One-stop ethics shop opens

Ethics

The Ethics Centre of South Australia (ECSA), launched late last month, sees the University of Adelaide working together with the State's other two universities to develop focused, high profile and socially-oriented research in a field that is central to contemporary Australian society.

"Universities are uniquely placed to provide leadership to stimulate community debate on ethical matters. It is the role of our researchers and educators to create new knowledge, communicate that knowledge and to serve the community," said University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Professor James McWha at ECSA's launch.

With an agenda of research, education and community engagement, ECSA's researchers will explore ethical issues in seven broad research areas: healthcare; professional practice; public policy; science and technology; research ethics; ethical theory; and Indigenous ethics," he added.

Dr Annette Braunack-Mayer (pictured), Interim Joint Director of ECS and Senior Lecturer in Public Health at the University of Adelaide, said: "ECSA's aim is to develop a leadership role in the field of ethics within South Australia and to achieve prominence both nationally and internationally.

"We have worked hard across the creation of the centre to keep a balance between the three member institutions in order to create an environment where collegial debate and collaborative education and research can take place.

"We see ECSA as a great resource for business and government, as well as a place that recognises the importance of training in ethics both within and outside of the University environment."

For more information about ECSA, visit its website.

Story by Lisa Reid