Fred Kan Distinguished Lecture In Engineering Ethics 2026

Promoting ethical engineering research is necessary given the potential for widespread social and technological impacts of engineering research outcomes. But what motivates engineers to think and act ethically, particularly in the domain of research? In this interactive talk, Dr. Justin L. Hess will address this question by sharing types of critical incidents experienced by engineering faculty who conduct biomedical engineering research. The incident types denote the formative impacts of professional culture and academic norms, engaging in ethical behaviors, observing questionable behaviors, attending to novel perspectives, formal and informal training and mentoring events, and reflecting on one’s own views and experiences. By understanding what experiences inspire engineers to think and act ethically, institutions of higher education and engineering organizations will be better positioned to support ethical growth be it in formal courses, faculty research labs, organizational training efforts, or by reshaping institutional norms. 

About the Speaker:

Dr. Justin L. Hess is an associate professor in the School of Engineering Education, where he also co-directs the Multidisciplinary Engineering and Interdisciplinary Engineering Studies undergraduate programs. Dr. Hess’s research explores how engineers develop ethical and empathic dispositions. He received his PhD in Engineering Education from Purdue University in 2015, and his BS/MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue in 2011 and 2015, respectively. He served as the assistant director of the STEM Education Research Institute at Purdue University for four years (2015-2019) before returning to Purdue as a tenure-track faculty member in 2019.