RAIL Research Study - Purdue University

Reflecting Across Intercultural Learning

This research seeks to characterize the process of global formation for engineers and to develop resources and training to help faculty integrate global learning into engineering.

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Welcome to the RAIL Research Study

The purpose of this research, which is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, is to learn more about engineering students’ experiences in career and educational settings. The project seeks to characterize global engineering competency development, study travel and non-travel experiences, and develop resources and training to support faculty in integrating global learning in engineering.

Project Motivation

Our world currently faces grand challenges ranging from to addressing climate change to improving infrastructure to providing clean water. Addressing such complex and global issues requires the collaboration of diverse teams from across cultural and national boundaries who are able to consider the needs of those in different contexts. Many leading engineering organizations, including the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), call for engineers to develop intercultural skills, but few engineering programs communicate the importance of these skills to students or integrate them into the curriculum. Several barriers impede progress towards integrating intercultural learning in engineering. First, many assume that one must study abroad, which can be challenging for engineering students. Second, existing models of intercultural competence do not account for the unique skills required for global engineering work, collectively termed global engineering competency (GEC) and we do not know how GEC is developed. Finally, engineering educators often lack training, resources, and motivation to integrate intercultural topics into the curriculum.

Disclaimer:

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 2441096. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.