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Mapping Engineering Students' Conceptions of Responsibility in Challenge-Based Learning: The Agency Gap

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Title: Mapping Engineering Students' Conceptions of Responsibility in Challenge-Based Learning: The Agency Gap
Language: English
Authors: Diana Adela Martin (ORCID 0000-0002-9368-4100), Gunter Bombaerts (ORCID 0000-0002-8006-1617)
Source: Journal of Engineering Education. 2026 115(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 33
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Engineering Education, College Freshmen, Professional Personnel, Responsibility, Problem Solving, Social Problems, Data Analysis, Ethics, Moral Values
DOI: 10.1002/jee.70057
ISSN: 1069-4730
2168-9830
Abstract: Background: The complexity of engineering practice highlights the need to make students aware of their responsibility as future professionals. However, integrating this concept into the engineering curricula remains a challenge. Purpose: The study explores how engineering students conceptualize their responsibilities as future professionals and identifies which challenge-based learning (CBL) course components they attribute to their current views. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 first-year engineering students following a CBL course on ethics and data analysis. Data were analyzed thematically using a conceptual lens that categorizes responsibilities by scope (micro/macro) and orientation (subject/object). Results: Students articulated a broad range of responsibilities with notable balance between micro (n = 27) and macro (n = 28) dimensions, suggesting CBL's potential to address both scopes of professional obligation. However, a pronounced 4.5:1 asymmetry emerged between subject-oriented responsibilities (actions and values internal to individuals and the profession) and object-oriented responsibilities (structural reform and institutional change). Students showed limited conception of their role in transforming engineering practice itself. Influential CBL components included real-life challenges, stakeholder analysis, value-mapping, foresight exercises, and client sessions. Conclusion: While CBL appears effective at fostering micro/macro balance, the subject/object asymmetry reveals an "agency gap" in engineering ethics education. The findings call for pedagogical approaches that prepare graduates not only to act ethically within existing structures but also to engage in individual and collective action for reforming engineering practice and the profession. The study contributes to broadening engineering ethics education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504299
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Mapping Engineering Students' Conceptions of Responsibility in Challenge-Based Learning: The Agency Gap
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Diana+Adela+Martin%22">Diana Adela Martin</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9368-4100">0000-0002-9368-4100</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gunter+Bombaerts%22">Gunter Bombaerts</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8006-1617">0000-0002-8006-1617</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Engineering+Education%22"><i>Journal of Engineering Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 115(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 33
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Engineering+Education%22">Engineering Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Freshmen%22">College Freshmen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Personnel%22">Professional Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Responsibility%22">Responsibility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Problem+Solving%22">Problem Solving</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Problems%22">Social Problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+Analysis%22">Data Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethics%22">Ethics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Moral+Values%22">Moral Values</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/jee.70057
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  Data: 1069-4730<br />2168-9830
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: The complexity of engineering practice highlights the need to make students aware of their responsibility as future professionals. However, integrating this concept into the engineering curricula remains a challenge. Purpose: The study explores how engineering students conceptualize their responsibilities as future professionals and identifies which challenge-based learning (CBL) course components they attribute to their current views. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 first-year engineering students following a CBL course on ethics and data analysis. Data were analyzed thematically using a conceptual lens that categorizes responsibilities by scope (micro/macro) and orientation (subject/object). Results: Students articulated a broad range of responsibilities with notable balance between micro (n = 27) and macro (n = 28) dimensions, suggesting CBL's potential to address both scopes of professional obligation. However, a pronounced 4.5:1 asymmetry emerged between subject-oriented responsibilities (actions and values internal to individuals and the profession) and object-oriented responsibilities (structural reform and institutional change). Students showed limited conception of their role in transforming engineering practice itself. Influential CBL components included real-life challenges, stakeholder analysis, value-mapping, foresight exercises, and client sessions. Conclusion: While CBL appears effective at fostering micro/macro balance, the subject/object asymmetry reveals an "agency gap" in engineering ethics education. The findings call for pedagogical approaches that prepare graduates not only to act ethically within existing structures but also to engage in individual and collective action for reforming engineering practice and the profession. The study contributes to broadening engineering ethics education.
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      – SubjectFull: Ethics
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      – SubjectFull: Moral Values
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