Showing Up: Toward Social Justice in Engineering
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Zupnik Forum, Clark Hall; Virtual option available
For More Information:
Rachael Bennett
301 405 0764
rbenn@umd.edu

The Mpact Lecture is pleased to present Dr. Donna Riley, Kamyar Haghighi Head and Professor, School of Engineering Education, Purdue University. 

Networking Reception:

• 11:00-11:30 am
• Zupnik Forum, A. James Clark Hall

Lecture Date/Time:

• 11:30 am-12:30 pm
• In-person attendees: Zupnik Forum, A. James Clark Hall
• Virtual attendees: Zoom (link provided upon registration)

Abstract:

Can we imagine an engineering community that centers social justice? What would it take to shift the profession to recognize and dismantle inequitable systems in engineering formation and practice? What pedagogies, curricula and standards of ethics would we employ? How would we shift our relationships with the communities we serve to recognize their expertise and support their empowerment? 

This event will discuss how connecting engineering and social justice requires us to collectively identify root causes of injustice in society, and the ways in which engineering – as a discipline and professional practice - may sustain or perpetuate it. This is a harrowing task, coming to terms with harms that we cannot “unsee.” As we commit to do things differently, we may find engineers need to learn a new set of skills in community building, personal transformation, and reflective action – skills that are best acquired in partnership and apprenticeship with organizations well versed in equity work. 

Bio:

Donna Riley is Kamyar Haghighi Head of the School of Engineering Education and Professor of Engineering Education at Purdue University. Her research focuses on the integration of ethics, communication, social analysis, lifelong learning, and other critical capacities for engineering professionals. She is the author of two books, Engineering and Social Justice and Engineering Thermodynamics and 21st Century Energy Problems, both published by Morgan and Claypool.  

Riley earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education.

This Event is For: Public • Campus • Clark School • All Students • Graduate • Undergraduate • Prospective Students • Faculty • Staff • Post-Docs • Alumni • Corporate • Donors