Implementing a pedagogical framework for integrating sustainability into product design within engineering ethics education
Essam K ZANELDIN, Waleed AHMED, Lindita BANDE, Munjed MARAQA, Pranita BANERJEE
Abstract. This study proposes a comprehensive pedagogical framework designed to integrate sustainability principles into an Engineering Ethics course through its “Product Design” component. The framework seeks to align engineering ethics education with climate action and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, equipping future engineers with the knowledge and skills to embed sustainability within both ethical reasoning and product design practices. The framework redefines each stage of the systematic design process from a sustainability perspective. At the requirements and specifications stage, ecological and social dimensions are incorporated, supported by Quality Function Deployment to prioritize environmentally and socially responsible outcomes. Function trees are extended to evaluate life-cycle impacts, while ideation and brainstorming sessions emphasize circular economy principles and eco-innovation to reduce environmental impacts and uses resources more efficiently. Decision matrices are enhanced with sustainability metrics such as carbon footprint, durability, recyclability, and social responsibility to guide concept evaluation and selection. In the embodiment design phase, students are encouraged to adopt eco-friendly materials, modularity, and energy-efficient solutions. Ethical reflection is embedded throughout the process, supported by stakeholder engagement with local communities and industries to contextualize design decisions within regional sustainability challenges. The framework also integrates case studies that prompt students to analyze environmental and social impacts, apply life-cycle thinking, and ethically justify their design choices. This scalable, context-sensitive approach advances climate literacy, fosters community engagement, and promotes sustainable innovation in engineering ethics education. The framework prepares students to become responsible engineers capable of addressing pressing global challenges by combining technical design methodologies with ethical and sustainability dimensions.
Keywords
Circular Economy, Engineering Ethics, Higher Education, Product Design, Sustainability
Published online 6/20/2026, 8 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Essam K ZANELDIN, Waleed AHMED, Lindita BANDE, Munjed MARAQA, Pranita BANERJEE, Implementing a pedagogical framework for integrating sustainability into product design within engineering ethics education, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 922-929, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-125
The article was published as article 125 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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