Research

The Center facilitates many kinds of research.
We function as a catalyst for new research into the ethical conflicts and challenges facing all professions and disciplines. This interdisciplinary approach is the key to shattering barriers that limit resolution of the major moral issues of our time. To this end, the Center encourages collaboration among academic disciplines and with practitioners and professionals in the community. Collaborative research opens new avenues for creating common ground and a comprehensive understanding of values. The Center aims to advance progress on the complex ethical issues in all areas of scholarly research and on the practical application of values.

We offer grants for faculty projects.
Each year, our “Faculty Grants in Ethics” program gives financial and administrative assistance to faculty members for research. These projects include ethics–related lectures, debates, workshops, journal clubs, reading groups, and development of new courses that take an interdisciplinary perspective.

Since this program began in 2003 the Center has awarded 38 faculty grants for projects in business, engineering, law, medicine, social work, and Arts & Sciences. Projects funded include:

“On Politics, Ethics and Society”
An interdisciplinary workshop on political and social theory. Addresses how people value such collective enterprises as families, government or religion. Devoted to ongoing research by faculty, graduate students and others from outside the University.
Faculty: Andrew Rehfeld, Ph.D., Political Science, Arts & Sciences.

“The Ethical and Legal Norms Governing Ethnobotanical Research in Developing Countries”
An interdisciplinary faculty and student series that discusses these emerging norms and evaluates their impact on academic field research.
Faculty: Charles McManis, J.D., School of Law.

“Symposium on the Ethics of Genetic Testing in Dementing Illness”
A symposium bringing together medical faculty, students and members of the community to discuss the ethical issues inherent in the increased availability of genetic testing for family members of early–onset familial dementia patients.
Faculty: John Morris, M.D., School of Medicine.

“The project I was involved with consisted of a lecture series in the spring of 2004 that dealt with the impact that increasing economic inequality in the U.S. has upon various aspects of society—which included a number of ethical implications. Speakers came from around the country and from a variety of academic disciplines. I approached the Center for funding because it was the only source that provided resources for this type of project. Currently, I am working on a book that looks at the rising level of economic inequality in America and how it is undermining our basic principles of liberty, democracy, equality of opportunity and justice. The thinking and ideas behind this book were spurred on as a result of this project. One of the most important issues facing American society today is the rising level of economic inequality that has been occurring over the past 30 years. Addressing the implications and ramifications of this trend is critical in thinking about the future of America. Without a doubt, it is vital that Washington University have a center that encourages thinking and scholarship around the multitude of ethical and value issues confronting us today. The Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values encourages the University community to critically grapple with some of the most difficult and challenging topics facing America and the wider world. As a result, we are in a better position to create positive social change in the future. And that, after all, is what a university should ultimately strive for.”

Mark R. Rank, Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work and a Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values grant recipient, and a member of the Center’s Executive Committee

Individual students benefit from our support.
Our “Student Stipends in Ethics” program, provides grants to undergraduate and graduate students for summer projects related to ethics or human values. Students submit a strategic plan and a faculty member mentors their projects. Students are encouraged to think broadly about their topics, and design a format that best suits their proposed outcome. Since the program began in 2004, the Center has awarded fourteen student grants. These ethics awards have supported student projects in:

“Feminism, Multiculturalism and the Limits of Political Liberalism”
How should a society, governed by liberal–democratic principles, deal with the traditions of cultural minorities that violate the rights of women in those minority groups?
Sophie Fortin, graduate student, Philosophy, Arts & Sciences.

“Documentary of a University City Restaurant Protest Demonstration”
Christina Cosio, undergraduate student, College of Art.

“In 2004, my project was a documentary video on the civil rights movement in University City, an inner suburb of St. Louis. Originally, I conceived of the video as a project for my sculpture major and had never thought of looking beyond traditional art funders for support. However, when I read that the Center was offering a research award and was interested in all types of proposals, I was more encouraged. It was great to hear that they didn’t just want papers and PowerPoint presentations! The Center gave me a chance to combine my love of history and research with my passion for art.

Not only did they provide money for materials and equipment, but they also gave me structure, support and motivation. It’s hard for me to express how grateful I am to the Center for their support. It’s a pleasure to know that Washington University has a Center that sponsors independent research and projects that may not fit within the limitations of coursework. And, of course, it’s always nice to know that other people find my work interesting and worthwhile, too!”
Christina Cosio, 2005 graduate and a 2004 summer stipend recipient

“A Report on Ethical Issues in Social Work Training among Master’s of Social Work Students at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work”
This survey of first and second–year MSW students examined their perceptions of ethical issues and their competency in making ethical decisions and helped to determine the need for more ethical training.
Caroline Savitzky and Eric Waithaka, graduate students, George Warren Brown School of Social Work.

“Development and Implementation of Integrated Creative Marketing Campaigns for a Non-profit Educational Organization, Project Appleseed”
Joseph Sullivan, dual–degree undergraduate student, Schools of Art and Business.

“In summer 2005, I received a grant to work with Project Appleseed, a local not–for–profit organization that recruits public school parents to take on leadership roles in the schools As part of my senior thesis in Visual Communications, I had already created a hypothet-ical marketing campaign for this group; then, using my summer grant, I worked directly with Kevin Walker, the president of Project Appleseed, to find ways to implement these ideas. Using my business background and my creative background in advertising design, I executed a “guerilla marketing” campaign through inexpensive and non–traditional media. Included in the campaign are a 30–second Internet spot to be used as an attachment to the Project Appleseed newsletter and a display at local grocery stores.

Without the stipend, I wouldn’t have had time to do what I did, and it was definitely a step forward for the organization.”
Joseph Sullivan, 2005 graduate and a 2005 summer stipend recipient

“Understanding and Aiding South Africa’s Efforts to Advocate on Behalf of Children”
In this project, the student interned at the Children’s Rights Centre in Durban and wrote a research paper for publication explaining South Africa’s approach to child advocacy.
Heather Woods, graduate student, School of Law.

“Development of a Cancer Pain Inventory”
This inventory aided the student in planning to help assess how patients’ beliefs about cancer pain may inhibit their discussion of the experience of pain with their physician.
Laura M. Seger, undergraduate student, Biomedical Engineering.