The Rock Ethics Institute promotes engaged ethics research and ethical leadership from its home in Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts.

The Rock Ethics Institute promotes engaged ethics research and ethical leadership from its home in Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts.

Research

The Rock Ethics Institute’s research areas integrate ethical considerations into interdisciplinary scholarship at Penn State. Select a research area below to learn more or view all.

The Rock Ethics Institute is accepting applications for its 2027–28 Faculty Fellows Program. The deadline to apply is Nov. 8. The institute anticipates awarding two fellowships, each providing a one-course release from teaching during the academic year to support ethics-related research.

Published 2 days ago

Five Penn State scholars affiliated with the Rock Ethics Institute will participate in an international workshop Oct. 20-22 in Freiburg, Germany, launching a new collaboration with the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies. The workshop will explore ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, technology and sustainability, building on Penn State's longstanding strategic partnership with the University of Freiburg.

Published 2 days ago

Nora Reikosky has joined Penn State’s Rock Ethics Institute as assistant director, bringing a research agenda focused on the influence of private power on public institutions and a professional background spanning academia, education and the private sector.

Published 2 weeks ago

The College of IST recently announced the winners of its inaugural AI in Research Symposium. The event presented an opportunity for students and faculty to explore how AI is reshaping research and discuss how standards and practices might differ across academic communities.

Published 2 weeks ago

Two free lectures by internationally respected ethics experts highlight the public portion of “Media Challenges to Digital Flourishing,” a two-day symposium coordinated by the Donald W. Davis Program in Ethical Leadership Penn State and scheduled Oct. 22-23 on the University Park campus.

Published 4 weeks ago

Faculty member Patrick Plaisance in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications played a key role in revising the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, a widely recognized guide to ethical journalism.

Published 2 months ago

Sarah Brothers, assistant professor of sociology and public policy, is the recipient of the American Sociological Association’s inaugural Early Career Award for Community-Engaged Scholarship.

Published 4 months ago

The Penn State Smeal College of Business Business Ethics Team debuted at the McGill Desautels Business Ethics Case Competition earlier this semester, earning a first-place finish.

Published 6 months ago

Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute has announced the winners of the 2026 Stand Up Awards for Undergraduate Ethical Leadership.

Published 6 months ago

The Penn State community is invited to register for the inaugural Research Ethics Conference, to be held on Sept. 10. The one-day event is open to faculty, students, staff and postdoctoral scholars interested in exploring how research ethics shape the quality, credibility and impact of scholarly work across disciplines.

Published 6 months ago
There are currently no upcoming events. Please check again soon!