System Requirements for Viewing this Course

INSTRUCTORS:
Quincy G. Alexander, M.ASCE
Yvette E. Pearson, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE

Course Length:  1 hour

Purpose and Background

Civil engineers are charged with designing solutions for a myriad of societal challenges. Because these challenges are not "one- size-fits-all", their solutions are optimal when the planning and design processes include perspectives from a broad cross-section of designers and prospective end users. In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Board of Direction unanimously adopted Canon 8 of the ASCE Code of Ethics. Like other engineering societies' codes of ethics, Canon 8 requires fair and equal treatment of everyone and denounces discrimination and harassment in professional activities; however, it is distinguished from the others in its establishment of inclusion as an expected professional behavior. It requires civil engineers to consider the diversity of the communities they serve and to seek to include diverse perspectives in the planning and performance of their work. In this webinar, the instructors introduce Canon 8 and share strategies and resources for compliance—both in academia and in practice.

Primary Discussion Topics

• Introduction to Canon 8
• Description of guiding principles
• Examples of ethical professional conduct relating to canon 8

Learning Outcomes

• Distinguish among ASCE's and other engineering professional societies' approach to diversity-related ethics
• Articulate inclusion as a matter of ethics for civil engineers
• Recognize the importance of diversity in innovative problem solving
• Analyze example scenarios for Canon 8 applicability
• Generate ideas for including diverse perspectives in planning and design

Webinar Benefits

• Explore how other engineering societies are addressing diversity and inclusion as a matter of ethics
• Learn the intent of Canon 8
• Understand what Canon 8 is not meant to address
• Learn why inclusion is a matter of ethics
• Examine strategies for addressing inclusion in civil engineering education and real-world pratice
• Discuss the process for submitting a compliance concern and how it will be addressed

Intended Audience

• Civil engineering practitioners
• Civil engineering educators
• Engineering administrators
• Public agency engineers
• Planners

Webinar Outline

• Engineering codes of ethics that address diversity and inclusion
• IEEE
• AIChE
• Large corporations/federal government
• ASCE
• Why canon 8
• The journey to Canon 8
• Myths and misconceptions
• Canon 8 applications
• Principle 8a
• Principle 8b
• Principle 8c
• Inclusion in civil engineering
• Education and practice
• Reporting non-compliance