UVA Department of Biomedical Engineering Presents: Empathy as the Bridge between Ethics and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Engineering

UVA Department of Biomedical Engineering Presents

Speaker: Dr. Justin Hess, Assistant Professor, Purdue University

This talk will focus on ways of framing empathy, ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering education. The talk will be highly interactive and will prompt participants to consider how they collectively define these terms. The talk will include three primary parts: (1) ways of framing empathy, ethics, diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering education; (2) considering how empathy can serve as a bridge between ethics and DEI; and (3) instructional strategies for promoting empathic formation in biomedical engineering curriculums. Participants will leave this talk with a shared understanding of these phenomenon and an understanding of why promoting empathic formation is important for biomedical engineering students at the University of Virginia.

Dr. Justin L. Hess is an assistant professor in the School of Engineering Education at Purdue University. His vision is to inspire change in engineering culture to become more socially responsive, environmentally friendly, and inclusive, thereby providing opportunities for all current and prospective engineers to reach their maximum potential. Dr. Hess’s research focuses on empathy, equity, and ethics in engineering education. He received his PhD from Purdue University’s School of Engineering Education, as well as a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Purdue University’s School of Civil Engineering. He is the 2022 division chair for the ASEE Liberal Education/Engineering and Society division; deputy director of research for the National Institute of Engineering Ethics; and the editorial board chair for the Online Ethics Center.

This seminar was made possible by funds from Howard Hughes Medical Institutes STEM Learning Grant program.

Zoom link
Passcode: 755726

In-person, University of Virginia campus, MR5, Room 1041