The University of Toronto's Embedded Ethics Education Initiative (E3I) has been honoured with the 2025 D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning, in recognition of its groundbreaking approach to integrating ethics into computer science education.
The E3I program, led by Professors Sheila McIlraith, Diane Horton, David Liu and Steven Coyne, embeds ethics modules directly into computer science courses, equipping students with the tools to navigate complex ethical issues in technology.
The Embedded Ethics Education Initiative (E3I) led by Professors Sheila McIlraith, Diane Horton, David Liu and Steven Coyne, won the 2025 D2L Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning.
Launched in 2020, E3I is the first program of its kind in Canada and one of the first globally. Today, it is a cornerstone of U of T’s computer science curriculum, with courses featuring E3I programming registering close to 10,000 students in the 2024–25 academic year.
The D2L Innovation Award, presented by the Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, celebrates excellence in collaborative teaching and learning across all disciplines in post-secondary education. This prestigious international award highlights innovative approaches that promote student-centred learning, making it a significant accolade for the E3I team.
This award follows the team’s recognition with the 2024 Northrop Frye Award (Team), one of U of T’s top Alumni Association Awards of Excellence.
In a joint statement, members of the E3I team expressed their pride in the initiative's impact: "Our goal has always been to empower students to incorporate ethical considerations into their work. This recognition underscores the importance of our mission."
Students have also felt the program's impact firsthand. Rayan Awad Alim, a fourth-year computer science specialist, shared, "The E3I modules have greatly influenced my perspective and shaped both my academic journey and professional experiences."
The real-world impact of E3I is evident in the testimonials from students who have applied what they learned in professional settings.
“As a student researcher handling sensitive medical data, the lessons from E3I have been invaluable,” said Mogtaba Alim, a fourth-year computer science specialist. “I've implemented more stringent measures for data security and privacy, directly influenced by what I learned in the ethics modules.”
The initiative’s multidisciplinary approach, developed and delivered by computer scientists and philosophers, ensures that ethical considerations are integrated into the technical curriculum. The modules encourage students to explore the potential repercussions of technology and technological design choices through the perspectives of different stakeholders, and to reflect on the trade-offs.
E3I is a collaborative venture between the Department of Computer Science and the Schwartz Reisman Institute for Technology and Society, in association with the Department of Philosophy.
By fostering a deeper understanding of ethics in technology, E3I is shaping the future of computer science education and ensuring that graduates are prepared to make responsible decisions in their careers.