Justice-Embedded Requirements Engineering for System Design

Abstract The clean-energy transition provides a unique opportunity to design a more just energy system. This paper introduces the Justice-Embedded Requirements Engineering (JERE) Process—an iterative process made to enable engineers to consider concepts of justice in their design of next-generation technologies, with a focus on energy technologies. To assess the JERE Process, five teams (n = 12) applied it to a project of their choosing and provided feedback through surveys and focus groups. JERE was found to elicit helpful conversations among teams and provide a structure for systematic engagement with justice considerations. Student researchers (n = 7) generally found JERE to be more usable, appealing, and impactful compared to professional participants (n = 5). Yet, overall, participants found the JERE tool prototype to be relatively difficult to use and found the length of the JERE Process and workshops challenging. Feedback from participants led to an updated version of the JERE Process that is simpler and modular. This study highlights difficulty engineers and researchers may face when attempting to practically embed justice principles in their technical design work and can assist those attempting to ensure technical solutions can support the goals of a more just, clean-energy system.