Navigating ethical dilemmas

Ethical practice is at the core of engineering. It is not an optional extra. This course discusses the ethical requirements and explores possible dilemmas engineers may face while undertaking their professional duties and provides practical steps that can be used by the engineer to make ethical decisions.

Description

A one-day workshop that covers essential topics in engineering ethics and encouraging active participation and engagement through discussions, case studies, and practical exercises.

Topics covered in this workshop include:

  • Importance of ethics in engineering.
  • Introduction to key ethical principles and theories.
  • The role of ethics in engineering decision-making
  • Understanding the key principles outlined in the Engineering New Zealand's Code of Ethical Conduct.
  • Exploring real-world examples of ethical dilemmas faced by engineers and how they apply to the Code.
  • Overview of ethical decision-making frameworks in engineering.
  • Case studies highlighting ethical decision-making processes.

Analysis of real-world case studies related to engineering ethics.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Participants will be able to:

  • Outline and explain the importance of ethics in engineering as well as the basic principles and theories of ethical behaviours
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how the Engineering New Zealand Code of Ethical conduct applies to their day-to-day work as well as the possible consequences of not behaving ethically  
  • Apply practical tools to make informed ethical decisions in both their professional and personal life

Target audience

This course is mainly designed for all engineers, especially those with up to five years of experience or those who want a refresher to gain a cohesive overview of ethics is engineering.  It is relevant for all engineers, surveyors, planners, urban designers, landscape architects, contractors and project managers, in private or public practice.

Format

Using example projects, principles and concepts of ethics will be introduced and explained, then applied in by participants in practical hands-on activities and discussions with support from the facilitator. We will discuss common problems and dilemmas that you may encounter while during your career, and strategies and tools that can be used to assess the dilemmas to inform ethical decision making.

Presenter information

Stuart Meakins has over 25 years’ experience of working in the construction industry in both the UK and NZ and has a master’s degree from the Auckland University Law School. Stuart has been project and contracts manager for a wide range of public and private organisations and has managed a wide range of NEC, ICE and NZS 3910 contracts and has “real life” experience of the challenges of working in this environment. Stuart also co-presents Engineering New Zealand’s popular course on “Negligence and Liability for Engineers” which considers both the technical manifestations of negligence and legal liability that flows from it.

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