Investigating Perceptions of the Social Responsibility of Scientists and Engineers

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Abstract With the rapid advancement of science and technology, attention to the social responsibility of STEM professionals has grown. This study explored perceptions of social responsibility among STEM college students in South Korea, Malaysia, and Indonesia, where emphasis on STEM education is increasing. Participants included 606 students from South Korea, 310 from Malaysia, and 223 from Indonesia. Using the Views of Social Responsibility of Scientists and Engineers (VSRoSE) instrument, we found minimal variation in average scores across countries for factors like human welfare (HUMAN), environmental sustainability (ENVIR), and societal risk consideration (CONSEQ), although Korean students scored lower in other factors. Indonesian students showed significant differences by major, with natural science students scoring higher. Gender differences emerged, with female students generally scoring higher in HUMAN and ENVIR factors across countries. These findings provide guidance for developing STEM education programs that foster social responsibility.