Ethical Dimensions of Engineering in the 21st Century

Includes a Live Web Event on 11/12/2025 at 2:00 PM (EST)

Overview
Speaker(s)

Experience Level: Any level of experience

This session will examine the ethical dimensions of the embedded social, economic, and cultural constructs that shape the practice of engineering. We will evaluate, through deep-dives into case studies, the diverse challenges that engineers wrestle with such as cyber-physical infrastructure security, climate change, environmental disasters, and infrastructure inequities. This session encourages participants to think globally about these challenges and will teach strategies for engaging in ethical decision making throughout your career.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Gain a basic understanding of introductory principles of ethics and moral reasoning.

2. Identify and understand ethical aspects of engineering problems, particularly within the area of cyber-physical infrastructure security, climate change, and environmental management.

3. Explain how codes of ethics relates to ethical dilemmas and member’s responsibilities.

4. Learn about ethical decision-making frameworks and how to apply these processes in technical and personal capacities as a professional engineer.

1 PDH

Pricing:

NSPE Members: FREE

Non-members: $75.00 (Join NSPE today and save on this purchase.)

To register, add this webinar to your shopping cart and check-out in the NSPE e-store.

Caitlin Grady

Associate Professor

George Washington University

Dr. Grady is an Associate Professor in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department at The George Washington University in Washington DC. Prior to joining GWU, Dr. Grady served as an Assistant Professor at The Pennsylvania State University in the Rock Ethics Institute and Department of Civil Engineering. Her academic background and research expertise spans a variety of engineering, ethics, and policy domains across food, energy, and water systems. This includes both qualitative and quantitative approaches to studying systems such as agricultural trade, the electricity grid, natural hazards, and adaptation to climate change. Prior to her academic roles, she held several federal government roles including with the House of Representatives, the Department of Energy, and the Department of State. In these roles, she worked on a myriad of issues including agriculture, water & energy, air quality, budget & appropriations, international development, and diplomatic engagement.