With the adoption of its new Code of Ethics, ASCE has updated the primary document that guides and protects decisions made by civil engineers around the world. Approved by the ASCE Board of Direction on October 26, 2020, this is the first wholesale update of the code since 1976. The changes went into effect immediately.

Do you have any questions about the changes? Do you need guidance “for a friend” on how the new language applies in a particular case? You’re invited to participate in an ethics workshop in ASCE Career by Design from Monday, April 12 – Friday, April 16. Post your questions in the "Ask Me Anything" style thread in Career by Design starting on Monday, April 12th. If you would like to receive a reminder, please register for this event. All submitted questions will be reviewed by volunteers that contributed to the development of the new Code of Ethics, and you will receive a response by April 19th on the thread.

For this event, we have temporarily enabled the "Post Anonymously" feature so you can anonymously post your question.  

Quick reminder: All questions need to comply with the ASCE Collaborate Code of Conduct. PDH’s will not be issued for participating in this event.

I look forward to hearing from you! 

****This event is for ASCE members only. You can join ASCE here. 

You can access other ASCE ethics resources here. 

Learn more about the experts:


Carlos Bertha, Ph.D, A.M.ASCE, is a Professor of Philosophy at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa in 1989. After working at the Savannah District Corps of Engineers for 5 years, he returned to USF, this time to study philosophy. He has been teaching at the Air Force Academy since June of 2000.  He teaches Ethics, Critical Thinking, Symbolic Logic, Philosophy of Science and other electives. Carlos’ main area of research is engineering ethics, particularly engineering ethics education. He co-authored (with Dr. Steve Starrett and Dr. Amy Lara) "Engineering Ethics: Real World Case Studies," published by ASCE in 2017. Carlos recently retired as a Colonel from the US Army Reserve after 30 years of service and has extensive experience in military construction and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA).

Steven K. Starrett, Ph.D., P.E., D.WRE, F.ASCE, F.EWRI, became the Dean of Engineering and Engineering Technology at LeTourneau University in 2017. LeTourneau University, the Christian Polytechnic University, has been providing an innovative, hands-on engineering education since it was founded in Longview, Texas in 1946. Steven K. Starrett obtained a BS in civil engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology in 1989. He obtained an M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 1992 and 1994, respectively. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. Dr. Starrett served on the civil engineering faculty at Kansas State University for 23 years and was also the Director of the institutional wide Honor and Integrity System. Dr. Starrett served as the ASCE-Environmental and Water Resources Institute President in 2017. In 2017, Dr. Starrett received the prestigious Professional Practice Ethics and Leadership Award granted by the American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE). In 2018, Dr. Starrett received the Service to the Institute Award from the ASCE-EWRI. Steve enjoys the great outdoors, fishing, visiting national parks, riding motorcycles, and attending bluegrass music festivals.