Open AccessUSING ACTOR NETWORK THEORY TO EXPLORE SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IN AN ENGINEERING & SOCIETY COURSE
Author(s) -
Robert Irish,
Lisa Romkey
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the ... ceea conference
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2371-5243
DOI - 10.24908/pceea.vi0.14960
Subject(s) - sociotechnical system , multidisciplinary approach , sustainability , computer science , engineering management , engineering , management science , sociology , knowledge management , social science , ecology , biology
This paper explores the use of Actor-Network Theory as a tool for exploring the complexity ofsustainability issues in a core Engineering and Society course for second-year students in a large,multidisciplinary engineering program. In the course, Actor Network Theory, which is a method for analyzing sociotechnical issues with an emphasis on the concept of power and its distribution, was introduced to the students through a series of learning activities and an assignment, initially encouraging the students to apply the approach to a system within their own life. Subsequently, the approach was used to analyze complex sociotechnical issues, for example, the use of Coal-based energy in Nova Scotia, and the Coastal Gaslink pipeline dispute in the Wet’suwet'enterritory. This paper describes our approach to introducing Actor Network Theory to engineering students, the benefits and limitations of the approach, and the efficacy of the approach for exploring sustainability issues. Other instructors may consider the introduction of ActorNetwork Theory through courses in Engineering & Society and Engineering Design.