Sergio Guillen Grillo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering and Society at the University of Virginia, where he teaches Engineering Ethics, directs the UVA in Costa Rica study abroad program on renewable energy governance, and co-directs the Online Ethics Center. An engineer, scholar, educator, and peacebuilder, he has devoted more than four decades to demonstrating how engineering can serve society through ethical leadership, collaboration, and public engagement.
Throughout his career, Professor Guillen has worked across engineering, renewable energy, environmental peacebuilding, conflict resolution, labor dialogue, and…
Sergio Guillen Grillo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering and Society at the University of Virginia, where he teaches Engineering Ethics, directs the UVA in Costa Rica study abroad program on renewable energy governance, and co-directs the Online Ethics Center. An engineer, scholar, educator, and peacebuilder, he has devoted more than four decades to demonstrating how engineering can serve society through ethical leadership, collaboration, and public engagement.
Throughout his career, Professor Guillen has worked across engineering, renewable energy, environmental peacebuilding, conflict resolution, labor dialogue, and migrant human security. His interdisciplinary approach has shaped renewable energy development throughout Central America, strengthened environmental governance, advanced collaborative conflict resolution, and supported vulnerable communities through innovative public service initiatives. His work has brought together engineers, policymakers, governments, industry leaders, nonprofit organizations, and local communities to address complex societal challenges through dialogue and sustainable engineering solutions.
His commitment to engineering education reflects his belief that technical excellence must be accompanied by ethical responsibility. His teaching encourages students to think critically about the broader impacts of engineering decisions while developing the curiosity, empathy, and integrity necessary to become thoughtful professionals. Through innovative approaches to engineering ethics education, he inspires students to view engineering not only as a technical discipline, but also as a profession grounded in service, leadership, and responsibility to society.
