Awareness of social impact of engineering: The task for engineering schools?

Abstract

Social groups have ambiguous understanding about science and technology; some understand it as responsible for the environmental deterioration and the voracious capitalism and others as the ones responsible for the better quality of life with the improvement of health systems, agricultural production and other accomplishments. Both perceptions are not far from the reality. In any case the impacts can be seen along the history and more recently with the sophistication of the so called "information society". This particular "information society" shows how strong can be the impact of any technology introduced in the society. Real time communication, brutal amount of information available have changed drastically how people relate, make business and study. Engineering occupies an important role in this "brave new world" and it is in fact crucial for the development of science and technology and more important it is responsible for the delivery of such technologies on the service of the betterment of humanity. This aspect may lead to the notion that engineers should be aware of the responsibility to society as they contribute to its development. It is to be aware of the impacts not only environmental but also social of the outcomes of projects. Looking closer to the formation of engineers, there is still a prevalence of good technical formation without thinking of a broader knowledge achievement. This broader achievement is not a recent idea; the French School of Engineering implemented under Napoleon governance formed the "Mr. Engineer" that prepared leaders with high profile of technical knowledge. Even after the globalization phenomenon, with all the discussions about introducing humanistic courses in engineering programs the results are humble. There is still a difficulty for engineers to address technology to solve social issues rather than to apply technology regardless social needs. The other point is that the design of a project now for the "informed society" has to take into account the social impacts as well as the environmental. So the question is the engineering school preparing the future engineer to perform in the new challenging social environment? If it is possible to suggest some actions the key is to prepare the future engineers to learn how to work close to the communities and the governments, addressing the outcomes of the projects to solve socio technological problems. © 2011 American Society for Engineering Education.