Integrating Responsible Innovation into Engineering Education: Insights from Scenario Leads at UCL's Integrated Engineering Programme

This paper explores the integration of responsible innovation into engineering education through a case study of UCL's Integrated Engineering Programme. Focusing on the Design and Professional Skills (DPS) modules, which includes scenarios designed to simulate real-world engineering challenges, the study investigates the perspectives of scenario leads on incorporating topics related to responsible innovation, such as ethics, sustainability, risk management, and inclusivity. Drawing on interviews with scenario leads, the paper identifies challenges and successes in integrating responsible innovation into DPS scenarios, including time constraints, disciplinary-specific contextualization, and means of assessment. Despite these challenges, certain success stories highlight the potential for meaningful integration of responsible innovation topics. Through a review of literature on responsible innovation and engineering education, the paper contextualizes the findings within broader discussions of curriculum development and interdisciplinary approaches to teaching ethics and social responsibility. Emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration, the paper concludes by envisioning a forward-looking approach to curriculum development that prioritizes responsible innovation and prepares engineering students to address complex societal challenges in their future careers.