zoom snapshot of 25 participants

Hastings Center News

Learning and Career Development Were “A-game”

Race and genetics research, the ethics of AI, disability bioethics, and rural health care access were among the broad range of topics covered during The Hastings Center’s third annual Summer Bioethics Program in June. The weeklong online program is for undergraduate students from groups that are underrepresented in bioethics, including communities of color, Indigenous communities, residents of rural areas, and people with disabilities.

Twenty undergraduates from American colleges and universities were selected through a competitive application process to participate this year. Faculty included Hastings Center fellows, staff, and other experts. 

Hastings Center fellows Faith Fletcher and Stephen Latham co-chaired the 2024 program, working with Hastings Center senior research scholar Nancy Berlinger, research associate Danielle Pacia, and project managers and research assistants Sana Baban and Briana Lopez-Patino.

One of the sessions, Community Building with Sadler Scholars, featured four of The Hastings Center’s Sadler Scholars, a select group of doctoral students with research interests in bioethics who are from racial or ethnic groups underrepresented in disciplines relevant to bioethics.  Berlinger, who runs this initiative, moderated the session.

At the end of the program, the students completed an evaluation. Among their comments:

“Learning and career development was on its A-game.”

“It was an incredible experience and helps give those of us who might not have as many resources or opportunities a great platform in bioethics.”

“GREAT!! I wish it was longer.”

“I loved the program and would recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in bioethics.”

The Summer Bioethics Program is part of The Hastings Center’s efforts to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive bioethics community. The 2024 program was funded by internal Hastings Center support, including the Emily Murray Fund and the Harriet S. Rabb Fund for a More Inclusive Bioethics. Read more about the topics explored in the 2024 program, the faculty, and the students.