Humanitarian Engineering

The Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDE) concentration of Humanitarian Engineering produces engineers who focus the skill and capabilities of engineering theory and practice toward aiding the greater good of humanity. Humanitarian engineers offer stakeholder-centric solutions to medical and disaster relief, global outreach, human displacement, human safety, food security, cultural awareness/sensitivity, and economic development. 

Potential Industries: Nonprofit sector, faith-based charities, NGO’s (i.e. global aid/global health), international development as well as state, federal and international government agencies.

Potential Work: Leading research and data analysis in problem topics to develop novel approaches to reduce risk and improve outcomes; developing and designing improved water and sanitation systems; project and supply chain management around aid distribution, supply route repair. The focus of work will always engage a range of stakeholders with many competing interests ranging from time to monetary, religious, geopolitical, raw material and sustainability constraints.

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Student and Alumni Stories

Student Highlight: Spring '21 Senior Ashley Foltz, Humanitarian Engineer in the Multidisciplinary Engineering Degree Program

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2017 Interdisciplinary Engineering Colloquium

At a 2017 colloquium hosted by Purdue's College of Engineering, faculty panelists discussed the nature of humanitarian engineering across engineering design initiatives, emerging economies, and as global competencies and challenges.

Part II discusses the need and growth of Humanitarian Engineering (highlights Angela Collins, MDE Alumna '18)

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^{Last Updated: January 30, 2026}