Ocean and arctic engineering: Risk and the economic, social, legal context

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · J. Energy Resour. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1115/1.3231015· OSTI ID:6761388

Wenk, E

This paper traces the connections of ocean and arctic engineering to their broadest context--the economic, social, legal, cultural and political ramifications that increasingly season intrinsic elements of research, design and application. With a series of historical and anecdotal vignettes, this theme is elaborated to dramatize the sharp changes that have accompanied the interaction of technology and society generally in the last four decades. Moving from examples of the excitement of personal enlightment through discovery to the satisfaction of successful operating performance, this review concludes with four evolving challenges: updating tools of practice to incorporate notions of risk assessment and social impact; major reforms in engineering education to emphasize breadth instead of specialization; active engagement in technology-policy analysis to facilitate citizen enlightenment and foresight; and recognition that engineering ethics must parallel technical proficiency.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Washington, Seattle, WA
• OSTI ID: 6761388
• Journal Information: J. Energy Resour. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 106:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING PERSONNEL
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
ECONOMICS
LEGAL ASPECTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT
ARCTIC REGIONS
COMMUNICATIONS
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
EDUCATION
PERFORMANCE
POLITICAL ASPECTS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SEAS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TRANSPORT
ENGINEERING
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
PERSONNEL
POLAR REGIONS
PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL
SURFACE WATERS
423000* - Engineering- Marine Engineering- (1980-)
422000 - Engineering- Mining & Underground Engineering- (1980-)