Bunting, Andrea | Australia

Andrea Bunting is lecturer at the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

Qualifications:
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wollongong, 2003.
Master of Science (Science in Society), Uni. of Melbourne, 1997.
Graduate Diploma of Education, SACAE, 1992.
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), University of Melbourne, 1981.

Areas of Interest:
Wind power industry, Renewable energy policy, Environmental technology policy, Sustainability in engineering education

Work History:
1992 to 1996; 2000 to present: Lecturer, RMIT University
1989 to 1991: Teacher, Regency College of TAFE, South Australia
1987 to 1988: Tutor, University of Adelaide
1985 to 1986: Engineer, Pipelines Authority of South Australia
1984: Research Officer, Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria
1981 to 1983: Engineer, Altona Petrochemical Company, Victoria

Project at IAS-STS: Development of an Evaluation Method and Formulation of Recommendations for Improved Teaching and Learning of Sustainability in Engineering Education

The engineering profession is increasingly realizing the importance of teaching engineering students about the environmental responsibilities of engineers and about the principles of sustainable design. While it is important to develop capabilities related to environmental sustainability in all engineering students, the implied assumption is that students are starting from a low level of appreciation of sustainability. However, it may be more appropriate to tailor learning experiences to suit students’ environmental attitudes and values. There has been little attention given to nurturing such capabilities in engineering students who already possess a high level of environmental commitment, and who intend to direct their careers accordingly. This project comprises an investigation of how engineering courses can be improved to cater for such environmentally committed students. The focus will be on female engineering students, as there is evidence that women studying engineering may be more attracted to careers that are environmentally beneficial.

The first objective of this research project is to investigate the experiences of “environmentally committed” female students in engineering programs. About fifteen women will be interviewed, comprising both recent graduates and students in the later years of their studies. The experiences of these women will be interpreted in the light of literature on women and engineering, and sustainability in engineering education. The second objective is to develop a methodology applicable in undergraduate programs for assessing and monitoring the evolution of engineering students’ environmental attitudes, their commitment to directing their career towards environmental betterment, and their capacity for sustainable innovation. The third objective is to design teaching methods and learning experiences in engineering programs that are tailored to students’ environmental understanding, attitudes and values.