This summer intensive learning experience aims to engage undergraduates in some of the most important bioethics issues of the day. The program will stimulate students’ curiosity about bioethics, prepare them to think hard about the many bioethics challenges our society faces, and consider integrating bioethics into their career plans. Hastings Fellows and other experts in bioethics from around the nation and the world teach in this program.
The program is a week-long experience that will take place virtually from June 1-5, 2026. Students will develop skills in explaining and justifying their views on topics in bioethics, as well as learned how to listen with respect to divergent views. Sessions include lectures, group discussions, and small group exercises.
Program Leadership: Julia Kolak, PhD, HEC-C, Chair of the Summer Bioethics Program for Undergraduates
Click a day to view its schedule.
All times in US Eastern.
Mon, Jun 1
INTRODUCTION
What is Bioethics?
Patrick Smith, PhD
BREAK
Theoretical Foundations of Bioethics
Julia Kolak, PhD, HEC-C
BREAK
Disability Bioethics
Joe Stramondo, PhD
BREAK
Genetics, Ancestry, and Populations
Kimberlyn Ellis, PhD student
DEBRIEF
Tue, Jun 2
INTRODUCTION
Sociogenomics
Daphne Martschenko, PhD, MPhil
BREAK
Public Health & Environment Ethics
Kyle Ferguson, PhD
BREAK
Selected Topics in Reproductive Ethics
Faith Fletcher, PhD, MA
DEBRIEF
Wed, Jun 3
INTRODUCTION
Care Ethics and Philosophy of Technology
Mercer Gary, PhD
BREAK
Intro to Clinical Ethics
Adira Hulkower, JD, MS, HEC-C & Julia Kolak, PhD, HEC-C
BREAK
Selected Topics in Research Ethics
Julia Kolak, PhD, HEC-C
DEBRIEF
Thu, Jun 4
INTRODUCTION
The Ethics of Animals as Research Subjects and Ethical Issues in Xenotransplantation
Lisa Moses, VMD
BREAK
AI in Healthcare & Aging
Nancy Berlinger, PhD, MDiv
BREAK
Organizational & Community Ethics
Carolyn Neuhaus, PhD
BREAK
Community Building with Sadler Scholars
Donald Carter, DBe, MDiv, MBA, Blessing Adewuyi, MA, MSc, Jada Wiggleton-Little, PhD
Fri, Jun 5
INTRODUCTION
Writing lab
Susan Gilbert, Director of Communications, Hastings Center for Bioethics
BREAK
From Theory to Practice: Using Bioethics to Disrupt
Structural Inequality
Virginia Brown, MA, PhD
BREAK
Bioethics and the Law
Jacob Appel, JD, MD, HEC-C
BREAK
The Pitt in Practice: Emergency Medicine, Triage, and Advanced Directives
Joel Rowe, MD
Concluding Remarks and Farewell
