Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab Graduate Fellowships
The Notre Dame-IBM Tech Ethics Lab Graduate Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind experiential learning program for Notre Dame doctoral students interested in applied technology ethics research. Housed in the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG), the Tech Ethics Lab Fellowship is a year-long, academic experience in which Fellows form intellectual community, advance their scholarly and professional development, and contribute to the vibrant interdisciplinary network of the institute. The fellowship includes a signature one- to three-month, fully funded externship embedded in a company where Fellows will work on a problem of practice to learn more about the contexts in which their theoretical work is lived out. Through this externship, Fellows gain an unparalleled opportunity to experience firsthand the world of technology development to inform their research projects and expand their professional horizons. Throughout the year, Fellows participate in ECG seminars, receive guidance on research, and will have opportunities to help communicate the Lab's scholarly research to technology developers and industry professionals.
Formed in 2020 and funded by a 10-year, $20 million commitment from IBM, the Tech Ethics Lab drives ethical and human-centered design, development, deployment, and use of technology.
Program Details
Fellowship Support
Each Ph.D. Fellow receives:
- A premium stipend of $46,000.
- A $1,000 research account.
- 1 - 3 month externship experience in the technology industry (fully funded, including housing).
- Release from TA duties and other departmental service (NB: This does not apply to previous commitments made to other labs with which the Fellow is affiliated.)
Scholarly & Professional Development
- Weekly cross-disciplinary research seminars–sharing and gaining feedback on your ideas from a diverse, interdisciplinary audience; learning how different disciplinary methods illuminate ethical questions.
- Public engagement (in speech and writing) training workshops and orientations.
- A Ph.D. Fellows discernment and reflection retreat.
- Regular ECG community-building events.
Eligibility
Ph.D. Fellows can be in any of Notre Dame’s colleges or schools and must be in their third, fourth, or fifth year at the time of the fellowship. Ph.D. Fellows must be in-residence and released from standard departmental service and teaching work for their fellowship year.
*Notebaert Fellows are eligible to apply; if selected, they would receive the $1,000 research account and continue receiving a total stipend at the Notebaert level.
Application Process and Materials
Fellows will be selected by a competitive application, referral, and interview process. Applicants will submit the following materials:
- A brief description of your field of study and summary of dissertation research to date.
- A current Curriculum Vitae.
- A statement of interest, detailing the core technology ethics question at the heart of your dissertation research, your vision for real-world impact with your research, and a description of how your knowledge, skills, and experiences might contribute to the interdisciplinary intellectual life of ECG during your fellowship year.
- Contact information for two references; at least one should be involved in advising your current research.
- An unofficial graduate transcript.
- A letter signed by your DGS acknowledging your intent to apply to the program and ability to be released from teaching responsibilities for the duration of your fellowship year.
Selection Criteria
Ph.D. Fellows will be selected by a panel composed of faculty and staff affiliated with ECG. After determining eligibility, the panel will weigh four criteria:
-
Quality of Research Profile: Excellent performance in the Ph.D. program to-date and exceptional potential for the proposed research project that engages a key ethical question related to technology.
-
Potential for Scholarly Impact: The likelihood that this fellowship will deepen the Fellow’s research and have a clear impact—through publishing, teaching, and/or industry-facing work—on our understanding of an ethically significant issue.
-
Interdisciplinary Potential: The Fellow’s research, teaching, and career interests align with the mission of the fellowship program. We aim to compose a fellowship cohort with diverse methods and evidence sources. Particular Fellows should be firmly rooted in a single discipline but able to identify ways that other methods or sources of evidence might benefit their work.
-
Collaborative Commitment: The Fellow’s demonstrated commitment to contributing to research culture in an interdisciplinary institute. We particularly look for evidence of initiative, optimism, curiosity, intellectual humility, and the ability to draw others into research questions.
More Info: Optional Information Session
If you have questions, join our team for an optional information session on Thursday, February 19, from 5pm-6:30pm in Bond Hall 104. Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be provided.