Engineers are in a uniquely powerful position. Able to shape our built environment and so influence the direction of civilisation, the impact that their expertise can have for the good of society and the environment is incredible.

But people are human, and if a negative culture is allowed to thrive in the organisations that employ them, or if no attention is paid to understanding how problems are approached, history has taught us that fatal disaster can be the result. It is vital that every member of the profession is ethically competent, working in a way that assures a positive outcome.

For this episode we have teamed up with consultant Mott MacDonald and the Inter Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre at Leeds University to explore how engineers can be empowered to practice ethically and we uncover the true story behind Canada’s mysterious iron ring ceremony.

GUESTS

Mike Haigh, Executive Chair, Mott MacDonald
Leonard Sharah, Chief Warden, Corporation of the Seven Wardens
Emma Crichton, Head of Engineering, Engineers Without Borders
Jim Baxter, Professional Ethics Consultancy Team Lead, University of Leeds
Rob Lawlor, Lecturer in Applied Ethics, University of Leeds
Peter Bonfield, President, Institution of Engineering and Technology
Mark Enzer, Chief Technical Officer, Mott MacDonald
Shannon Chance, Visiting Professor, UCL

PARTNER

Mott MacDonald: Opening opportunities with connected thinking.

Mott MacDonald is a US$2bn engineering, management and development consultancy involved in: 

• solving some of the world’s most urgent social, environmental and economic challenges
• helping governments and businesses plan, deliver and sustain their strategic goals
• responding to humanitarian and natural emergencies
• improving people’s lives 

Its expertise by sector includes buildings, communications, defence, education, environment, health, industry, mining, oil and gas, power, transport, urban development, water, wastewater and more. Its skills encompass planning, studies and design, project finance, technical advisory services, project and programme management, management consultancy and beyond