Exploratory study on the role of institutional frameworks on engineering curricula evolution - A case study on transition towards sustainability

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by nayy☆

Humanity’s move into the Anthropocene requires rethinking technology through its environmental consequences and the resulting risk to the Earth system’s viability for humans. Engineers, who drive many high-impact techniques, often lack systemic training in sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. An exploratory workshop at a French university of technology examines how new engineering programs can be developed within the current institutional framework.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Anthropocene, anthroposphere and biosphere

Limits to growth and risk of collapse

Sustainability in engineering curricula

Institutional frameworks and curriculum evolution

Exploratory study on the role of institutional frameworks on engineering curricula evolution: A case study on transition towards sustainability Lou Grimal, Université de Technologie de Troyes, France Jules Baudry, Université de Technologie de Troyes, France Pelgrim Charraud, Université de Technologie de Troyes, France Rémi Céret-Université de Technologie de Troyes, France Nadège Troussier, Université de Technologie de Troyes, France Abstract Humanity’s entrance into the Anthropocene forces us to question the role of technology because of its impacts on the environment. The stake is the viability of the Earth system for humans. Engineers producing a large part of these impacting techniques are not trained in sustainable issues (environmental, social and economic ones-in a systemic way) . An exploratory workshop was held at a French University of Technology to study the development of new engineering training courses on issues of strong sustainability. During this workshop, the participants were placed into the current French institutional framework and were asked to develop a new training within this specific framework. The hypothesis formulated at the end of this experiment is that current institutional frameworks can be an obstacle to the production of new training, especially training adapted to the transition phenomenon to respond to the increasing risk of socio-ecological catastrophes. This experiment was conducted as part of a heuristic approach and opens up new perspectives for the evolution of training as well as institutional frameworks in higher education and research. Keywords Ecological catastrophes, engineering studies, education, institutional framework Introduction The entrance of humanity into the Anthropocene (Steffen et al., 2015) requires us to rethink technology by considering the impacts technical tools have on the ecosystems. All these techniques used by man (our activities in a broader sense) and their impacts can be understood as the anthroposphere. This anthroposphere is in constant exchange with the biosphere, which is defined by all ecosystems and living organisms evolving in their living environments. These two spheres interact: our industries draw their raw materials from the biosphere to meet all of society's needs (basic and non-basic needs) . This interaction seems one-sided. Indeed, the impact of the anthroposphere on the biosphere is such that the latter is struggling to recover. Indeed, each year, the rate of resource extraction exceeds that of resource regeneration (especially fossil ones), while the quantity of emissions exceeds that which the biosphere is capable of absorbing to sustainably ensure our living conditions (especially a stable climate) . In other words, the current metabolism of the anthroposphere in the biosphere is unsustainable and compromises the viability of the earth system (Court & Fizaine, 2017; Meadows et al., 1972), at least the continuity of current human productive activities. The models in the Limits to growth report for the period 1970 – 2000 have been verified (Branderhorst, 2020) and the projections made in the 1972 report are in strong agreement with the historical data (again for the period between 1970 and 2000) . It appears that the projections in this report also conclude that there is a possibility of a global collapse before the end of the mid-21st century. « The salient message from the [Limits to Growth] modelling was that continued growth in the global economy would lead to planetary limits being exceeded sometime in the 21st century, most likely resulting in the collapse of the population and economic system, but also that collapse could be avoided with a combination of early changes in behaviour, policy, and technology.”(Turner, 2008) . In this article we are focusing on those possible changes, and more precisely changes related to technology: how to change technology design by the education of future designers? This paper will take a

FAQs

What problem does the paper address regarding engineering and sustainability?

The paper addresses the gap in engineering training for systemic sustainability, spanning environmental, social, and economic issues, as required by the Anthropocene’s environmental impacts.

How was the exploratory workshop conducted?

Participants in a French University of Technology workshop were placed within the current French institutional framework and asked to develop a new training program under that specific framework.

What is the key hypothesis about institutional frameworks?

The hypothesis is that current institutional frameworks can hinder the creation of new engineering training, especially programs adapted to the transition needed to respond to increasing socio-ecological catastrophe risks.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by nayy☆