Arete Ethics Research Scholars

The Center for Ethics continues to sponsor the Arēte Ethics Scholars Program, which provides a range of research fellowships for scholars raising and exploring ethical questions in their field. 

With the permission of their Department Chair and Dean, current Emory employees in a tenure-track or teaching-track position may apply for one semester’s teaching leave. Faculty working in any discipline are welcome to apply, but it must be possible for them to have a complete leave of teaching for the semester in question. The Center will provide scholars with a dedicated office in a suite on the third floor of the 1462 Clifton Building (Dental School Building).

The schools in which the scholars reside will be compensated for the teaching reduction in accord with the faculty member’s typical semester load, ranging from 1 to 3 courses. Compensation is currently set at a rate of 12.5K per course. Teaching loads reduced by one course will generate a payment of 12.5K to the home school. Teaching loads reduced by two courses will generate a payment of 25K to the home school. Teaching loads reduced by three courses will generate a payment of 37.5K. If a faculty typical load involves an odd number of courses (e.g. 3 or 5), the leave will cover the smaller number of courses (e.g. 1 or 2).

Because the goal is to nurture a community of ethics scholars, fellowship recipients are expected to be in residence. (Parking will be paid for Scholars working at the Oxford campus.) Fellowship recipients also must present a work in progress talk in the Center for Ethics Research Seminar during their fellowship semester. 

Four fellowships in total will be awarded: two for the fall semester, two for the spring. If an applicant would like to use an office for the year because they also will be on leave for the other semester, please indicate this in your application. Room permitting, such requests can be accommodated, although without further compensation to the home school.

How To Apply

The application period for AY 25-26 is now open and completed applications are due by February 16th. Notifications will be sent by March 6th.

Applicants should provide the Center with a thorough description (maximum 1000 words) of the research question(s) they will pursue during their fellowship.  It is essential that applicants clearly articulate {a} the ethical question animating their project, {b} the central value terms involved, e.g. fairness or courage, and {c} and any rival approaches to that question that they expect to engage. Preference will be given to projects that consider and engage a diverse range of views on the ethical questions animating their research.

Submit completed applications to jlysake@emory.edu.