LEES is one of many ASEE divisions that provides a home for engineering educators to engage in critical conversations on justice in engineering. The conference itself provides a space for such critical conversations. During the conference, we encourage reflection on how we can advance freedom and justice in our society, including for ourselves, our students, our peers, our divisional members, our communities, and ultimately, our world. All participants in the LEES community (whether or not they are official division members through ASEE) share a responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing an environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced.
LEES has continued to be diligent in planning ways to bring a concerted focus on belonging, safety, and restorative justice into the work we do. We feel it is imperative to develop an ethos of community and communication, particularly with regards to identifying and addressing systems of harm. When communities use language designed to address harm as it happens, it signals the prioritization of proactive harm reduction versus more traditional, reactive methods which can perpetuate and extend trauma. “Oops and Ouch” language and similar tools can create a communal opportunity for reflection and discussion. To help facilitate safe spaces for ourselves and for others, we invite folks to utilize the following language during conversations, and to continuously co-develop language with us.
- Made a mistake or crossed a line – say “oops”
- Felt a comment or statement was demeaning or hurtful in any way – say “ouch”
As an example, those involved in a situation that necessitated “oops or ouch” language might take a moment to reflect together. After the reason for the “oops or ouch” language is clarified, the recipient of the oops/ouch comment might share, “I am sorry that I hurt you in any way. It [is or is not] clear to me how what I said was hurtful for you. Would you feel comfortable talking about this in more detail now or perhaps later?” These are suggestions that we offer to our membership to promote safety and well-being for us all. Conversations around such encounters afford us with opportunities to collectively grow.