Duke Designates New Applied Ethics & Policy Graduate Program to Address Challenges in Emerging Science and Technology

Durham, N.C. (January 16, 2025) — Duke University has renamed its distinctive Master of Arts in Bioethics & Science Policy program to the Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy. The new name marks a strategic evolution in the program’s comprehensive approach to addressing ethical and policy challenges in science, technology, and medicine.

The name change represents Duke’s response to rapidly advancing technologies and their increasing impact on society. The program will maintain its strong foundation in traditional bioethics as it grows to encompass critical areas such as artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital health.

“This evolution reflects our commitment to empowering the boldest thinkers who can navigate the complex ethical landscape of emerging technologies,” said Nita Farahany, Faculty Chair of the MA in Applied Ethics & Policy. “Specifically focusing on applied ethics positions the program as a forward-looking leader in ethics education, particularly in areas like AI, digital technologies, and the biosciences, which are rapidly transforming society.”

The program’s distinctive approach integrates policy and applied applications into every aspect of the curriculum, setting it apart from traditional bioethics programs. Students engage with real-world challenges at the intersection of science, technology, and society, developing solutions that shape policies in numerous rapidly evolving fields.

Key features of the renamed program include:

• Multidisciplinary curriculum offering pathways to explore both traditional bioethics and the ethics of emerging technologies
• Opportunity to work on real-world problems
• Focus on actionable solutions to specific ethical dilemmas in practical settings
• Preparation for a variety of career paths including law, technology governance, healthcare, and research

This strategic repositioning comes at a crucial time when industries, governments, and organizations worldwide are grappling with unprecedented ethical challenges posed by technological advancement. Graduates of the program will be uniquely qualified to lead in addressing these challenges. The program is now accepting applications for the upcoming academic year.

—

Contact:
Ben Shepard
Associate Director, Marketing and Communications
Duke University Initiative for Science & Society
ben.shepard@duke.edu