Institute for Ethics & Society
Thank you for your enquiry.
Our approach to professional ethics is unique
Located within The University of Notre Dame Australia, the Institute for Ethics & Society is a public-facing research institute, which aims to translate research outcomes into accessible and useful resources for industry.
The Institute values the insight and rigor of academic research and has developed considerable expertise in the field of professional ethics education that is practical and actionable for businesses. It is from this research that The University of Notre Dame Australia offers programs which support organisations to effectively address ethical issues and build robust ethical cultures.
We are committed to training leaders for ethical practice
Questions of ethical leadership, the distinction between compliance and professional ethics, and the challenge organisations face in prioritising ethical pathways in a competitive marketplace are addressed in the Institute for Ethics & Society’s training programs. Our expertise is grounded in three unique areas:
Academic research: The Institute for Ethics & Society has research strengths in normative ethics and in applied and professional ethics, including business ethics, bioethics and healthcare ethics. We also specialise in the history of moral philosophy, the philosophy of character and virtue ethics, and in ethics education for the professions.
International collaborations: Our research and practice in professional ethics draws from leading researchers and innovators around the world.
Track-record of successful and diverse professional engagements: The Institute has been engaged to deliver ethics education training and consultancy by Government, commercial businesses and not-for-profits within a diverse range of industries.
.
“We believe institutions can prosper in a new age of accountability. Drawing on leading academic research in applied ethics, we work with organisations across society to foster greater ethical awareness in professional life.”
Dr John A. Rees (PhD, UNSW)
Director of the Institute for Ethics & Society and
Associate Professor of International Relations
Enquire now
Contact the Institute for Ethics & Society
at ies@nd.edu.au
Professional Ethics Training Packages
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
The program is ideal for:
- Senior Managers
- Executive teams
- Board of Directors
- Leadership development programs
Our Ethical Leadership program offers a training package for leaders and aspiring leaders within professional sectors. The program draws on academic research on the cultivation of good character to provide leaders with new insights into the nature of ethical leadership. In particular, moral philosophy and moral psychology have made significant contributions to understanding how virtues of character can be developed.
This program equips participants with tools and resources that facilitate their development as ethical leaders. It emphasises the cultivation of character traits such as wise judgment, discernment, self-understanding, integrity, and generosity, and their relevance to ethical leadership.
Read more...
Outcomes include:
- Understanding the character traits requisite for good ethical leadership
- Assessment of personal ethical leadership standards, style and needs
- Introduction to a 12-month ethical leadership cultivation tool
Mode of delivery includes:
Interactive seminar and workshop involving small group exercises and discussion.
Length
The training package can be delivered in a number of ways:
- Two-hour workshop
- Four-hour workshop
- Full Training Day
Additional offering
An optional addition to this program is the opportunity for ongoing one-to-one leadership coaching and mentoring.
FOSTERING ETHICAL &
PROFESSIONAL CULTURE
FOSTERING ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL CULTURE
The program can be adapted for different professional contexts and is of benefit to:
- Organisations dealing with substantial and persistent ethical disagreement within the workplace; with a breakdown in professionalism; with unethical conduct or with an ethical challenge that effects both their public standing and that of an entire industry sector.
- Organisations wishing to position themselves as industry leaders in building a mature and ethical organisational culture, ensuring best practice in ethics and responding comprehensively to the demands of professionalism.
This program offers a training package for improving the ethical and professional practice and culture within workplaces. The program normalises the practice of robust ethical argument and discussion at work, and the fundamental role ethical reflection plays within professional life.
Participants are equipped with a specific set of tools and resources which enable them to address ethical issues within their organisations effectively and with integrity.
Drawing on academic research on the nature and role of a professional, the program develops participants’ capacities to positively affect ethical practice within their organisations.
Read more...
Outcomes include:
- Improved ethical literacy and awareness
- Improved capacity to act on ethical decisions within complex organisational contexts
- An understanding of the centrality of ethics and professional life
- Improved ethical culture
Mode of delivery includes
Interactive seminar and workshop involving small group exercises and discussion.
Length
The training package can be delivered in a number of ways.
- Two-hour workshop
- Four-hour workshop
- Full Training Day
Additional offering
An optional addition to this program is the opportunity for ongoing one-to-one leadership coaching and mentoring.
ETHICAL DECISIONS & GOOD LIVES
ETHICAL DECISIONS & GOOD LIVES
This program will be of interest to organisations who are looking for a way to learn the fundamentals and it is suitable for:
- Professionals who are active self-directed learners
- Workplaces and community groups experiencing ethical problems looking to commence discussion amongst personnel
This training program introduces philosophy and practical ethics. It aims to:
- Explain the basic concepts of a good life and an ethical decision;
- Explore the various substantial theories and the history of ethics in the Western tradition.
The program allows participants to think about ethical ideas for themselves and in light of the convictions they bring to the class. The course is focussed on allowing participants to explore and understand two fundamental topics: a good life and an ethical decision. Often an interest in this course will be in response to a professional or personal crisis, or developing an interest in national debates about complex ethical issues.
Read more...
Outcomes include:
- Understanding fundamental ethical concepts and normative ethics theories
- Understanding the habits of ethical thinking and acting
Mode of delivery includes:
Interactive seminar, including: presentation content, small group exercises and discussion, and self-reflection exercises.
Length
The training package can be delivered in a number of ways.
- Two-hour workshop
- Four-hour workshop
- Full Training Day
Additional services
The Institute can also be engaged by commercial organisations to deliver tailored services, including:
- Keynote addresses at commercial and professional conferences
- Seminars and workshops on specific ethical issues
- Tailored advice
- Coaching and mentoring
SUPPORT RESEARCH IN ETHICS
Fellowships | Awards | Collaborative Research
The Institute for Ethics & Society is a national institute of The University of Notre Dame Australia which focusses on collaborative research projects. We curate three active research programs in the areas of Moral Philosophy & Ethics Education (including Professional Ethics), Bioethics & Healthcare Ethics, and Religion & Global Ethics. We foster ethical awareness in social and professional life through academic research, public engagement, and ethics education.
Your organisation can give back to the community by supporting Fellowships and Prizes programs and by partnering with us in Collaborative Research projects.
To find out more contact ies@nd.edu.au