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Implementing Resilience and Sustainability into Undergraduate Engineering Curricula: A Qualitative Study with Faculty

Author

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  • Dazhi Yang

    (Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA)

  • Bhaskar Chittoori

    (Civil Engineering Department, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA)

  • Karen Krier

    (Department of Management, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA)

  • Shi Feng

    (Department of Psychology, Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, CA 91401, USA)

Abstract

This study investigates the concurrent implementation of resilience and sustainability concepts into undergraduate engineering curricula. Specifically, it examines the instructional strategies the faculty adopted, the most important aspects and applications of the two concepts, and the challenges faced in implementation. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with eight faculty members from four engineering disciplines. Faculty members employed various instructional strategies such as general discussions, project-based learning, and guest lectures. They considered practicality, the triple bottom line principle, and liability and environmental issues to be the most important aspects of sustainability. They also considered resiliency and rapidity or time recovery to be the most important aspects of resilience. Time constraint was the most common challenge for implementing resilience and sustainability. Packed curricula, struggles in finding the right strategy, students’ lack of motivation, and difficulty in teaching such concepts in introductory courses were also major challenges. As a result, students showed improvements in knowledge and attitudes, particularly regarding sustainability. This study offers practical insights for embedding both concepts into engineering education and recommends further research into instructional strategies and documentation to support integration.

Suggested Citation

  • Dazhi Yang & Bhaskar Chittoori & Karen Krier & Shi Feng, 2025. "Implementing Resilience and Sustainability into Undergraduate Engineering Curricula: A Qualitative Study with Faculty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7246-:d:1721914
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Muhammad Waqar Ashraf & Faisal Alanezi, 2020. "Incorporation of Sustainability Concepts into the Engineering Core Program by Adopting a Micro Curriculum Approach: A Case Study in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-11, April.
    2. Johan Rockström & Will Steffen & Kevin Noone & Åsa Persson & F. Stuart Chapin & Eric F. Lambin & Timothy M. Lenton & Marten Scheffer & Carl Folke & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber & Björn Nykvist & Cynthia , 2009. "A safe operating space for humanity," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7263), pages 472-475, September.
    3. Verena Nüchter & David J. Abson & Henrik von Wehrden & John-Oliver Engler, 2021. "The Concept of Resilience in Recent Sustainability Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-21, March.
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