What does it mean to be ethical in a world of technology?

Founded in 2019 with an initial gift from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation, Duquesne University's interdisciplinary Grefenstette Center takes an unflinching look at the ethical intersections between science and technology in the modern world from the perspective of the Catholic faith tradition. The center offers a variety of programs, courses and partnerships for students and researchers at Duquesne and throughout the Pittsburgh area. 

Engagement Opportunities

There are many ways to connect with the Grefenstette Center throughout the year, whether you're a student, faculty, or member of the public!

On November 9 and 10, Duquesne University will host a national conference that examines how generative AI like ChatGPT changed the world and what we can do to ensure an ethical future! We will focus on real, practical steps and hear from the perspectives of policymakers, business owners, educators, faith leaders, and healthcare workers. This conference will feature national speakers, student and faculty discussions, community conversations, and a wide variety of research on display! 

Register Now!
Hacking4Humanity is a tech and policy hackathon for undergraduate and graduate students, which offers students a new way to engage with real-world social problems that can be improved with novel technical and policy solutions. 

Any undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Carnegie Mellon, Duquesne, and Pitt can participate. No experience is needed. 

Students can compete in teams of 1-4 people can compete in either the tech track or the policy track, with multiple cash prizes available in both tracks! Prizes will be announced closer to the event.
See the highlights from the 2023 hackathon!
Interested in the ethics and responsible use of technology? Want to gain real-world experience outside of a classroom setting? The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law is proud to offer an undergraduate scholarship program for four Duquesne University students each academic year! 

Scholarship recipients work closely with center staff to build their research interests, present a poster, enter the hackathon, and engage in monthly conversations on tech ethics throughout the year! 

Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will open in Spring of 2024.
The Carl G. Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law at Duquesne University invites any Duquesne University faculty (tenured, non-tenured, part-time) to apply for the Grefenstette Faculty Scholars program for Academic Year 2023-2024. The Grefenstette Center seeks scholars from all academic areas and all backgrounds to contribute to the conversation around the responsible use of digital technology, broadly construed.

The goal of the program is to provide financial, administrative, and content support to faculty members who wish to begin or cultivate a research agenda in that area. Part of the program will include some light technical content instruction in digital technology, but no technical background is necessary or expected.

All Scholars will receive a stipend of up to $2000 for the year and benefit from the feedback, accountability, and encouragement of a research cohort.

Application will open in April 2024!

Each Fall, Duquesne University hosts a national conference on one aspect of technology ethics. All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit posters on any aspect of responsible AI or technology ethics! All accepted posters will receive a $75 acceptance award, and the best poster in each category (undergrad and grad) will receive a $400 cash prize!

 

Competition for 2023 is closed. 2024 competition will open in September!

Who We Are

Staff, Fellows, and Affiliated Faculty of the Grefenstette Center

John P. Slattery

John P. Slattery

Director

Florence M. Chee

Florence M. Chee

2023-24 Fellow

Nathan Colaner

Nathan Colaner

2023-24 Fellow

Ehi Nosakhare

Ehi Nosakhare

2023-24 Fellow

Paul Scherz

Paul Scherz

2023-24 Fellow

Rachael Miller Neilan

Rachael Miller Neilan

Duquesne Research Fellow

Gerard Magill

Gerard Magill

Senior Research Fellow

Ercan Avci

Ercan Avci

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Elizabeth Agnew Cochran

Elizabeth Agnew Cochran

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Ted Corcovilos

Ted Corcovilos

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Georgiana Craciun

Georgiana Craciun

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Min Geiger

Min Geiger

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Katherine L.W. Norton

Katherine L.W. Norton

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa

Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Dina Nasri Siniora

Dina Nasri Siniora

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Eric Vogelstein

Eric Vogelstein

2022-2023 Faculty Scholar

Dina Al Raffie

Dina Al Raffie

Affiliated Faculty

Cathleen J. Appelt

Cathleen J. Appelt

Affiliated Faculty

Lyndsie Ferrara

Lyndsie Ferrara

Affiliated Faculty

Mark Geiger

Mark Geiger

Affiliated Faculty

Anna Floerke Scheid

Anna Floerke Scheid

Affiliated Faculty

Daniel P. Scheid

Daniel P. Scheid

Affiliated Faculty

Elisabeth T. Vasko

Elisabeth T. Vasko

Affiliated Faculty

Wenqi Zhou

Wenqi Zhou

Affiliated Faculty

About Us

The Grefenstette Center takes an unflinching look at the ethical intersections of science and technology by working with partners at Duquesne, in Pittsburgh, and across the world.

Grefenstette Center for Ethics in Science, Technology, and Law