Research Prizes in Practical Ethics for Undergraduates

Poynter Center Director Richard Miller announced the selection of three undergraduates for the Research Prizes in Practical Ethics for 2009-10. The program was revised in 2009-10 to acknowledge the competitive nature of the program and the honor the students receive. The students, their topics, and their faculty advisors are listed below.

Niels Lee, a senior in History and Religious Studies. He studied the US reaction to the abolition of the Caliph in 1924 in the Republic of Turkey. His advisor was Dr. Padraic Kenney in History.

Sharayn Menne', a senior in Religious Studies. She studied the morality of warfare. Her advisor was Dr. Richard Miller of Religious Studies. After her presentation, she spoke with Brian Schrag, from the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics.

Landon Peck, a senior in Religious Studies. He studied first person accounts of illness and religious and spiritual experiences while ill. His advisor was Dr. Lisa Sideris of Religious Studies.

Each student will receive $200 after they presented their research at the Poynter Center in Spring 2010.

The Undergraduate Research Prizes in Practical Ethics are awarded in a competitive process. Richard Miller, the Director of the Poynter Center, describes the prizes in these terms: "These research prizes aim to stimulate ethical reflection in undergraduate education, reward highly motivated students, and facilitate innovative projects across the disciplines. They enable students to develop close mentoring relationships with IU faculty and take advantage of the input and expertise of the Poynter Center community. We have been pleased to support students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kelley School of Business, the School of Informatics in the past." The program, which began in 2005-06, is funded by the Poynter Center.