An introduction to sustainable development in the engineering curriculum

This guide is intended to stimulate thought and consideration amongst those who: as members of teaching staff, may wish to introduce EngSD into their teaching; as leaders of engineering programmes, may wish to consider the broader ethos of their curriculum. The guide looks at why and how EngSD is included in the engineering curriculum and considers embedded versus discrete approaches. It discusses approaches to teaching and learning for EngSD, including examples of EngSD within the curriculum and a ‘what next?’ section, which points the reader towards further areas of study and practice. As an introduction to EngSD within engineering programmes, this guide does not seek to prescribe courses of action but rather aims to outline the main opportunities, sources of guidance and educational resources which may enable informed debate and decision making. Both personal action and leadership are required in equal measure if graduate engineers are to meet the needs of society, even when society itself may not be taking action (Blincoe, 2009). Readers of this guide should, therefore, feel empowered toward personal action and leadership in the encouragement of their future graduates in becoming effective global engineers.