Stephen Unger and Ethical Engineering

In celebration of 2026 IEEE Ethics Week, join us for an inspiring webinar reflecting on firsthand experiences with Stephen Unger, co-founder of the IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology (SSIT).  Discover how his lifelong commitment to engineering ethics continues to inspire principled leadership today.

As an engineering undergraduate I enrolled in a required Digital Circuit class taught by Prof. Stephen Unger, oblivious that he had been among the founders of SSIT just a few years before. That he had a passion for professional ethics came through in his lectures, and even in his grading of exams. He made a lasting impression on his students. More than three decades later, as I was working on a magazine contribution, I reached out to Prof. Unger and had a productive correspondence. Prof. Unger has had a great impact on IEEE, SSIT, our ethics. I will recount these experiences and their ongoing relevance.

- Fred Schindler