Ethics Education

The Institute for Ethics & Society (IES) provides leadership in ethics education across The University of Notre Dame Australia, as well as delivering professional ethics training and consultancy to groups outside the University.

Our approach to ethics education draws on our research expertise in moral philosophy and ethics education and is informed by the Catholic intellectual tradition, especially its focus on the virtues and the cultivation of good character.

Ethics Education at Notre Dame

The IES serves the University by supporting and informing the teaching of ethics in partnership with the Schools, including Medicine, Nursing, Law, Business and Education. We work alongside faculty to foster the ethical development of students, ensuring they can address moral issues of professional and social import. IES researchers regularly deliver guest lectures and provide curriculum consultancy. Recent projects include collaborating with the Sydney School of Medicine and the School of Philosophy and Theology on the development of the new Master of Bioethics program.

Ethics Education Beyond the University

The IES provides professional ethics training and consultancy to clients outside the University. We have a track-record of successful and diverse engagements. In recent years the IES has worked with government, commercial businesses, not-for-profits, schools and healthcare providers.

IES Director Professor John Lippitt also has significant experience in this area, having led a major project around police ethics in the UK prior to coming to Notre Dame.

Embedding Ethics Education in the UK police

IES Director Professor John Lippitt also has significant experience in ethics training with groups outside the university, having led a major project around police ethics in the UK prior to coming to Notre Dame.

Policing situations present an array of complex ethical challenges. Hertfordshire Constabulary took an informed and strategic approach to ethics training across its organisation, engaging Professor Lippitt to lead the implementation of embedding the national Police Code of Ethics for England and Wales in its force.

Professor Lippitt provided expert advice on matters of interpretation to the Hertfordshire Constabulary Ethics Committee and Ethics, Equality and Integrity Board, as well as advice on how to effectively communicate aspects of the Code to the workforce. He ran a series of exercises for senior officers within the force, around such matters as the ethics of authorising use of covert resources.

Professor Lippitt’s work culminated in a research-informed series of videos on ethical topics including character and virtues in policing and the ethical risks arising from various forms of cognitive bias. Professor Lippitt was also invited to address the national Police Ethics Guidance Group on his work with Hertfordshire Constabulary.