From moral reasoning to AI ethics, the 2nd Summer School of the Doctoral Academy "Normative Arguments and Practical Implications" brought together 19 doctoral researchers from 12 countries for 5 days of academic exchange.
From 30 August to 3 September 2026, 19 PhD candidates from across Europe and beyond, including participants from e.g. the U.S., Italy, France, Syria and Cyprus, gathered in Lutherstadt Wittenberg to explore the foundations of normative argumentation in business ethics and engage with leading international scholars in the field.
Throughout the week, participants examined the theme “Moral Reasoning and Empirical Evidence” and received comprehensive introductions to key approaches and methods in business ethics research. A central component of the programme was the presentation of participants’ own doctoral projects, providing opportunities for constructive discussion and feedback from peers and faculty members.
Among the academic contributors were Prof. Lisa Schmalzried (Merseburg University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Ingo Pies (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), and Prof. Matthew Caulfield (Georgetown University McDonough School of Business), who shared their expertise on normative and empirical perspectives in business ethics.
On Tuesday we had an online roundtable featuring editors and reviewers from leading academic journals. Prof. Philipp Schreck (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. Lauren Wang Kaufmann (University of Virginia Darden School of Business), and Prof. Dirk Gilbert (University of Hamburg) discussed the challenges and opportunities of publishing normative research, offering valuable insights into academic publishing standards and expectations.
Participants also benefited from a session on Ethics in Organizations and Leadership led by Dr. Marco Meyer (University of Hamburg). The discussion focused on ethical organizational practices and leadership styles from a normative perspective, encouraging participants to critically reflect on the role of ethics in organizational decision-making.
Bringing theory and practice together, the programme included a visit to the company TESVOLT, where participants gained first-hand insights into the company's implementation of holacratic organizational structures and alternative approaches to leadership and governance.
The Summer School concluded with a forward-looking exploration of two highly relevant topics in contemporary business ethics. Prof. Joanna Bryson (Hertie School) led a session on AI Ethics and Normative Principles, while Prof. Markus Scholz (TU Dresden) contributed perspectives on Political Corporate Responsibility, stimulating discussion on the ethical challenges facing organizations in an increasingly complex global environment.
Special thanks to the Karl Schlecht Foundation for its longterm commitment to advancing research and education in business and leadership ethics.
Photo credit: Anne Barth.