Research & Dissemination
The Integrated Engineering Curricula initiative contributes to a growing body of research exploring curriculum transformation, engineering education, academic development and the changing competencies required of future engineers.
This collection brings together journal articles, book chapters and conference papers produced by members and collaborators of the IEC network. The publications reflect the project’s broader focus on developing responsive and integrated engineering curricula, strengthening educators’ capacity for change, and understanding engineering education within South African and wider global contexts.
Explore the publications below to learn more about the research, experiences and emerging practices informing the IEC initiative.
Journal Articles
Peer-reviewed research examining curriculum transformation, engineering education practice, academic leadership and the development of engineering educators and students.
Jiang, D., Smith, L., Hattingh, T., Guerra, A., & Du, X. (2026). ‘I am because we are’: unfolding role identity and tensions of South African middle leaders in engineering as change agents. Studies in Higher Education.
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Matemba, E., Smith, L., Wolff, K., Inglis, H., Mogashana, D., Jansen, L., et al. (2023). Reflecting on a community of practice for engineering education research capacity in Africa: who are we and where are we going? Australasian Journal of Engineering Education, 28(1), 74–84.
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Wolff, K., Hattingh, T., & Smith, L. (2025). Global challenges, local responses: Exploring curriculum reform in South African engineering education. Journal of Engineering Education, 114(3), e70006.
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Book Chapters
Contributions to edited academic publications exploring engineering education leadership, professional learning and systemic educational change.
Du, X., Smith, L., Naji, K. K., Sohoni, S., & Guerra, A. Academic Leadership for All: A Systems Thinking Approach to Pedagogical Development and Professional Learning for Engineering Educators.
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Conference Papers
Research and practice shared through national and international engineering education conferences, including IRSPBL, WEEF-GEDC and the Conference on Learning Factories.
Conference papers — CLF 2025
Hattingh, T., Matebese, B., Louw, L., Lourens, A., & du Plessis, C. (2025). Building Sustainable Learning Factories: Lessons from Four Case Studies in South Africa.
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Conference papers — IRSPBL 2025
Inglis, H., Matemba, E., & Mogashana, D. (2025). The Importance of Diverse Economic Contexts in African Student Success.
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Smith, L., Hechter, J., Ebersöhn, L., Swartz, B., & Direito, I. (2025). Rewiring from Within: Exploring how Participation in Curriculum Development Impacts Engineering Academics Professional and Personal Well-being.
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Smith, L., Tilley, E., Mitchell, J., Swartz, B., Wolmarans, N., & Hattingh, T. (2025). Towards Integrated Engineering Curricula: South African Case Studies in Context with UCL’s IEP Approach.
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Swartz, B. (2025). CREATE-ing New Perspectives: A Transformative Learning Approach to Sustainability in First-Year Engineering Education.
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Conference papers — WEEF-GEDC
Meeser, R., van Vuuren, D., & Wolff, K. (2025). Engineering Development: The Relationship Between Taking Art at School and Visualizing in Engineering.
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Smith, L., & Wolff, K. (2025). Scaling Influence: Examining Shared Leadership in a Multi-Institutional Team.
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Smith, L., Mogashana, D., & Swartz, B. (2025). Exploring Staff Belonging in Curriculum Transformation: Reflections from Change Makers.
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Swartz, B., Wolmarans, N., Mogashana, D., Clark, R., & Chimbatata, C. (2025). Decolonising Engineering Education through Locally Relevant Problem-Based Learning: A Reflective Analysis of the Bambasonke Design Challenge Toolkit Implementation.
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Wolff, K. (2024). You Are Not Alone! Collaborative Professional Development of the Engineering Educator Gaze.
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Wolff, K., & van Breda, L. (2023). The Complexity of Graduate Attributes in Engineering for Industry 4.0 Contexts.
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Wolff, K., & van Breda, L. (2025). Isn’t it Time We Told the Truth About Engineering Soft Skills?
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Forthcoming Publications & Resources
The IEC initiative continues to develop resources that translate research and experience into practical support for engineering educators and practitioners.
Transforming Engineering Curricula: Growing Educators’ Capacity for Systemic Change
A forthcoming collection exploring experiences, approaches and lessons emerging from engineering curriculum transformation. Twelve chapters are currently under review, with submission to publishers planned for November 2026.
Forthcoming publication
Twelve chapters are currently under review, with submission to publishers planned for November 2026.
Resources for EWB Practitioners
Additional resources for Engineers Without Borders practitioners are currently in development and will be made available here as they are released.
Forthcoming resources
Practical resources are currently in development and will be made available here as they are released.
Are You Ready to Transform?
We are still piloting this project in 2025, but we will open a call in October/November this year for anyone else that is interested in joining the next TTEE cohort and contributing to a national movement for transformative engineering education.