Global Dimension in Engineering Education: A characterization of the scientific profile of GDEE community

Boris Lazzarini
Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology – Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Friday, 27 November 2015 - 12:00

A major challenge for higher education is to contribute to the transformation of the global society to a more sustainable and equitable one. Indeed, higher education institutions should play a significant role in promoting sustainable human development (SHD). Nevertheless, SHD is still far from being effectively integrated in the curricula.

These issues are particularly sensitive in technical universities. Engineers have the potential to deal with most of global challenges, creating more equitable wealth and well-being. SHD should therefore be fully recognized as an important component of both engineering degree courses and university policies.

Starting from this context, the purpose of this seminar is to share key findings of the European initiative “Global Dimension in Engineering Education – GDEE”. This initiative, that finalized in April 2015, promoted the integration of SHD as cross-cutting issue in teaching activities of technical universities, mainly i) by improving the competencies of academic staff through training materials and courses and ii) through staff engagement in a wide range of initiatives related to SHD.

Specifically, a study that analyses comparatively the research profile of two groups of university lecturers and researchers involved in the SHD academic activities will be presented. The work includes a bibliometric analysis of the scientific publications, and a characterization of common trends and similarities of the scientific production of this collective.

Place: 

Ciudad Politécnica de la Innovación
Edificio 8E, Acceso J, Planta 4ª (Sala Descubre. Cubo Rojo)
Universidad Politécnica de Valencia | Camino de Vera s/n

Short CV: 

I am a researcher of the Institute of Sustainability Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.

I am a political scientist by training and currently PhD candidate in Sustainability.

My research interests focus in the areas of Education for Sustainable Development as well as Higher Education and Research Policy.