We invite applications to attend the Empirical Bioethics Summer School, in Amsterdam on 23rd -26th June 2025

Following the success of our Empirical Bioethics Summer and Winter Schools in 2022 and 2023, we are organising another summer school in empirical bioethics research in June 2025. The programme will run over four days.

It is organised by Jonathan Ives (University of Bristol), Michael Dunn (National University of Singapore),  Jan Schildmann (MLU Halle-Wittenberg), Bert Molewijk (Amsterdam UMC & VU university).).

Feedback from the 2023 and 2024 Schools

"Aside from the actual knowledge gained in the EB summer school, it was lovely to meet the conveners and the other participants. I think for me it has been a rather lonely field and getting to see others working in the field was very encouraging. Hoping for long and fruitful engagements with everyone that I met"

"An inspiring and open atmosphere... which created the best conditions for learning. Also, the way it was structured with the division of topics in the three days felt very consequential - with one step logically leading to the next one."

"It was very topical (exactly what the doctor ordered) and addressed exactly the right questions I had going into the summer school. The hosts also went out of their way to make everyone comfortable (by hosting a dinner and providing lunch and coffee) and to accommodate our learning needs (even though the training agenda had already been pre-set."

"I loved the exchange with other scholars who are at the same stage as I am, because that is beneficial for current challenges and future possibilities. I also loved the whole framework for the content. It followed a good logic and gave me finally the impression of actually working in an established discipline." 

"The organisation of the whole school was fantastic, the content was well thought through and encouraged personal and group reflection. A real strength was the international reach and the ability to form connections with peers. I have found that connections made during the School have led to continued conversations and opened opportunities for new collaborations. I also really valued the in depth, practical experiences of the presenters/organisers. Throughout I felt able to share openly in a supportive, collegial space."

"I am very glad that I was able to take part at the EB winter school. It helped me a lot to define my own research project, which will probably be the first (integrated) empirical-ethical PhD project in my country. I am aware of many challenges that I am going to face on my journey, but as I know that I am not alone in such struggles and that there are already resources to help me with my research, I believe that I will manage to provide some valuable conclusions at least for my specific context. Thank you a lot for organizing the winter school, I hope that one day there will be an 'advanced EB school'!"

"This was a fantastic training opportunity with a wonderful array of expert speakers who really helped us to dig deeply into empirical bioethics methodology - allowing a critical evaluation of both the practicalities and the challenges. The content felt very relevant to my current research and I came away with a lot of directly applicable insights and learning. The course provided a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow researchers from around the world and to learn from their work. There was also a really friendly and supportive atmosphere throughout."

Who is the Summer School for?
The Summer School is designed to be a beginner/intermediate level course, aimed at researchers who have some familiarity with empirical bioethics already (either through previous introductory training, engagement with the literature, or through some (limited) practice).  Whilst it is open to all, in the event that we are oversubscribed, priority will be given to applicants at that level.

As the Summer School will cover much of the same content as previous events, attendees at our previous Schools should not apply. The language of the Summer School will be English.

How will applications be assessed?
Applications will be assessed by the organising team, and in the event that we are oversubscribed they will ranked based on how much we think you will benefit from attending and how much your attendance will add to the experience of other attendees - so please do take care to explain this clearly when filling out the form. 

What does the Summer school include?
Day 1 will focus on understanding what empirical bioethics is and exploring typologies of empirical bioethics.  It will include talks from experienced empirical bioethics researchers about their own journey into the field, and it will give attendees an opportunity to present their own work (in breakout groups) and identify and agree on key learning outcomes for the school.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided, and there will be a welcome dinner in the evening (free to attend).

Day 2 will explore the design of empirical bioethics research projects and consider what kinds of empirical research methods can be used.  We will focus on how to carry out and incorporate qualitative research into empirical bioethics research and undertake a practical exercise.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided, but you will need to arrange you own evening meal.

Day 3 will focus on the varied methodological approaches to integrating empirical methods with ethical analysis, and the challenges associated with these approaches. It will include experienced empirical bioethics researchers giving 'lessons from the field'. The day will finish with a question and answer session. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, but you will need to arrange you own evening meal.

Day 4 will have a student project focus, looking at your own work and your projects, with the opportunity for small group discussion to put your learning into practice. Lunch will be provided.

The cost for this event is €395, and you will need to fund your own travel and accommodation. We are starting the first day at 1000 and ending the last day at 1500, so that it will be feasible for many attendees to travel on the same day, reducing accommodation costs.

We hope to have some funding for bursaries for participants from lower and middle income countries, up to the value of €500. You can apply for these when you apply for a place on the Summer school,  Please note, a bursary is not guaranteed, and depends upon availability.

How do I apply?

Please complete this application form 

NOTE: The deadline of application for the Summer School is 15th January 2025.

You will be notified asap if we have selected the candidates (probably the beginning of February).