Globally Responsible Engineering

write a short email, no more than 500 words, to a friend who has asked for career advice on how engineering can contribute to a more safe and just future for all. 

Questions to ask yourself:

• What is the role of an engineer?

• What is globally responsible engineering?

• How can you do it in practice?

You are working in a team that is developing designs for a low-level offending women's prison. You have been tasked to design the toilets. There have been reports of safety issues in the toilet facilities of other prisons and that the sanitation needs of inmates have not been fully considered. To understand the experience of the people in the prison, you have been instructed to carry out a co-design session/s to ensure the new design is effective in meeting their needs.

Research various options for collecting the relevant data. Assume you have the option to meet inmates and staff in person, and the aim of this exercise is to hear their perspectives to inform design decisions. 

To help coordinate an inclusive approach to this real-word scenario please take time to answer the following questions:

• What is going to be your approach and mindset? 

• What method(s) of information collection will you use? And why?

• Who will you be engaging in the sessions or data collection?  

• What questions will you ask? 

• Who needs to be involved in design and delivery?

• At what stage of the project will you plan to run this session? 

• What other context-specific considerations should be noted

Alongside completing the reading in the resources section, consider the sample arguments in favour and against working in prisons. Then create a presentation (no more than ten slides) that proposes a path forward that finds integrative solutions to address opportunities & concerns from both sides of the argument. To understand how you would explore and analyse the context for this decision practically.  The point is not to arrive at the decision of whether or not to refuse this work, but rather to brainstorm practical ideas for how you could approach this decision and what you would ensure are key requirements of the project. 

The year is 2030 and you have been invited to provide the inaugural address at your university to 3,000 graduating engineering, humanity, and social science students. You have been invited because you have played a significant role in helping your company adopt a globally responsible approach to engineering. During the speech, you recognize the journey you have been on to get to where you are today, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the biggest challenges and successes you have faced to date.  

Write a one-page first draft of this speech which includes:

• The journey you have been on.

• The biggest challenges and successes you have faced?