Abstract

Engaging with ethics is a critical component of working in science and engineering, from institutional approvals to research training to ethics coursework. However, in order for ethics to be more than simply a requirement or constraint in the research environment, ethics education must be designed to foster deep engagement. In this work, we present our approach to developing an ethical ethos, which we define as a research culture in which ethics is an integral part of all stages of research. To cultivate this ethos, we develop a monthly semi-structured discussion seminar series designed to critically engage researchers and engineers with ethical principles by connecting with their research and their own deeply held values. Through this approach, we empower researchers to take ownership of ethical principles and ultimately apply these principles in the day-to-day work of research.