Symposium: Ethics in Engineering Education

On December 7, 2026, 4TU+.Centre for Engineering Education and 4TU_Ethics will host a mini symposium on Ethics in Engineering Education. The symposium will be followed by the PhD Defense Ceremony of Thijs Loonstra (WUR), Paradigms and Ethics in Environmental Education, which is a 4TU+.CEE-funded PhD project. The preliminary programme includes contributions by Gert Biesta and Gunter Bombaerts, providing a valuable opportunity for discussion and engagement.   

Location: Impulse, Wageningen University  

Registration is free but required.

Symposium: Ethics in Engineering Education - From Research to Educational Practice

How can we prepare future engineers to navigate complex ethical challenges? What role do diversity of perspectives, values, and non-cognitive dimensions of ethics play in engineering education? And how can educators meaningfully integrate these aspects into their own courses and programmes?

We warmly invite educators, researchers, educational developers, programme leaders, and students to join us for an interactive symposium on Ethics in Engineering Education. The symposium combines cutting-edge research, inspiring educational practices, and hands-on workshops aimed at strengthening ethics education across engineering programmes.

A special highlight of the day is the opportunity to engage with the work of Dr. Thijs Loonstra, whose recent PhD research explores important questions regarding ethics education in engineering.

Programme

11:00 - 11:10 | Welcome and Introduction

Welcome on behalf of Wageningen University & Research (WUR), 4TU+ Centre for Engineering Education (4TU+.CEE), and 4TU.Ethics.

Introduction to the theme and programme of the day.

11:10 - 11:25 | Research Spotlight: Public Lecture by Dr. Thijs Loonstra

An accessible presentation of key findings from Dr. Loonstra's doctoral research on ethics in engineering education.

11:25 - 11:50 | Interactive Discussion: Key Questions for Ethics Education

Building on the presentation, participants will explore two central themes:

1. Plurality in Engineering Ethics Education

• What is the role of plural perspectives, values, and viewpoints in engineering education?
• How can plurality be meaningfully addressed at both course and programme level?

2. Beyond Cognition: The Non-Cognitive Dimensions of Ethics

• Why should we pay attention to emotions, attitudes, identity, and moral development?
• How can these dimensions be integrated into engineering education?

Through structured discussion and audience interaction, participants will share perspectives and generate ideas for future practice.

11:50 - 12:05 | Inspiring Educational Practices (TO BE CONFIRMED)

Two examples from the TU Delft Ethics in Engineering Education Repository will be presented, illustrating practical approaches for fostering:

• plurality and multiple perspectives;
• non-cognitive aspects of ethics learning.

12:05 - 12:20 | From Inspiration to Action

Participants will discuss how insights from the morning sessions can be translated into their own teaching practice, courses, and educational programmes.

12:20 - 13:00 | Networking Lunch

An opportunity to continue conversations and connect with colleagues from across institutions.

13:00 - 14:15 | Interactive Workshops

Participants can choose between two parallel workshop sessions:

Workshop 1: To be confirmed

Workshop 2: Gunter Bombaerts

15:30 | PhD Defence of Dr. Thijs Loonstra

Participants are warmly invited to attend the public PhD defence following the symposium.

Why Attend?

By participating in this symposium, you will:

• Gain insights from recent research on ethics in engineering education.
• Explore practical examples that can be applied in your own teaching.
• Exchange ideas with colleagues from across the 4TU community and beyond.
• Reflect on the role of ethics, plurality, and moral development in educating future engineers.
• Leave with concrete ideas for strengthening ethics education in your own courses and programmes.

We look forward to welcoming you to this inspiring and interactive symposium on the future of ethics in engineering education.