Developing Engineer Systems Competencies with a Nexus of Engineering, Law, and Policy

Sandra Allain; Robert J. Rabb

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Conference: 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Baltimore , Maryland
Publication Date: June 25, 2023
Start Date: June 25, 2023
End Date: June 28, 2023
Conference Session: Graduate Studies Division (GSD) Technical Session 7: Developing Graduate Students' Competencies and Identities
Tagged Division: Graduate Studies Division (GSD)
Page Count: 11
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--43075
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/43075
Download Count: 94

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Paper Authors

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Sandra Allain Pennsylvania State University

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Professor of Practice in the School of Engineering Design and Innovation in the College of Engineering at Penn State, Lecturer in Law at Penn State Law, and an affiliate of the School of International Affairs and the Sustainability Institute at Penn State. Inaugural Director of the Law, Policy, and Engineering initiative - LPE, and the Design, Justice, and Sustainable Development Lab - DJSD. Over 15 years experience as a practicing attorney in intellectual property and technology transfer in both private practice and as in-house counsel, including in the Office of University Counsel at the University of Illinois. Passionate about education, sustainability, access to justice, equity, diversity, and social justice. Worked in higher education since 2007 in various roles including in-house counsel, tech transfer and innovation, global programs, international partnerships and business development. Research interests include innovation ecosystems, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, public interest technology, community engagement for technology adoption, legal design, legaltech, civic tech, Edtech, Virtual Reality and participatory policy-making.
LL.B. Law Degree Universidad del Rosario, Colombia; M.Ed. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Illinois Board of Admissions to the Bar - License inactive Illinois Supreme Court

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Robert J. Rabb P.E. Pennsylvania State University

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Robert Rabb is the associate dean for education in the College of Engineering at Penn State. He previously served as a professor and the Mechanical Engineering Department Chair at The Citadel. He previously taught mechanical engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the United Military Academy and his M.S.E. and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. His research and teaching interests are in mechatronics, regenerative power, and multidisciplinary engineering.

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Abstract

The scope and expectations of the engineering profession are changing swiftly to keep pace with technological and social advancements. Economic and global issues, innovations, expansion of discipline boundaries, and increased professional responsibilities are transforming what engineers do, especially as they progress in their careers. Contemporary engineering challenges and solutions are often multi‐disciplinary in nature and require systems thinking in problem formulation and results. The need is apparent for engineers with strong technical knowledge, who can think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, and work in teams. However, the very nature of engineering, as defined by different organizations, points to the coupling of the engineering profession with society. “Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind” [1]. With full undergraduate curricula to meet these technical and early professional competencies, engineers progressing in their careers as executives, analysts, consultants, and advisers will need graduate education to meet increased professional responsibilities. Specifically, these include increased technical, policy and regulatory skills; expanded professional skills; the ability to identify opportunities for improvement; and the ability to work effectively in a globally connected and interdisciplinary work environment. To address the increasing demand for engineering professionals to have advanced education, [The Institution] developed new Master of Engineering degree to prepare STEM professionals who are versed in policy and law systems and the way emerging technologies interact with and enter these systems. The Master of Engineering degree in engineering, law, and policy (MELP) will enhance the key attributes of an engineer: solidly grounded, technically broad, globally minded, ethical, innovative, excellent collaborators, and visionary leaders that excel at delivering impact with social consciousness.

This paper discusses the development of the MELP residential program aimed to provide graduates with a competitive advantage when seeking employment at the nexus of science and technology policy, policy analysis, complex systems design, and regulatory compliance within an engineering systems framework. Qualitative student feedback is also discussed, showing the positive impact of the new MELP courses developed.

Citation
Format

Allain, S., & Rabb, R. J. (2023, June), Developing Engineer Systems Competencies with a Nexus of Engineering, Law, and Policy Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43075

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - The scope and expectations of the engineering profession are changing swiftly to keep pace with technological and social advancements. Economic and global issues, innovations, expansion of discipline boundaries, and increased professional responsibilities are transforming what engineers do, especially as they progress in their careers. Contemporary engineering challenges and solutions are often multi‐disciplinary in nature and require systems thinking in problem formulation and results. The need is apparent for engineers with strong technical knowledge, who can think creatively and critically, communicate effectively, and work in teams. However, the very nature of engineering, as defined by different organizations, points to the coupling of the engineering profession with society. “Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of mankind” [1]. With full undergraduate curricula to meet these technical and early professional competencies, engineers progressing in their careers as executives, analysts, consultants, and advisers will need graduate education to meet increased professional responsibilities. Specifically, these include increased technical, policy and regulatory skills; expanded professional skills; the ability to identify opportunities for improvement; and the ability to work effectively in a globally connected and interdisciplinary work environment. To address the increasing demand for engineering professionals to have advanced education, [The Institution] developed new Master of Engineering degree to prepare STEM professionals who are versed in policy and law systems and the way emerging technologies interact with and enter these systems. The Master of Engineering degree in engineering, law, and policy (MELP) will enhance the key attributes of an engineer: solidly grounded, technically broad, globally minded, ethical, innovative, excellent collaborators, and visionary leaders that excel at delivering impact with social consciousness.

This paper discusses the development of the MELP residential program aimed to provide graduates with a competitive advantage when seeking employment at the nexus of science and technology policy, policy analysis, complex systems design, and regulatory compliance within an engineering systems framework. Qualitative student feedback is also discussed, showing the positive impact of the new MELP courses developed.

AU  - Sandra Allain
AU  - Robert J. Rabb P.E.
CY  - Baltimore , Maryland
DA  - 2023/06/25
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Developing Engineer Systems Competencies with a Nexus of Engineering, Law, and Policy
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/43075
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--43075
ER  -