Approaching Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice Education as Imperative to Engineering Curricula

Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that integrating concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into engineering education is critical to the students’ personal and professional development. When engineering students learn about EDI, it can improve their working relationships with teammates and illuminate the social impact of their work on the communities they serve. It is integral to incorporate EDI into the undergraduate engineering curriculum; however, there are several challenges and questions regarding the ideal method of implementation. Since 2019, the E-IDEA (Engineering Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Advancement) Teamwork Initiative has been developing a series of workshops focused on EDI and teamwork that are conducted directly in engineering classrooms. Using both problem-based and experiential learning approaches, these workshops teach interpersonal skills through an EDI lens, preparing students for success in diverse teams, in the workplace, and in their communities.