Why Future Engineers Are Using Mock Trials to Learn Ethics
Delft, Sunday, 20 September 2026.
TU Delft has launched open-access mock trial resources, allowing engineering students to debate the ethical and societal impacts of emerging technologies in a courtroom-style setting.
Bringing the Courtroom to the Design Classroom
Assistant Professor Fernando Secomandi of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at TU Delft has pioneered an innovative approach to teaching engineering ethics by turning design classrooms into active courtrooms [1]. Rather than relying on traditional lectures, Secomandi implemented “mock trials” in his master’s course, “Design Justice and Emerging Technologies” [1]. This experiential learning framework encourages students to argue, question, and defend cases, fostering a deep engagement with the ethical implications of emerging technological systems [1].
Lowering the Learning Curve for Ethics Education
According to Secomandi, mock trials provide a mechanism to bring broader societal voices directly into the educational experience, bridging the gap between abstract design theories and real-world events [1]. By forcing students to step into different roles, the exercise helps participants adopt alternative perspectives and analyze complex issues from multiple angles [1]. To make this pedagogical tool widely accessible, Secomandi has developed open-access educational materials—including a practical guide, templates, case studies, and video content—with an anticipated launch in September 2026, supported by the Open Education Stimulation Fund [1].
Open-Access Ethics for a Broader Impact
The project operates under an open license model, allowing educators from various universities and secondary education institutions to freely download, modify, and adapt the materials [1]. Secomandi emphasizes that creating these ready-to-use resources lowers the learning curve for other instructors who wish to adopt experiential ethics education in their classrooms [1]. The ultimate goal of the initiative is to cultivate critical awareness among students regarding the societal consequences of new technologies, preparing them to make responsible decisions in their future careers [1].
Integrating Design Justice and Plurality
This push for ethical awareness aligns with broader curriculum updates at TU Delft [2]. On August 31, 2026, Secomandi took over as the new course coordinator for the Strategic Design Studio course at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, succeeding Rebecca Price [2]. In this role, Secomandi has expanded the traditional curriculum—which historically focused on marketing and strategic management—to integrate “Design Justice” as an analytical lens, drawing from the influential work of Sasha Costanza-Chock [2]. During the opening session of the course, which welcomed over 100 highly motivated students, participants analyzed previous design projects from different global sectors to explore how power, value, and recognition are distributed [2].
A Collaborative Academic Environment
The teaching team, which includes Milene Gonçalves, Dirk Snelders, Sander Mulder, Martin Klitsie, Valeria Pannunzio, Catalina Estrada-Mejia, Milad Hajiamiri, Nikolaos Kyriakopoulos, and Bart Bluemink, continues to push boundaries in design education [2]. Following the introduction of design justice, the curriculum scheduled a session during the week of September 13, 2026, focusing on Giulia Calabretta’s co-authored book, “Strategic design: eight essential practices every strategic designer must master,” highlighting the plurality of traditions shaping design education at TU Delft [2].