Reflective Essay: Engineering Ethics and Indigenous Australians

This reflective essay explores the historical and contemporary treatment of Aboriginal Australians, focusing on the intersection of engineering ethics and cultural sensitivity. The essay utilizes the DIEP framework (Describe, Interpret, Evaluate, Plan) to analyze the challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including issues related to healthcare, education, and employment. The author reflects on their personal learning experience and the importance of understanding cultural values in engineering practices. It highlights the struggles of Aboriginals, the impact of technological advancements, and the need for ethical considerations in design, construction, and manufacturing. The essay emphasizes the importance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives and promoting ethical practices to foster a more inclusive and equitable society. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, ethical conduct, and the application of acquired knowledge in future professional endeavors.

Reflective essay on Aboriginals

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Aboriginals are defined as person or things of race that are occupied to particular territory
(Brimblecombe and et. al., 2013). This reflective writing is based on DIEP framework where
there is impact upon engineers due to treatment of indigenous Australia people. The engineering
innovation and ethics is very important for aboriginals people.
MAIN BODY
Describe
When I was given an assignment to write reflection on treatment of Indigenous
Australian people, I remembered protest for celebration of Australia day which reflected
individual respect towards nation. This report can help me a lot to learn something new about
people and countries by doing research from different websites. This is actual situation which
has been face by Indigenous Australia people in past decade and improve themselves and
situation with change in time and situation. Being engineer, it was totally new topic for me to
understand their issues and problem in order to get accurate solutions. While I started report, I
was blank that from where to start and completed it. As I goes on researching various new things
has been learnt by me. According to 2010, Indigenous population constitute 3% of total
population of Australia where 745000 identify them as Aboriginal. With change in time, there
are only 117000 people in 20th century. While doing this report, I being engineer came to know
about various struggle which people of Indigenous has faced during that time period. As

technology kept on changing with change in time and situation which has improve life of those
people. As an engineer, I analyse changes made in various sectors such as nutrition and health
care, education, employment and other which has improve life of people and country (The
quality of life for Indigenous Australians in the 21st century, 2019).
Interpret
The Indigenous Australian people, living in rural areas, face high mortality, stress, low
birth, heart failure, and many other diseases. In 2012-13, it is reported that one in eight
Indigenous Australian people were facing problem of cardiovascular disease that was 1.2 times
higher than Non - Indigenous Australia people. There was high child infection that leads to poor
standards of domestic and personal hygiene. Due to lack of proper food and hygiene there was
high rate of death. With change in mind of society, Indigenous Australian people started getting
all types of facilities such as proper food, doctor, medical and hospital to live happy and free life.
In case of education, I analysed that Indigenous Australian people were given poor education.
According to a data of 2010, only 35.9% of Indigenous Australia people were completed senior
secondary education or high degrees. There was vast difference between Indigenous Australian
people and Non - Indigenous Australian people. Prior one were not treated in proper and
effective manner. Being an engineer, I need to bring changes in those sectors so that all
individuals will be benefited. In 2017 National Indigenous Reform Agreement started working
on improving and enhancing education system for Indigenous Australian people by providing
better school attendances, improving reading and writing. In 21st century, they started to provide
scholarship programs, financial support and others to Indigenous Australia people. With change
in mentality of people, they started providing all facilities to each and every people of
aboriginals. Similarly, in case of employment sector, the Indigenous Australian people did not
like Non- Indigenous Australia people. They does not provide employment to those individuals.
Thus, with change in time, the education system, employment and health and nutrition care for
Indigenous Australian people improved country's economic growth. It is very important to
perform activities ethically as it develop a positive culture in whole nation.
Evaluate
According to my experience I had less knowledge about culture and tradition of
Australia. There are many individuals who do not prefer to talk with Aboriginals. This creates
negative impact on complete society. As it is not good to make discrimination between

Indigenous and Non- Indigenous people. With advancement, Indigenous Australian people got
opportunity to avail education which help them to became doctors, engineers and teacher to help
others. Progress of nation is possible through development of technology and science. These are
made by Indigenous Australian people after getting education from schools, colleges and
university. As engineering innovation added value to traditions, practices and believes. The
engineers are responsible for ethical practices. According to my opinion, Indigenous Australian
people are very attached and emotional towards culture, lands. The construction, design and
manufacturing should follow practices and characteristics of Indigenous Australia people. These
people never step back from their job responsibilities & role and give their best to by performing
well. Aboriginals should connect themselves with new technology and advancement. This report
has made me clear understanding about Indigenous Australian people and their lifestyle. As they
believe in ethics and culture, they wouldn't do anything unethical specially if the work is relating
to engineering field.
Plan
Acquiring new knowledge is important for continuous and quick career growth. At the
time of working on this project, I learnt about ethics that are needed to be followed by every
engineer. In order to work on latest technology it is important to understand the culture which is
prevailing in the society. This project provided me ample of knowledge about indigenous
Australians and it is going to assist me in my academics and professional life also. In future, I
can easily work with indigenous Australians as I am aware of all their past and present
conditions. Knowledge of ethics will stop me from going on wrong track, it will help me
avoiding legal trouble which is a big issue in jobs relating to engineering. I can also use
information, acquired through secondary research, at the time of exams as it will improve my
marks and quality of answers.
CONCLUSION
From above report, it can be summarise Indigenous Australia people has grown through
tough situation in order to get equal treatment like other people living in particular place.
Indigenous Australia people themselves manage everything with help of engineers and follows
ethical values and principles for better result achievement. Thus, it is necessary to achieve result
by following ethical values and principles in better way.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brimblecombe, J. K. and et. al., 2013. Characteristics of the community‐level diet of Aboriginal
people in remote northern Australia. Medical Journal of Australia. 198(7). pp.380-384.
G Schwab, R. and Kral, I., 2012. Learning spaces: Youth, literacy and new media in remote
Indigenous Australia. ANU Press.
Glover, M. and Brown et. al., 2015. A systematic review of barriers and facilitators to
participation in randomized controlled trials by Indigenous people from New Zealand,
Australia, Canada and the United States. Global health promotion. 22(1). pp.21-31.
Moore, S. P. and et. al., 2015. Cancer incidence in indigenous people in Australia, New Zealand,
Canada, and the USA: a comparative population-based study. The Lancet Oncology.
16(15). pp.1483-1492.
Stoeckl, N. and et. al., 2013. An integrated assessment of financial, hydrological, ecological and
social impacts of ‘development’on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in northern
Australia. Biological Conservation. 159. pp.214-221.
Online
The quality of life for Indigenous Australians in the 21st century. 2019. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-quality-of-life-for-Indigenous-
Australians-in-the-21st-century-2109242>.