Duke Engineering Integrates Ethics into Curriculum for Future Leaders
Duke University is taking significant steps to enhance the ethical foundation of its engineering program through the Character Forward Initiative, which aims to integrate ethics into the undergraduate curriculum. Launched in 2024, the initiative addresses the need for responsible innovation among engineering students, as traditional programs often overlook the importance of character in technical education. Rich Eva, the director of the initiative, emphasized its goal: “Character Forward exists to make good on the promise that’s core to Duke’s and Pratt’s mission—to form people of character who make an impact on their communities.”
Eva, who specializes in ethics, pedagogy, and political philosophy, brings a unique perspective to the program. His background as a Division I athlete fueled his interest in leadership and character development. Prior to joining Duke, he worked in finance, organizing pro bono service initiatives, and later returned to academia to explore applied ethics.
As of July 2025, the initiative welcomed a prominent addition: Retired General Charles Q. Brown Jr., the former highest-ranking military officer in the United States. Brown has taken on a two-year role as executive-in-residence at both the Pratt School of Engineering and the Sanford School of Public Policy. Dean Jerome P. Lynch remarked on Brown’s extensive experience, stating, “Gen. Brown’s wealth of experience as an engineer who has devoted his professional life to national service will inspire our students.”
In his new position, Brown will collaborate with faculty to embed ethics and character formation into technical education while also engaging with students through guest lectures and research initiatives. He noted the importance of humility and curiosity in engineering, asking critical questions about societal impacts and security.
“The 2020s are going to be the decade of character formation in engineering,” Eva stated, asserting that Duke aims to be at the forefront of this educational shift. This comes as part of a broader movement to develop empathy and ethical awareness in engineering education, an area traditionally neglected in the curriculum.
Integrating character education into engineering courses presents challenges, particularly for faculty who often lack formal ethics training themselves. Eva has been leading workshops to assist faculty in incorporating these principles into their teaching. Many educators express concerns about balancing ethics education with the rigorous technical content required in engineering programs.
“When faculty hear ‘ethics,’ they think I’m going to make them erase half their engineering content,” Eva explained. Instead, he aims to enhance their existing curriculum, helping educators recognize that character formation is already part of their teaching, even if unintentional.
A key method for encouraging students to engage in their character education is through intentional reflection. Eva pointed out that asking students questions such as, “Am I courageous? Why or why not?” can significantly influence their personal development. Faculty members like Cameron Kim have begun integrating reflection prompts into their lessons, emphasizing the connection between engineering practices and public welfare.
Kim, a biomedical engineering faculty member, highlighted the importance of understanding the ethical implications of engineering work. “Nothing that we do occurs in any sort of societal or ethical vacuum,” he stated. His approach encourages students to reflect on their growth in areas such as curiosity and humility, despite the challenges of finding time for such introspection.
Siobhan Oca, an assistant professor in Duke’s Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, has also embraced this initiative by developing a required ethics course for students in robotics programs. Oca believes that character development involves recognizing one’s identity and aspirations while understanding the broader impact of engineering solutions.
She noted, “The more ethics looks and feels like the rest of their engineering work, the more seriously students take it.” Oca’s course includes self-assessment surveys to measure changes in students’ perspectives throughout the semester, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in this educational process.
The Character Forward Initiative has introduced the inaugural Character Forward Fellows program, which invites undergraduate students to explore the ethical dimensions of engineering. Participants will engage in a spring-semester learning community, taking part in the course EGR 190: Ethics and Technology, and attending a series of sessions designed to cultivate essential character traits for ethical leadership.
Eva clarified the initiative’s intent: “Our goal isn’t to add one more requirement. It’s to make the kind of formation that’s already happening intentional, reflective, and lifelong.” The program also aims to develop departmental courses and senior capstone projects to further enhance ethical training within the engineering curriculum.
Additionally, Character Forward is in collaboration with The Purpose Project at Duke, which focuses on cultivating ethical habits and fostering dialogue among students. This partnership emphasizes the importance of addressing existential concerns and encourages students to reflect on their purpose beyond academic achievements.
Katherine Jo, director of program development and design at The Purpose Project, acknowledged the pressures faced by Duke students to achieve high-status careers. “When we invite students to explore questions of meaning and purpose, it’s not just about the job they’ll get—it’s about the kind of life they’ll lead,” she explained.
By shifting the focus from individual achievements to collective contributions, Duke’s initiatives aim to foster a culture of ethical awareness and character development within engineering education. This holistic approach seeks to prepare students not only for successful careers but also for meaningful lives that positively impact society.
