Editing Engineering (section)

==Social context==
[[File:Kismet-IMG 6007-gradient.jpg|thumb|left|[[Robotic]] [[Kismet (robot)|Kismet]] can produce a range of facial expressions.]]
The engineering profession engages in a range of activities, from collaboration at the societal level, and smaller individual projects. Almost all engineering projects are obligated to a funding source: a company, a set of investors, or a government. The types of engineering that are less constrained by such a funding source, are ''[[pro bono]]'', and [[open-design]] engineering.

Engineering has interconnections with society, culture and human behavior. Most products and constructions used by modern society, are influenced by engineering. Engineering activities have an impact on the environment, society, economies, and public safety.

Engineering projects can be controversial. Examples from different engineering disciplines include: the development of [[nuclear weapon]]s, the [[Three Gorges Dam]], the design and use of [[sport utility vehicle]]s and the extraction of [[Fuel oil|oil]]. In response, some engineering companies have enacted serious [[Corporate social responsibility|corporate and social responsibility]] policies.

The attainment of many of the [[Millennium Development Goals]] requires the achievement of sufficient engineering capacity to develop infrastructure and sustainable technological development.<ref name="MDG">{{cite web|url =http://www.sistech.co.uk/media/ICEBrunelLecture2006.pdf?Docu_id=1420&faculty=14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006054029/http://www.sistech.co.uk/media/ICEBrunelLecture2006.pdf?Docu_id=1420&faculty=14 |archive-date=October 6, 2006|url-status=dead|title = Engineering Civilisation from the Shadows|last = Jowitt|first = Paul W.|date = 2006 }}</ref>

[[File:ElementBlack2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.15|Radar, [[GPS]], [[lidar]], etc. are all combined to provide proper navigation and [[obstacle avoidance]] (vehicle developed for 2007 [[DARPA Urban Challenge]]).]]

Overseas development and relief NGOs make considerable use of engineers, to apply solutions in disaster and development scenarios. Some charitable organizations use engineering directly for development:
* [[Engineers Without Borders]]
* [[Engineers Against Poverty]]
* Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief
* [[Engineers for a Sustainable World]]
* [[Engineering for Change]]
* Engineering Ministries International<ref name="EMI">[http://www.emiusa.org/index.html Home page for EMI] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414014038/http://emiusa.org/index.html |date=April 14, 2012 }}</ref>

Engineering companies in more developed economies face challenges with regard to the number of engineers being trained, compared with those retiring. This problem is prominent in the UK where engineering has a poor image and low status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineeringuk.com/About_us/|title=engineeringuk.com/About_us|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140530210132/http://www.engineeringuk.com/About_us/|archive-date=May 30, 2014}}</ref> There are negative economic and political issues that this can cause, as well as ethical issues.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgededwards.co.uk/policy/why-does-it-matter-why-are-engineering-skills-important |title=Why Does It Matter? – why are engineering skills important? |author= George Edwards |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140619142335/http://www.georgededwards.co.uk/policy/why-does-it-matter-why-are-engineering-skills-important |archive-date=June 19, 2014 }}</ref> It is agreed the engineering profession faces an "image crisis".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.georgededwards.co.uk/the-era-foundation-report.html |title=The ERA Foundation Report |author= George Edwards |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103241/http://www.georgededwards.co.uk/the-era-foundation-report.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref> The UK holds the [[:Category:Engineering companies by country|most engineering companies]] compared to other European countries, together with the United States.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

===Code of ethics===
{{Main|Engineering ethics}}
Many [[engineering societies]] have established codes of practice and [[engineering ethics|codes of ethics]] to guide members and inform the public at large. The [[National Society of Professional Engineers]] code of ethics states:
{{blockquote| Engineering is an important and learned profession. As members of this profession, engineers are expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Engineering has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, the services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness, and equity, and must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior that requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics|title=Code of Ethics|publisher=National Society of Professional Engineers|access-date=July 12, 2017|archive-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218064318/https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

In Canada, engineers wear the [[Iron Ring]] as a symbol and reminder of the obligations and ethics associated with their profession.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ironring.ca/ |title=Origin of the Iron Ring concept |access-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-date=April 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430202754/http://www.ironring.ca/ |url-status=live }}</ref>