Introduction

Research in Ethics and Globalisation (REG) was established in January 2011 and is led by the three Section Chairs, Dr Chris Lamont, Dr Vivienne Matthies-Boon, and Dr Andrej Zwitter. Dr Matthies-Boon and Dr Lamont are positioned within the Department of International Relations and International Organisation. Dr Andrej Zwitter is positioned within the Faculty of Law as well as the Department of International Relations and International Organisation.

REG is committed to facilitating a global dialogue on ethics and governance in the context of an increasingly globalised world. The principal aim of REG is to provide a vibrant international and interdisciplinary forum for the promotion of debate, teaching, research and other policy relevant projects related to issues of ethics and globalisation. Through deepening cooperation with institutions of higher learning and civil society in transition countries in the Middle East, North Africa, East Asia, South East Europe, and beyond, REG aims to become a focal point for the study and practice of ethics in transition. In particular, we examine the intersection between the theory and practice of ethics in a globalised context. The ethics of governance, both within and among states, is increasingly salient in the context of a myriad of scholarly and policy debates including democratisation and transitional justice. 

In order to advance our understandings of the theory and practice of ethics REG pursues two complementary thematic strands that fall under the leadership of the distinct but inter-related Chairs. The focus of the first strand is on the connection between research initiatives in ideal ethical theory, applied ethics, and empirical ethics. Here, REG has contributed to research on ethics in global governance, transitional justice, democracy, and human rights among other themes. The second strand aims to create dialogue and debate on the issue of ethics in a globalised world. More specifically, this strand facilitates debates on ethics between scholars from diverse geographic backgrounds through expert workshops, conferences, and other events hosted both at the University of Groningen and abroad. In addition, REG also engages with inter-temporal issues, such as intergenerational justice and equity from a comparative perspective. Through these two strands, REG specifically aims to promote and transmit a wide range of research and expertise to a global audience. 

REG is rooted within the discipline of International Relations, but is also linked to other disciplines such as Philosophy, Sociology, Humanitarian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Economics, Law, amongst others. The first research strand specifically allows REG to link both empirical and theoretical approaches within these disciplines as they relate to ethics, whilst the latter emphasises the global context within which these ethical debates are situated. To be sure, linking global to individual matters in the area of ethics remains a constant and evolving issue. Therefore REG aims to bridge a wide range of scientific disciplines (e.g. psychological, social, political sciences etc.), which in isolation are also concerned with ethics as it relates to their specific fields and perspectives.

The Internal Organisational Structure of the Chairs:
Dr Chris Lamont's area of expertise is in transitional justice and human rights. Having worked extensively on transitional processes within the Balkans, as well as Northern Ireland, the focus of Dr Lamont’s current work is on transitional justice in North Africa – and in particular Tunisia and Libya. Projects related to Transitional Justice in and beyond this region fall under his leadership.

Dr Vivienne Matthies-Boon's area of expertise is in Western and non-Western theories and practices of democracy. Her work is rooted in the Frankfurt tradition of critical theory, thus taking seriously economic, political and social problems. Concentrating on Egypt specifically, she is interested in the relation between democratic discourses/practices, political economy and (alternative) visions of modernity. Projects related to Democracy in and beyond MENA fall under her leadership.

Dr Andrej Zwitter's area of expertise is in the relation between ethics and law. Having an extensive academic background in the discipline of Law, Dr Zwitter particularly focuses on international law, virtue ethics, the state of emergency and humanitarian action. Projects related to Ethics and Law fall under his leadership.

Idea? Email us!
REG is committed to encouraging debate, teaching and research in relation to ethics and globalisation. Should you have an idea or project proposal that you wish to discuss with us, please feel free to contact any of the Chairs on reg@rug.nl. Please keep in mind the above internal organisational structure of the chairs when proposing your idea.