The Doctoral Academy, hosted by the WCGE and the Friede Springer Chair of Business Ethics and Management Accounting at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, is an interdisciplinary training and research community for doctoral candidates working on diverse questions of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability. The Academy is funded by the Karl Schlecht Foundation.
The Academy offers the following formats:
- Spring School „Experimental Research“, training doctoral researchers with experimental methods to investigate moral and ethical questions in business contexts (6 ECTS)
- Summer School „Normative Arguments and Practical Implications“, engaging with moral theory and its relevance for real-world decision-making (6 ECTS)
- Writing Retreats, providing space for structured feedback, peer exchange, and concentrated writing time
- Lunch & Learns, online sessions designed to foster exchange between established researchers and scholars while strengthening connections within the Academy‘s alumni network.
- Mini Grants, funding doctoral researchers to carry out empirical projects in business, corporate, or leadership ethics
- Scholar in Residence, inviting an established researcher for a four-to-six-week stay to contribute to Academy formats and share their current work
Key Dates for Upcoming Events
- 30 August - 03 September 2026: Summer School (Normative Arguments & Practical Implications)
- 06 - 10 December 2026: Writing Retreat
- 14 - 18 February 2027: Spring School (Experimental Research)
- 11 - 15 April 2027: Writing Retreat
- January, March, June & September 2027: Lunch & Learn
What Participants Gain
- Opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary academic courses
- Skill training on experimental research design
- A vibrant international community of emerging scholars committed to ethical inquiry and social impact
- Dedicated writing time and peer feedback on research projects
- Opportunities to network with scholars and practitioners
Doctoral Candidates
The program is aimed at PhDs, working on topics related to business or leadership ethics from all academic disciplines with a background in business administration, economics, philosophy, law or other relevant. Late-stage Master students with a clear interest in academia and early-stage career researchers are also welcome.