Purpose of ICE
The Institute for Contemporary Ethics aims to produce research on contemporary issues in ethics from a philosophical perspective. Based in the Global South, we endeavour to focus on African issues while remaining globally relevant.
The vision of ICE is to be the foremost African institute for the provision of research and practical applications to the complex challenges affecting our societies, lives and environments. Our mission is to find more ethical ways to live meaningful, just lives.
To align the research of ICE, where possible, with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals. This is in line with the NWU's Transformative Agenda that seeks to enhance societal relevance by strengthening viability, global reach and long-term impact of our research. ICE further shares the commitment of the UN SDG's in addressing pressing ethical challenges to sustainable development.
Responsibilities and objectives of ICE
The Institute for Contemporary Ethics has the responsibility and objectives for the following:
To understand the nature of contemporary ethics,
To enhance the quality of the teaching and learning of ethics in the School of Philosophy and linking this to research and discussions on contemporary ethics,
To develop possible short courses on contemporary ethics and present them in the School of Philosophy with the aim of strengthening graduate attributes, as well as academic, professional and practical knowledge and skills as set out in the Teaching and Learning Strategy of the North-West University,
To seek ways of strengthening teaching and learning in the school of Philosophy by linking TL more directly to research and scholarship through, for example, short- and longer-term SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching of Learning) exercises that gather information about how ethics research facilitates student learning; and strategic collaboration with non-HE (higher education) partners.
To assist in the development of teaching and learning curriculums and study guides within the School of Philosophy, but also in the NWU and broader academic context to enhance TL on contemporary ethics, with the aim of providing students with tools that are outcomes-oriented and can prepare them for the unique set of challenges and opportunities presented by the twenty-first century.
To engage with posthuman ethical questions which include but are not limited to the ecological crisis and the co-imbrication of society and technology,
To engage with indigenous and African ethical perspectives and practices,
To integrate local knowledge with global dialogues on ethics,
To create a hub for trans- and interdisciplinary research with an ethics focus.
To report back on work to FAST (Focus Area Social Transformation) and the School of Philosophy at its scheduled meetings.
To apply for grants and other external funding.
To organise workshops, webinars and conferences (and other forums) on Contemporary Ethics.
To invite visiting professors and other researchers to participate in research projects and contract them for specific research outputs and tasks as needed.
To publish research outputs in academic journals, books and other platforms.
To serve the NWU academic community and the wider society with expert advice and research on contemporary ethical issues.
Authority
The Institute for Contemporary Ethics reports on its proceedings to the School of Philosophy and the Focus Area Social Transformation, which report to the Humanities Research, Innovation and Ethics Committee (RIEC) as a standing committee of the Faculty of Humanities.