Special Events and Projects

SPECIAL PROJECTS

UM Ethics Programs and faculty contribute to a variety of special initiatives. This page itemizes them and provides links to their deliverables. (See also "Special Projects Archive" at end.)

• The Association for Practical & Professional Ethics (APPE) hosted a special “National Dialogue on the State of Research Integrity Training” Nov. 8-9, 2023, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC. The meeting led to this report: Improving Research Integrity: The Role of Accountability Across the Research Enterprise (2024). The event received subvention support from the Arsht Ethics Initiatives. Two UM graduate students served as rapporteurs. Learn more

• Schwartz Rounds | Schwartz Center Rounds are forums for all healthcare employees to openly and safely discuss difficult emotional issues that arise when caring for patients and their families. Learn more

• COVID-19 Ethics Resources | In conjunction with the Florida Bioethics Network, the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy has created a number of resources addressing the ethical challenges posed by the pandemic. Link to FBN COVID-19 resources. This includes a link to UM Pandemic Ethics Resources.
  
  
• The Moral Science Network | The Ethics Programs are a founding sponsor of an international effort to study and learn about the scientific bases of morality. Link to The Moral Science Network website. (See also the Moral Science Symposium special event, below.)
  
  
• BlueHealth | UM faculty provided ethics support to this European Union-sponsored initiative to study the links among urban blue spaces, climate and health. The project concluded in 2020. Link to BlueHealth website.

SPECIAL EVENTS  

The University of Miami Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy contributes to, supports and collaboratse on a variety of special events across the institution and in the community. This page provides an archive with links to event fliers and other materials.

• Meeting of the WHO Working Group on Clinical Ethics, The World Health Organization in collaboration with the UM Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, hosted a meeting in Miami to discuss the WHO Guidance for Clinical Ethics. Attendees joined from countries all over the world including: Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, and USA, January 15-16, 2025.
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• Ethics, Computer Science and Writing: The Challenge and Opportunity of Text Generation, UM's Ethics Programs have long studied ethics and information technology. This special event links the Ethics Programs, the Institute for Data Science and Computing and the University's new Department of Writing Studies on a panel to address challenges related to the explosive interest in — and use of — Artificial Intelligence programs that generate text and computer code. A multidisciplinary expert panel will review (i) concerns about using computers to write assignments, (ii) credible and interesting uses of text-generation programs and (iii) options for institutional responses and policies to address these issues, January 23, 2022.

• Abortion in Florida: A UM Town Hall, University of Miami faculty lead town hall in updates on current law, pending rulings and their effects on health care, education and reproductive rights, June 1, 2022.

• Special Film Event: Ethics, Safety & Sport, by Dr. Stephen Olvey, a pioneer in motorsport safety. His book, Rapid Response, has been made into a film. It was shown via Zoom and followed by a Q&A with Dr. Olvey, who talked about links between ethics and safety, December 7, 2021.
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• Moral Science Symposium, a meeting convened by Prof. Blaine Fowers to explore aspects of the scientific basis of morality; co-sponsored by UM Ethics Programs, Office of Research and the School of Education and Human Development's Department of Educational and Psychological Studies, April 16, 2019. 
  • Steering Committee and Symposium schedules
  • Videos of presentations
  • Is There Morality in Science? [news item]
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• Zika Policy in the Americas: Lessons learned for future vector-borne diseases, the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health Sciences, partnered on a special community forum on April 6, 2018, and the publication of a major report on October 1, 2018, on challenges posed by Zika in the hemisphere.

• Ethics for Lunch Series, an occasional series of seminars, generally conducted at University of Miami Hospital, led by Dr. Raúl de Velasco, and based on case studies in the literature. For more information, email ethics@miami.edu. 
  • Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say, March 22, 2017.
  • Genetics, Computing, Mentoring, Careers, April 19, 2017.
  • Refusing the Ethics Consultation, HCR Case Study, April 26, 2017.
  • Bad Words, July 26, 2018.
  • What I Really Wanted Before May Not Be What I Want Now, HCR Case Study, August 23, 2018.
  • Duty, Distress, and Organ Donation, HCR Case Study, October 25, 2018.

• Language Studies and Responsible STEM Research, by Anne Ruggles Gere, PhD, University of Michigan and Modern Language Association, Global attention to research intergrity has traditionally emphasized the empirical sciences. This emphasis overlooks both the role of writing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and --equally important -- research integrity in the humanities. This session addressed these roles, April 30, 2018.

• Medical Humanities Summer Institute, Bioethics Institute faculty and Humanities Pathway alumni participated in a public forum focused on the importance of the humanities for medical education and practice, May 19-20, 2017.
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• Reproducibility in Science: Writing, Data and the Growth of Knowledge, by keynote speaker Elizabeth Iorns, PhD, Founder and CEO of Science Exchange, and panel discussion. Presented by SEEDS You Choose Awards and the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy, April 24, 2017. 

• Zika 2017: Where Do We Go Next?, co-sponsored by the Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy and the Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, featuring presentations and interactive sessions focused on the role of ethics and deliberation to improve decision making in the response to Zika, April 6, 2017.
  • Still using mosquito repellent? Threat of Zika can fall on deaf ears  
  •  Agenda | Poster

• We Robot 2016, co-sponsor by Ethics Programs, April 1-2, 2016.

• Ethics in Education: A to Z, presented jointly by the Miami-Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, the University of Miami and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, a two-day conference for teachers, students, parents, educational administrators and concerned citizens covering major ethical issues at all levels of American education, May 1-2, 2015.

• Beyond Ebola: Ethics, Culture, & Health Diplomacy, co-sponsored by the School of Arts & Sciences: Departments of International Studies & Anthropology, and two student organizations: HealthCanes & United Against Inequities in Disease (UAID), March 30, 2015.

• Twitch: A Documentary Screening with Kristen Powers, by keynote speaker Kristen Powers, creator of Twitch, organized by the Center for Genomic Education and Outreach at the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, and the University of Miami Office of Civic and Community Engagement, March 20, 2015.

• American Eugenics: From Long Island to Auschwitz, Edwin Black, author, in conjunction with the College or Arts and Sciences' George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies and the Dr. M. Lee Pearce Chair in Middle East Peace Studies, February 23, 2015.

• "Medicine's Michelangelo" The Life & Art of Frank H. Netter, MD, presented by his daughter, Francine Mary Netter, January 20, 2015.

• Ethics and Decision Making, presentations by Ethics Programs Co-Director Anita Cava and Robert Meyers, Executive Director of the St. Thomas University Center for Ethics, for the Leonard Turkel Nonprofit Network. Co-sponsored by the UM School of Business Administration, School of Education and Human Development and Catalyst Miami, May 6, 2014.

• We Robot 2014, co-sponsored by Ethics Programs, April 4-5, 2014.

• 2014 Miami Kant Workshop, papers presented at the Department of Philosophy conference will be published as a collection of essays, On the Sensible and Intelligible Worlds: New Essays on Kant’s Metaphysics and Epistemology, by Oxford University Press. Student Activities Center and University Center, April 4-5, 2014.

• Ethics Policy and Society: New Thnking about the Ethics and Science of Male Contraception, by Margaret P. Battin, PhD, and Kirtly Parker Jones, MD, University of Utah.  Student Activities Center Main Ballroom, Coral Gables, March 17, 2014.

• Ethics & Society: A Speaker Series, by Ethics Programs, CITI, and Philosophy Department faculty starting. Organized by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, March 10, 2014.

• Racing to Justice: Ethical and Practical Considerations to Build an Inclusive Society, by John A. Powell, Director, Haas Diversity Research Center (HDRC), University of California, Berkeley. In Conjunction with MCCJ, Catalyst Miami, School of Education and Human Development, Office of Civic and Community Engagement, Department of Anthropology, and the School of Law, February 24, 2014.

• Sustaining Social Enterprises, by Jack Sim, Social Entrepreneur, November 20, 2013.
  

• Renovating the Brain: Reflections on Disability, Culture and Bioethics, by Jon Mukand, MD, PhD, Brown University, Tufts University and the Southern New England Rehabilitation Center, March 14, 2013.

• IBM’s Hidden Role in the Holocaust, by author Edwin Black, in conjuncion with The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies, February 8, 2013.

• Islam and Euthanasia, by Soroush Dabbagh, PhD, Visiting Fellow, Department of Historical Studies, University of Toronto Mississauga, February 7, 2013.

• The Deadly Effects of Corporate-Style ‘School Reform’: Challenging High-Stakes Testing and Other Impediments to Learning, by educator Alfie Kohn, in conjunction with the UM School of Education, the Children’s Trust and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, March 30, 2012.

• Ethics Film Series, sponsored by Adrienne Arsht, UM Ethics Programs, The School of Communication, and the University of Miami Alumni Association, 2009, 2011, 2012.  

• Engaging the Public in Addressing the Socio-economic Determinants of Health to Reduce Health Disparities, by Marion Danis, MD, Head of the NIH Section on Ethics and Health Policy, In conjunction with the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, March 21, 2012. 

• Food Day, a university-wide effort to promote health foods, support sustainable farming, etc. Presented by the UM Office of Civic and Community Engagement, October 24, 2011.

• Carbon Farming, a special workshop on sustainable ecosystems as part of the Greater Everglades Community Food Summit, led by Eric Toensmeier, September 30, 2011.

• U.S. Educational Policy: Are we on the Right Track?, by Professor Nel Noddings, in conjunction with the Department of Philosophy, March 7, 2011.

• Advising the CEO on Conscience: Creating the Consistently Authentic Organization, by Shannon Bowen, PhD, Syracuse University, in conjunction with the School of Communication, October 25, 2010.

• UM Graduate Workshop in Ethics and Mind, in conjunction with the Department of Philosophy, September 19-20, 2008.

• Morning After in America: The Story Behind Emergency Contraception in the US, by Ellen Chesler, PhD, director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Initiative on Women and Public Policy at Roosevelt House, Hunter College, The City University of New York, February 19, 2007.

• Confidentiality and the Professions, by Ronald Goldfarb, JD, attorney, author and literary agent, gave a series of seminars on the Gables and Medical campuses on and research for his book, In Confidence: When to Protect Secrecy and When to Require Disclosure (Yale University Press), 2006.

• Health Research Ethics in the Americas, supported in part by the National Institute of Health and Fogarty International Training Grant in AIDS and TB, May 4-5, 2006.
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• Ethics, Law & Medical Liability, was a special series in conjunction with the University of Miami School of Law, 2004-2005.

• Business Ethics Seminars, was a special series in 2004 sponsored by Yellow Roadway Corporation and the Miami Herald, January 30, 2004, February 6, 2004, February 13, 2004.

• Mayoral Candidate Ethics Forum, was a collaboration between the Miami-Date County Commission on Ethics and Public Trust with Ethics Coalition partners and the League of Women Voters of Miami-Dade County, August 12, 2004.

• Health Research Ethics in the Americas, supported in part by the National Institute of Health and Fogarty International Training Grant in AIDS and TB, September 12-13, 2003.
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• Public Policy & Law, in collaboration with the UM School of Law’s Institute on Law, Psychiatry and Psychology and its journal Psychology, March 28, 2003 , March 11, 2005, February 24, 2006.

• Extreme Ethics, the University of Miami Ethics Programs received an NIH grant to support three annual conferences to explore exceptionally difficult or under-addressed issues and problems in research ethics. The grant (T15 AI07591) was titled “Difficult Challenges in Human Subjects Research,” and the conference series added “Extreme Ethics” as the primary title, 2000, 2001 and 2000.

• Seminars in the Medical Humanities, an occasional series sponsored by the University of Miami and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center through the UM forum for Bioethics and Philosophy, January 6, 1997, January 24, 1997, December 19, 1997, February 10, 1998.

• Cultural Difference, Ethics and Health, a Program by the University of Miami Bioethics Society, October 25, 1996.

• Masters of Pediatrics Bioethics Workshop, a special program component of the UM Department of Pediatrics’ former “Masters of Pediatrics” conference series, January 28, 1996.

• Pediatric Ethics, a UM-Jackson seminar series, December 1995 - March 1996.

• Ethical Values in Healthcare: Lessons from the Nazi Era, by Michael J. Franzblau, MD, University of California, San Francisco, at UM and the Miami VA, Jan. 23-26, 1995.

• Philosophy, Psychiatry and Law, was a special Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds series, October 21, 1994, October 28, 1994, November 18, 1994.

SPECIAL PROJECTS ARCHIVE

UM Ethics Programs and faculty contribute to a variety of special initiatives. This page itemizes past initiatives and provides links to their deliverables.

• Florida Department of Children and Families | In response to a DCF request,  the University of Miami Ethics Programs prepared background material for, hosted and facilitated a meeting to explore the feasibility of creating a genetic biorepository to track children in DCF custody. The report was issued in September 2002. Click here to access the report.

• Independent Panel of the Guidant Corporation | This panel was created in 2005 to address issues related to reports of defects in implantable devices manufactured by the Guidant Corporation (now Boston Scientific). The panel, comprising cardiologists, engineers, biostatisticians and the director of the UM Bioethics Program, issued its final report in March 2006. Click here to access the report.

• Florida Developmental Disabilities Council | The UM Ethics Programs developed a Conflicts of Interest Policy and Policy Guide for the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council. The document was delivered in March 2009. Click here to access the Policy and Policy Guide.

• Florida Department of Health | The DOH in 2010 convened a workgroup, led by the Florida Bioethics Network and including several UM ethics faculty, to study ethical and policy issues related to emergency preparedness and response. The report was completed but never formally adopted by the State of Florida.  Click here for the report.