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To address complex problems in an increasingly globalized world, engineers must understand the ethical implications of their work on society. International service learning is one approach for engineers to gain this understanding. The purpose of this study is to investigate the benefits of international service learning on engineering ethics, more specifically macro-ethics, which is defined as an understanding of their impact on society through engineering. The quantitative study measured senior engineering students' macroethics understanding from a national sample of students enrolled in capstone design courses (n=2095). Students who participated in international service learning (ISL) through capstone and volunteer/work experience possess a greater understanding of macro-ethics compared to students without these types of experiences. Gender is also a contributing factor. Female engineering students possess an understanding of macro-ethics regardless of their ISL experience. Male engineering students with ISL experience have a greater understanding of macro-ethics compared to male engineering students without ISL experience. Male engineering students make up nearly 80% of engineering programs. The integration of ISL into engineering education can help these students develop an understanding of macroethics. Another approach is to recruit more women into engineering who seem to possess an understanding of macro-ethics without participating in ISL experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the impact on students from engagement with a humanitarian engineering pathway embedded in the core of an undergraduate engineering degree. The pathway provides multiple engagements with humanitarian engineering including assignment topics, study abroad experiences and service-learning projects. A mixed-methods study over 18 months collected survey data from education initiatives concurrently with interviews with graduates at completion of their studies, to identify outcomes from student engagement. A set of seven outcome themes were identified including additional motivations for study, the development of professional skills, and an enhanced perception of employability. The research demonstrates the contribution of humanitarian engineering to the development of contemporary engineers as well as to support greater diversity and cultural change in engineering. However, challenges were identified particularly for work experience and career opportunities. The research proposes future work evaluating outcomes from multiple universities and graduates further in their careers, to develop a more complete picture of the impacts of humanitarian engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]