IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct
Committee - An Overview
Daniel S. Yeung
Member of IEEE EMCC
President, IEEE Systems, Man & Cybernetics Society
IEEE Region 10 Annual Meeting
Gujarat, India
2-3 February 2008
Overview
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Professional Ethics
History of the Code or Ethics
Ethics and Member Conduct Committee
(EMCC)
Member Conduct Cases
Outreach to Promote Ethical Behavior
2008 EMCC Members
Contact Information
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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR SOCIETY
• Protect public health, safety and welfare
 Reduce risks below an acceptable level –
Design, fabrication, operation....
• Inform public of issues
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Realities of the situation
Expectations of safety
Misuse of data/data analysis
Environmental impacts
Government/industry technology policies
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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
RESPONSIBILIES TO OUR EMPLOYERS & CLIENTS
• Act as a trusted agent
• Provide full disclosure on qualifications
• Protect and advance company interests
• Avoid conflicts of interest
• Maintain confidentiality
• Provide candid evaluation of company projects
• Perform assignments to the best of your ability
• Balance responsibilities to employer and public
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PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
RESPONSIBILITIES TO OUR PROFESSIONAL COLLEAGUES
• Do not make false statements
• Recognize and give credit for work of others
• Share information (unless confidential)
• Promote professional development
• Participate in professional societies
RESPONSIBILITIES TO OURSELVES
• Provide honest assessment of ALL facts: Personal
qualifications and Product specifications
• Do not defraud employer/client: Expense accounts,
charges/expenses to clients
• Take full responsibility for our actions
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IEEE Code of Ethics
has a Long History
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1912 – Code adopted by the American Institute of
Electrical Engineers (AIEE).
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1963 – IEEE endorsed “Canons of Ethics of Engineers”.
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1974 – Board of Directors approved “IEEE Code of
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1979-89 – Code underwent a few revisions.
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1990 – Board of Directors approved simplified IEEE
Ethics for Engineers”.
Code of Ethics.
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2006 – Board of Directors approved revision to the
IEEE Code of Ethics.
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EMCC Structure/Charge
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Nine members
Reports to the IEEE Board of Directors
Makes recommendations for policies and/or
educational programs to promote the ethical
behavior of members and staff
Considers instituting proceedings, as defined
in IEEE Bylaws I-110 and I-111, related to
matters of member and officer discipline
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Limit on Activities
EMCC cannot solicit or invite complaints
 EMCC cannot provide advice to individuals
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Summary of the Handling of Member
Conduct Complaints
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The EMCC receives complaints from members about
the conduct of other members.
The EMCC conducts a preliminary investigation.
If the EMCC finds that the facts can be proven and
constitute cause for
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censure,
suspension, or
expulsion
a Hearing Board is convened.
The Hearing Board deliberates.
The IEEE Board of Directors takes final action.
See Bylaws I-110 and I-111 and Policy 7.11
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Student Ethics Competition
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Major student event at IEEE Region and
Section level
Objectives of the competition program are:
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foster familiarity with the IEEE Code of
Ethics and ethical concepts
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promote a model for discussing and
analyzing ethical questions
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provide experience in applying ethical
concepts to typical professional situations.
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Student Ethics Competition
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EMCC case studies or develop your own cases
$400 US for the Student Branch of the winning team
and $200 for the runner-up team
Certificates for winning teams signed by the EMCC
Chair and the IEEE President.
Certificate of participation for all participants signed
by the EMCC Chair and the IEEE President.
Guidelines available at
http://www.ieee.org/go/studentethics
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Past Winners of IEEE Student Ethics
Competition
2007
Region 2
DeVry University, Columbus, Cincinnati, OH
Conference Host: University of Cincinnati
Region 3
VA
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond,
Conference Host: SoutheastCon 2007
Region 5
University of Missouri – Rolla, Fayetteville, AR
Conference Host: Region 5 Conference/IEEE
Region 10
Chengannur College of Engineering,
Kuttipuram, India
Conference Host: M.E.S. College of Engineering
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Past Winners of IEEE Student Ethics
Competition
2006
Region 2
George Washington University, Philadelphia, PA
Conference Host: Drexel University/IEEE
Region 3
Virginia Commonwealth University, Memphis, TN
Conference Host: SoutheastCon 2006
Region 4
Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Conference Host: Valparaiso University
Region 8
Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
Conference Host: Alexandria University
2005
Region 2
Location of Competition: Glassboro, NJ
Conference Host: Rowan University
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IEEE Student Ethics Competition
Guidelines and Requirements
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Competition is suggested to be between 4 to 6 teams
made up of 2 to 3 IEEE Student / Graduate Student
Members.
• Each team represents its student branch or similar
group.
• Each team is sequestered and given a period of time to
prepare a presentation and defense of an ethical
situation provided by the sponsor.
• Each team’s presentation / defense will be judged by a
group of 3 to 6 judges using a standardized judging
form.
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IEEE Student Ethics Competition
Sponsor Responsibilities
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Contact EMCC for funding approval
• Set date/location for competition
• Provide event plan details
• Request funding approval
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Organize and advertise the competition
Select judges
Notify EMCC of participants prior to competition
(for certificates)
Notify EMCC of results (winners)
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IEEE Student Ethics Competition
Recommendations
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Schedule a Student Ethics Competition in your Region,
Section and/or Chapter
• Access Guidelines and Requirements
• Select an IEEE program/venue that will attract sufficient student
involvement
• Establish a management team and panel of judges
• Select a case from the EMCC portfolio or produce your own
• Notify EMCC of plans and request funding approval to the
SEC Coordinator at ethics@ieee.org
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IEEE Award for
Distinguished Ethical
Practices
Description of the award: An Institute-level award for
(a) exemplary ethical behavior / practices and/or
(b) persuasive advocacy or promotion of ethical
behavior / practices.
• Eligibility: Members of the IEEE and organizations
that employ IEEE members.
• Nomination Deadline: 1 July
• Nominations reviewed by Award Selection
Committee
• Approved by the EMCC and Board of Directors
• Online Nomination Form & Information Available at:
http://www.ieee.org/go/ethicsaward
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2008
IEEE Ethics and Member Conduct
Committee
Charles E. Hickman, Chair
Janet Bradley
Patricia Daniels
Marion O. Hagler
Joseph R. Herkert
Juan C. Miguez
Mark O’Malley
Maria I. Valla
Daniel S. Yeung
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Contact/Web Information
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Email: ethics@ieee.org
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to make inquiries or
to request resource materials
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booth
brochures
Web:
http://www.ieee.org/ethics
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