The National Institute for Engineering Ethics (NIEE) was founded in 1988 as part of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) in an effort to advance the understanding and practice of ethics within the engineering profession. NIEE became an independent organization in 1995 but was still supported financially by NSPE through membership fees. In October of 2001, NIEE moved to Texas Tech University and became an official component of the Murdough Center for Engineering Professionalism in the College of Engineering. At Texas Tech, NIEE supported courses focused on engineering ethics for both engineering students and professionals. NIEE also created the Applied Ethics in Professional Practice (AEPP) program to provide free ethics cases for educational purposes. After a long tenure at Texas Tech, NIEE has moved Purdue University as of 2020. Over the years, NIEE has been a cooperative effort of various engineering organizations to foster education, training, and discourse in engineering ethics. NIEE will continue and grow this effort at its new Purdue home.
One of the most successful ventures NIEE has endeavored is the production and distribution of engineering ethics educational videos. Gilbane Gold (©1989) looks at waste treatment and the effects it may have on the environment. Incident at Morales (US Edition ©2003; International Edition ©2005) was produced with support from National Science Foundation Grant #SES-0138309 and has been subtitled in 13 languages. Incident at Morales highlights issues that may arise when business and safety priorities conflict. Henry’s Daughters (© 2010) dives into how professional and personal relationships can become intermingled and its consequences. Henry’s Daughters has been subtitled in 12 languages and English for the hearing impaired.