25.09.2024
Study Program – Building Ethical Research Skills
The Doctoral Academy’s Study Program combines rigorous academic training with dedicated writing and reflection time. Across the academic year, participants can flexibly take part in three core components: the Spring School on Experimental Methods, the Summer School on Normative Arguments and Practical Implications, and focused Writing Retreats.
Spring School “Experimental Methods” (Course Description)
Research on morality and business has flourished in recent years, offering both fascinating insights into how individuals and organizations behave and compelling arguments for how they should behave. The breadth of this field brings together diverse disciplines and methodologies – creating exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration but also posing challenges for young researchers who may be unfamiliar with certain empirical approaches.
This Spring School is designed to provide PhD scholars with a foundation in experimental research within normative contexts. Our goal is to equip participants – especially those with little to no empirical training (e.g., ethicists or philosophers) – with practical tools to begin designing and conducting their own experiments. At the same time, we aim to raise awareness among empirically trained researchers (e.g., economists or psychologists) of the unique challenges and ethical considerations that arise when applying empirical methods to normative questions.
Participants will be guided through the process of developing their own research ideas and experimental designs, with an emphasis on how to ask and answer questions with ethical and societal relevance. Beyond study design, the course also emphasizes the translation of findings into practice through collaboration with both academic researchers and practitioners.
Summer School “Normative Arguments and Practical Implications” (Course Description)
Research in business ethics is increasingly attentive to the intersection of theory and practice, raising questions not only about what makes for strong normative arguments but also about how such insights can shape organizational and societal life. This field thrives on its interdisciplinary nature – drawing on philosophy, economics, psychology, and management – yet this diversity can also pose challenges for PhD scholars navigating unfamiliar approaches and audiences.
The Summer School provides participants with the conceptual grounding to advance their work in business ethics and related fields. Through a combination of lectures, workshops, and peer discussions, participants reflect on what makes for compelling research questions, how normative work can generate real-world value, and how to communicate their findings to different audiences – from academic peers to practitioners and policymakers.
Writing Retreats (Description)
The Writing Retreats offer participants dedicated time and space to focus on their individual research projects in a concentrated yet collegial atmosphere. Held in a quiet setting conducive to writing and reflection, the retreats balance structured academic exchange with independent work.
The retreats typically include short sessions for peer feedback and discussions on challenges in the writing process – from structuring arguments and clarifying contributions to maintaining motivation and momentum. The goal of the retreats is to help participants make tangible progress on their dissertations.
Example Schedules (For orientation only)
Curious about what a typical academic week or writing retreat looks like? Below you can find a PDF with example schedules from a previous Spring and Summer School as well as a Writing Retreat of the Doctoral Academy. These examples illustrate the structure and types of sessions, so you know what to expect. Please note that the content, speakers, structure and timing may vary for each upcoming program.
Example Schedules
Participation Fee
Participation in the Doctoral Academy’s academic weeks and writing retreats involves a fee to cover accommodation and meals.
- Writing Retreat:€50.00 (net)
- Academic Week:€150.00 (net)
Included in the fee:
- Accommodation during the program week (Sunday till Thursday)
- Breakfast and Dinners
- Two shared lunches during the week
Not included:
- Travel costs to and from Wittenberg
