New Books Network Jessica Smith on Engineering and Public Accountability in Energy Industries
May 5, 2025
In a captivating conversation with Lee Vinsel, Jessica Smith, a professor at the Colorado School of Mines and expert in engineering and public accountability, shares insights from her research on the energy and mining industries. They tackle the challenges of stereotypes faced by engineers and discuss the evolving role of corporate social responsibility. Jessica highlights the significance of community engagement in carbon management and critiques the corporate culture impacting engineering ethics. Her personal reflections make a compelling case for balancing industrial needs with social justice.
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Jessica's Roots in Coal Country
- Jessica Smith grew up in Gillette, Wyoming, a major coal-producing area.
- Her father was a mine mechanic and she worked as a haul truck driver in coal mines during college summers.
Ethics of Material Provisioning
- Engineers in mining and oil believe they provide essential materials for everyday life, forming an "ethics of material provisioning."
- This belief influences their self-justification amid critiques of environmental harm.
Social License to Operate Explained
- The social license to operate concept means companies need community acceptance, not just permits.
- It originated in mining as a business case to reduce costly conflicts through corporate social responsibility.