The Western Michigan University Center for the Study of Ethics in Society creates interdisciplinary opportunities for the University and Community to engage in public reflection about ethical issues.
We've got a new director!
Ashley Atkins, Associate Professor of Philosophy, will start serving a three-year appointment as Director of the Center for the Study of Ethics in Society next fall.
Carla Koretsky, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, announced the appointment Jan. 9. The Center is housed in the College.
Because Dr. Atkins is on sabbatical for 2025-26, Jonathan Milgrim, Faculty Specialist of Philosophy, has agreed to serve as Interim Director for the spring 2026 semester. Milgrim’s research interests include environmental ethics and AI ethics. He is a member of the Center’s Advisory Board and has been involved with the Center in a number of capacities, including as a speaker and book club leader.
Dr. Atkins recently joined the Center’s Advisory Board after serving in the role of Center Affiliate. She has been very active with the Center over the years: organizing, hosting and giving talks; leading book clubs; and participating in the Center’s podcast as both host and guest. Her current research focuses on grief's legitimacy within secular culture, guided by the contemporary grief memoir.
Dr. Atkins succeeds Sandra Borden, Professor of Communication, who has been the Ethics Center’s Director since 2016. Before that, she co-directed the Center with founding Director Michael Pritchard, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, for 13 years.
In addition to continuing the Center's signature lecture series, Dr. Borden started its popular Ethics Between the Lines book club series and its nationally recognized podcast, Life Is Better with Ethics. As Director, she organized or co-organized three national and international conferences and served as the principal investigator for a federal research ethics grant administered by the Center. From 1996-2020, Dr. Borden served as faculty sponsor and lead coach for Western Michigan University’s team in the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl competition. Her research focuses on journalism ethics.
Spring 2026 events
We've started registering for our Spring 2026 book clubs!
Stay tuned for details about our lecture series!
News
The Ethics Center and the Department of Philosophy partnered to send an interdisciplinary team to the Ethics Bowl regional qualifier November 15, 2025, at Northeastern Illinois University. Find out more.
Check out the Ethics Center's professional development module on workplace ethics available through WMU Professional Development. The module provides concrete, practical tools for making good ethical choices in organizations.
A memorial fund has been set up for the Ethics Center's former associate director and co-founder, Dr. Shirley Bach.
Land Acknowledgment Statement
We would like to recognize that Western Michigan University is located on lands historically occupied by Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodewadmi nations. Please take a moment to acknowledge and honor this ancestral land of the Three Fires Confederacy, the sacred lands of all indigenous peoples, and their continued presence.