Ethics for Major Technological and Scientific Challenges: From Education to Policy Closing Symposium of the E4C Project

Press Release

 27–28 October 2025 | Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium)

The Erasmus+ project ETHICS4CHALLENGES (E4C) will hold its closing symposium From Education to Policy on 27–28 October 2025 at the Université catholique de Louvain.

Over the past three years, E4C has developed innovative tools for ethics education to address major societal challenges, including digitalization, biomedicalization, and environmental sustainability. Project outcomes include an Online Education Platform, a case study inventory, and a forthcoming edited volume linking ethics education to contemporary policy debates.

The symposium will feature keynote lectures by:

  • Rachel A. Ankeny (Wageningen University) – on ethical reasoning and policy.
  • Diana Martin (University College London / SEFI) – on ethics education in science and engineering.
  • Mihalis Kritikos (European Commission) – on EU policy for trustworthy AI.

Panels will bring together scholars and practitioners from Aalborg University, Radboud University, UCLouvain, Viadrina University, the Rathenau Instituut, and others.

The event is organized by the E4C consortium (ESST, METU, NKUA, EUV), hosted by UCLouvain, and supported by Erasmus+.

Venue: Salle Jean Ladrière, Collège Mercier, Place Cardinal Mercier 14, Louvain-la-Neuve
 Further information & registration: ethics4challenges.eu

Contact for media inquiries:


After registration, the symposium can also be followed online.

Register now!

Call for Participation

We warmly invite scholars, educators, students, policymakers, and all those interested in the ethical dimensions of science and technology to join us for the Closing Symposium of the E4C Project.

Highlights of the Programme

  • Presentation of the E4C Online Education Platform and hands-on demonstration.
  • Launch of the E4C Book Plan on ethics and technology.
  • Keynote lectures by internationally recognized experts:
    • Rachel A. Ankeny (Wageningen University)
    • Diana Martin (University College London / SEFI)
    • Mihalis Kritikos (European Commission)
  • Panel discussions on ethics education, technological change, and policy making, with contributions from leading scholars and practitioners from several European universities and institutions.

Practical Information

  • Venue: Salle Jean Ladrière, Collège Mercier, Place Cardinal Mercier 14, Louvain-la-Neuve
  • Organizers: E4C Project Consortium (ESST, METU, NKUA, EUV)
  • Hosted by: Université catholique de Louvain, Institut supérieur de philosophie (ISP)
  • Supported by: Erasmus+

Register Now

Participation is free, but registration is required.
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After registration, the symposium can also be followed online.

For more information, please contact:

Programm

Monday, 27 October 2025
 📍 Salle Jean Ladrière, Collège Mercier, Place Cardinal Mercier 14, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve

14:00–16:00 | Presentation of the E4C Project: Uses

  • Introducing ETHICS4CHALLENGES: activities & outcomes – Halil Turan (METU)
  • The E4C Online Education Platform – Antonis Faras (ESST)
  • Hands-on session: Exploring OEP functionalities – Gülizar Karahan Balya (METU) & Antonis Faras (ESST)
  • The E4C Book Plan – Halil Turan (METU), Tom Børsen (Aalborg University), Aristotle Tympas (NKUA)

17:00–18:30 | Keynote Lecture

  • Rachel A. Ankeny (Professor of Philosophy, Wageningen University)
     

Using a Repertoires Approach to Reflect on Challenges for Fostering Ethical Reflection in Today’s European Society


 Introduction: Charles Pence

 

Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 📍 Salle Jean Ladrière, Collège Mercier, UCLouvain

10:00–12:00 | Challenges related to Science & Technology, Ethics Education
 Moderator: Alexandre Guay (UCLouvain)

  • Keynote Lecture: Diana Martin (Senior Research Fellow, University College London; co-chair of the Ethics SIG of SEFI)

     A Matrix of Engineering Responsibilities

Panel:

  • Tom Børsen (Professor, Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University)
  • Banu Buruk (Professor of Artificial Intelligence Ethics in Healthcare, Donders Centre for Cognition, Radboud University, Nijmegen)
  • Renaud Ronsse (Professor, École polytechnique de Louvain, Université catholique de Louvain)

15:00–17:00 | Panel on Technology Policy
 Moderator:  Aristotle Tympas (NKUA)

  • Keynote Lecture (online): Mihalis Kritikos (Secretary of the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) and Policy Analyst at the Ethics and Integrity Sector of the European Commission (DG-Research and Innovation)

     Developing Ethical and Trustworthy AI Research Policies at EU Level: Challenges and Opportunities in an Ever-Changing Terrain

Panel:

  • Jan-Hendrik Passoth (Professor of Sociology of Technology, Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder)
  • Vincent Lagendijk (Senior Researcher, Rathenau Instituut)
  • Dani Shanley (Professor in the Philosophy Department at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Maastricht University)