Location
Thornton Hall A223 PO Box 400744

About

I research and teach about social and ethical aspects of technology and engineering practice. My work examines sustainable design values, technology and science fiction, and the LEGO(R) Group's brand identity and practices. 

 

Education

​B.S. Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, James Madison University, 1996

​M.A. Religious Studies, University of Virginia, 2009

​Ph.D. Religious Studies, University of Virginia, 2014

In designing and building technologies, engineers build societies.

Benjamin Joseph Laugelli Assistant Professor

Research Interests

Science, technology, and society (STS)
Engineering Ethics
Engineering Education
Sustainable Design Values
Frankenstein and science fiction
LEGO(R) Group and corporate social responsibility

Selected Publications

Rogue Engineering: Teaching Frankenstein as a Parable of (Un)ethical Engineering Practice. (2023). Proceedings of the 2023 American Society for Engineering Education Conference & Exposition. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli
ABS
Learning through Play: Using LEGO® Products, Practices, and Values to Teach Social and Ethical Aspects of Engineering Design. (2022). Proceedings of the 2022 American Society for Engineering Education Conference & Exposition. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli
ABS
Fostering Ethical Innovation in Engineering Education and Design. (2021). Proceedings of the 2021 American Society for Engineering Education Southeastern Section Virtual Conference. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli
ABS
Designing for a Sustainable World: Integrating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals into a First-Year Course in Science, Technology and Society. (2020). Proceedings of the 2020 American Society for Engineering Education Conference & Exposition Benjamin Joseph Laugelli
ABS
Communication Across Divisions. (2020). Proceedings of the 2020 American Society for Engineering Education Conference & Exposition. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli; Co-authored With J. Norback (Lead Author), K. Neeley, and C. Bennett
ABS
"Framing" the Book of Job: Teaching at the Intersection of Biblical Studies and Academic Writing (2015). In Teaching the Bible in the Liberal Arts Classroom, Vol. 2, Jane S. Webster and Glenn S. Holland, eds. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli
ABS
"Mark's Monstrous Beasts: Reading Allusion to Daniel 7 in Mark 1.13." Paper presented at the Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting: Bible and Empire; St. Andrews, Scotland: July 11, 2013. Benjamin Joseph Laugelli

Courses Taught

STS 1500: Science, Technology, and Contemporary Issues - Designing for a Sustainable World
STS 2500: Technology and the Frankenstein Myth
STS 2500: The LEGO(R) Course: Engineering Design and Values
STS 4500: STS and Engineering Practice
STS 4600: The Engineer, Ethics, and Professional Responsibility

Awards

Grounds Engaged Learning for Sustainability (GELS) Grant, University of Virginia 2021
Dissertation Writing Grant, University of Virginia, Department of Religious Studies 2012