Discipline-Based Engineering Education Faculty Candidate Seminar
Jessica Deters, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech
Monday | February 21 | NH W302 | 11:15-12:15
Zoom Link: https://unl.zoom.us/j/93091515923
Title:
Investigating Mechanical Engineering Students' Experiences of Engineering Culture During COVID-19: A Comparative Case Study of the United States and South Africa
Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic caused rapid shifts in engineering education, causing changes to course formats and student experiences. This research seminar will detail the findings of a qualitative study that used the lens of engineering culture to investigate undergraduate mechanical engineering student experiences at two institutions - one in the United States and one in South Africa - during the pandemic. By investigating engineering culture during a time of stress, this research identifies the most salient features of engineering culture that remained constant through the pandemic as well as the features that changed due to the pandemic. Further, the global comparative aspect of this work highlights which features of engineering culture are universal and which are influenced by national context. Overall, this research aims to inform future educational responses to disasters as well as future change efforts in engineering.
Bio:
Jessica Deters (she/her) is an Engineering Education researcher with a background in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, and Systems Engineering. Deters is in the final stage of completing a PhD in Engineering Education. She uses qualitative and mixed methods to examine systems impacting both undergraduate and graduate students. Her areas of research include engineering culture, workplace preparedness, international experiential learning, interdisciplinary programs, and comparative engineering education. Her research experience and interests span domains, allowing her to take a systems thinking approach to engineering education research.
Monday | February 21 | NH W302 | 11:15-12:15
Zoom Link: https://unl.zoom.us/j/93091515923