Understandings of "Global Responsibility’ Expressed By Civil Engineers Working in London

This paper discusses the term ‘global responsibility’, how it emerged and why, and analysis of interview data collected from nine civil engineers working in London regarding their understandings of the term. Professional Bodies often take the lead in envisioning change, by identifying the direction their professionals should take to help address society’s evolving needs and aspirations. Often, such Bodies charge academia with addressing society’s evolving needs through research, outreach, and preparing the next generation of professionals. In the UK, leaders in civil engineering have pressed for individual and collective action to facilitate sustainable development and decrease occurrence of corruption. Nevertheless, under the current model of professional conduct, finances (typically the extractive side of the economic pillar) continue to take precedence over the environmental and social pillars. In response, the United Nations has encouraged use of the term ‘global responsibility’ to expand public perceptions of what quality life should entail.