Empirical Bioethics Summer School 2025 - VU Amsterdam

This year’s Empirical Bioethics Summer School took place at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from June 23rd to June 26th. Researchers from several countries visited the Department of Ethics, Law & Humanities at the Amsterdam UMC to immerse themselves in the world of empirical bioethics.

This program was organised by:
Bert Molewijk, chair of the Ethics Support and Scientific Integrity section at Amsterdam UMC, Jonathan Ives of the University of Bristol, Michael Dunn of the National University of Singapore, and Jan Schildmann of University Medicine Halle, Germany. With assistance from Manal Bouazza of the Department of Ethics, Law & Humanities.

Guest Lecturers

Participants were presented with a wide range of theory:
• An overview of the field of empirical bioethics
• The different approaches that exist in the field of bioethics
• Various methods that can be used in conducting empirical bioethical research

Several guest lecturers gave lectures on their own experiences in the field of empirical bioethics:

Introduction to Empirical Research in Bioethics
Veerle Provoost | Ghent University

Veerle discussed the role data plays in bioethical argumentation and reasoning. During this session, they also explored which types of data can be most useful in conducting empirical research in bioethics.

Introduction to Qualitative Research
Fijgje de Boer | Amsterdam UMC

Fijgje explained, in this informative session, how qualitative research can be used in the field of empirical bioethics.

Typologies of Integration
Rachel Davies | University of Bristol

In this session, Rachel focused on the methods and methodologies of empirical bioethics and how these can best be integrated into ethical and empirical analyses. Various approaches were also explored and their strengths and weaknesses discussed thoroughly.

Integrative Methodologies
Suzanne Metselaar | Amsterdam UMC
Rob Compaijen | PThU Utrecht
Jonathan Ives | University of Bristol
Michael Dunn | National University of Singapore

During this session, Suzanne, Rob, Jonathan, and Michael each presented their perspectives on integrative methodologies. Examples of perspectives discussed were:
• Dialogical & Hermeneutic Approach
• Consultative Approach
• Reflective & Balanced Approach

Group Work

In addition to theoretical lectures, participants had the opportunity to present their own research ideas and receive valuable feedback. Working groups also allowed participants to exchange perspectives on various themes.

The Empirical Bioethics Summer School concluded with the creation of a Signal group where participants can stay in touch and support each other in conducting empirical-ethical research.

Testimonial

Stephanie Dauphin, a PhD candidate at Amsterdam UMC and supervised by Bert Molewijk and Suzanne Metselaar, was also present. Below her experiences:

"I'm already familiar with empirical research and already use dialogic research methods. However, the entire field of empirical bioethics was new to me. I was very curious how I could apply this to my own research on providing good person-centred care in an acute setting.

Besides lectures and workshops, there was also plenty of time to get to know each other informally. The first evening, a delicious dinner was provided, and the coffee corner was also a well-visited place. I found it very inspiring to hear from other participants about the interesting research they are conducting.

Ultimately, my questions were definitely answered. Essentially, empirical bioethics is about answering normative questions that arise in practice, in a way that is informed by both empirical data and ethical analysis. It's an approach that fits well within the framework of my own research. Up until now, I hadn't consciously prioritised the normative question surrounding good person-centred care. But the Summer School has given me a lot of inspiration and I have gained to use a different perspective!"

Empirical Summer School 2026

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Empirical Bioethics?

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