to novel perspectives, formal and informal training and mentoring events, and reflecting on one’s own views and experiences. By understanding what experiences inspire engineers to think and act ethically, institutions of higher education and engineering organizations will be better positioned to support ethical growth be it in formal courses, faculty research labs, organizational training efforts, or by reshaping institutional norms.