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Advancing Sustainable Development: Emerging Factors and Futures for the Engineering Field

Author

Listed:
  • Grace Burleson

    (Integrative Systems + Design, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Jason Lajoie

    (Department of English Language and Literature, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

  • Christopher Mabey

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Patrick Sours

    (Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Jennifer Ventrella

    (Public and Urban Policy, New School, New York, NY 10011, USA)

  • Erin Peiffer

    (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Engineering for Change, New York, NY 10011, USA)

  • Emma Stine

    (Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Marie Stettler Kleine

    (Engineering, Design, and Society, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Laura MacDonald

    (Mortenson Center in Global Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Jesse Austin-Breneman

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Amy Javernick-Will

    (Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Amos Winter

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

  • Juan Lucena

    (Engineering, Design, and Society, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • David Knight

    (Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA)

  • Scott Daniel

    (School of Professional Practice and Leadership, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia)

  • Evan Thomas

    (Mortenson Center in Global Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80309, USA)

  • Christopher Mattson

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA)

  • Iana Aranda

    (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Engineering for Change, New York, NY 10011, USA)

Abstract

This study set out to identify emerging trends in advancing engineering for sustainable development, supporting the engineering workforce to address wicked problems, and strengthening pathways between engineering education, industry, and policy. The following question guided this work: What are the emerging factors impacting the future of global sustainability efforts within engineering, and how can these be amplified to increase the impact of engineering for sustainable development? Using an adapted Delphi method with surveys, focus groups, and member-checking interviews, we hosted the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2022 Engineering Global Development (EGD) Stakeholder Summit. The summit convened industry leaders, innovators, and academics to explore emerging factors impacting the future of global sustainability efforts in engineering. This manuscript synthesizes emerging trends and proposes recommendations for engineering, particularly in the specific focus area of engineering for sustainable development (e.g., ‘humanitarian engineering’, ‘global engineering’). Critical recommendations include the adoption of emerging cultural mindsets, which include: (1) take an interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder approach, (2) consider dynamic and interconnected systems, (3) increase humility and intercultural competence, (4) prioritize diversity and inclusion, (5) increase localization and center community perspectives, (6) challenge the perception that engineering is neutral, and (7) broaden the goals of engineering. Ultimately, this study highlights pathways forward for the broader engineering community to more effectively contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Suggested Citation

  • Grace Burleson & Jason Lajoie & Christopher Mabey & Patrick Sours & Jennifer Ventrella & Erin Peiffer & Emma Stine & Marie Stettler Kleine & Laura MacDonald & Jesse Austin-Breneman & Amy Javernick-Wil, 2023. "Advancing Sustainable Development: Emerging Factors and Futures for the Engineering Field," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-35, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:7869-:d:1144547
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul Micklethwaite, 2022. "Sustainable Design Masters: Increasing the Sustainability Literacy of Designers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Alejandro García-Jurado & José Javier Pérez-Barea & Rodrigo J. Nova, 2021. "A New Approach to Social Entrepreneurship: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, March.
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