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Does a “calculative mindset” lead to ethical compromise?

Research in the PsyCh Journal found that individuals with a calculative mindset are more likely to ignore moral rules and make ethical compromises for personal gain. The study suggests that reducing this type of thinking may help prevent moral disengagement and promote a more principled approach.

SourceWiley·JournalPsyCh Journal·DateSep 9, 2026

Support local people to protect world’s nature, new report urges, as deadline for global conservation target looms

A new report by University of Cambridge researchers highlights the human context of conservation efforts, finding that protecting 30% of the world's land and seas by 2030 will impact nearly half of the global population. The team suggests substantial investment and local involvement are crucial for successful implementation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 12, 2026

Revolving doors weaken SEC oversight

New research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that regulators with ties to Big Four accounting firms are less likely to detect financial statement errors and ask for amendments. A cooling-off period might increase confidence in regulatory oversight, but its implementation could be challenging due to staff limitations.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalThe Accounting Review·DateApr 28, 2026

Where financial advisors grew up influences their business ethics

A new study found that financial advisors' childhood environment significantly predicts their core code of ethics, influencing their professional behavior. The research suggests that cultural norms from their hometown play a significant role in shaping their ethical foundations. This finding highlights the importance of considering the...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalReview of Financial Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 1, 2025

Former DOJ scientists advocate for justice-focused crime research as federal funding faces cuts

Two former Department of Justice scientists argue for transformative crime prevention research prioritizing social justice alongside public safety. They emphasize the need for research incorporating community perspectives and collaborative approaches to prevent harm and promote justice.

SourceRutgers University Newark School of Criminal Justice·JournalThe Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science·DateAug 20, 2025

ELSI’s challenges in the era of advanced AI

The ELSI University Summit in Japan brought together experts to discuss challenges and prospects of responsible AI development. Key findings include the need for ethics-driven approaches, collaboration between academia and industry, and the importance of setting evaluation indicators for Responsible AI.

Moral insights from Reddit’s “AITA?” board

The study analyzes 369,161 posts from Reddit's 'AITA?' board, finding that dilemmas concerning relational obligations were the most common type. Violations of trust, such as lying and cheating, were evaluated more negatively than acts of harm, highlighting the importance of trust in moral cognition.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateMay 13, 2025

Human-AI relationships pose ethical issues, psychologists say

Researchers explore the potential risks of human-AI relationships, including interference with human social dynamics and the risk of AIs offering harmful advice. They call for more research on the psychological process involved, which could help intervene to prevent malicious AI advice from being followed.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 11, 2025

Stealing credit for co-workers’ ideas and work hurts a critical organizational resource -- knowledge, new paper says

Researchers found that victims of knowledge theft become more protective and territorial about their work, leading to a toxic environment. Organizations must confront and prevent knowledge theft by rewarding teams as a group and promoting the sharing of knowledge.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Knowledge Management·TypeSurvey·DateApr 9, 2025

Unmasking inequalities in AI: new research reveals how artificial intelligence might reinforce inequality

A recent study suggests that AI systems replicate and amplify existing social inequalities when left unchecked, particularly in high-stakes areas like hiring and welfare distribution. The researchers argue for the need for greater transparency, inclusivity, and accountability in AI governance to ensure its use serves social justice.

SourceVrije Universiteit Brussel·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·DateFeb 27, 2025

New AI Tool Mimics Radiologist Gaze to Read Chest X-Rays

Researchers developed ItpCtrl-AI, a transparent AI framework that reads chest X-rays like a radiologist, providing accurate diagnoses and increasing trust in medical technology. The framework uses a gaze heat map to show the computer where to search for abnormalities and what section of the image requires less attention.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalArtificial Intelligence in Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 25, 2025

PECASE winners: 3 UVA engineering professors receive presidential early career awards

Three UVA engineering professors, James T. Burns, Coleen Carrigan, and Liheng Cai, have received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Biden. The award recognizes their innovative work in science and technology, including Burns' research on material fracture under unique conditions and...

Understanding bias and discrimination in AI: Why sociolinguistics holds the key to better Large Language Models and a fairer world

A new study aims to address bias and discrimination in AI by leveraging sociolinguistics. By incorporating diverse dialects, registers, and periods of language into training data, researchers can improve the performance of large language models, making them more accurate and reliable. This approach also promotes ethical and socially aw...

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 13, 2025

Can patient groups remain independent with drug company funding?

A new study highlights the risk of patient organizations losing independence due to funding from pharmaceutical companies. Researchers propose establishing a single database to track payments made to patient groups, doctors, and hospitals to improve transparency.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalInternational Journal of Social Determinants of Health and Health Services·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 2, 2025

Travelers weigh in on weight-based airfares for eco-friendly skies

A recent University of New Hampshire study gauges public opinion on three fare policies aimed at reducing emissions. The standard policy, where all passengers pay a uniform price, is the most accepted approach, while nearly 60% express concerns about weight-based policies citing potential fairness issues and discrimination.

SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalTransportation Research Part A Policy and Practice·DateDec 17, 2024

African voices in ink

The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.

New study by Tepper School researcher finds honesty-humility is key to auditors monitoring quality

A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers reveals that auditors with high honesty-humility scores are more likely to report financial misstatements, while those with low scores do not. This suggests that screening auditors for honesty-humility could enhance monitoring quality and prevent costly oversight failures.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalNegotiation and Conflict Management Research·DateOct 30, 2024

UTA study suggests simple steps may improve team ethics

A UT Arlington study suggests that speaking up is key to ethical decision-making in research groups. The researchers found that fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to voice concerns can help prevent unethical behavior. An 'ethical champion' who steps up to speak out against potential issues was a common finding.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·JournalScience and Engineering Ethics·TypeObservational study·DateSep 30, 2024

UVA Engineering receives $900,000 grant to create character-building initiative

The University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science will create a character-building initiative with the new grant. The ECSI aims to develop future leaders who are prepared and motivated to apply values in professional contexts. UVA Engineering is committed to integrating character education into its undergraduate curr...

Authority's physical proximity means greater obedience. New look at results of famous experiment

Researchers from SWPS University have re-examined the causes of obedience in the iconic Milgram experiment. The team found that physical proximity to the experimenter enhances subjects' willingness to obey, while proximity to the learner reduces it. This new understanding sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying human behavior.

SourceSWPS University·JournalThe Journal of Social Psychology·DateJun 18, 2024

Public acceptance of adoption and surrogacy methods currently prohibited in UK increases if one or both parents are infertile - study

A new study from the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham found that the UK public is more accepting of adoption and surrogacy methods when one or both parents are infertile. The research showed significant increases in support for these methods, including planned private adoption and double donor surrogacy.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Bioethical Inquiry·TypeSurvey·DateJun 13, 2024

Study shows politicians deny misdeeds because we want to believe them

A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to support a politician who denies wrongdoing, especially if they share the same party affiliation. The research suggests that partisans tend to have different standards for different politicians, with those from their own party bei...

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

To avenge or not to avenge? Psychologists dig deeper into how people see revenge and those who do it

A study published in the Social Psychological Bulletin found that people who take revenge are morally condemned, but those who experience pleasure from doing so may be viewed as immoral. The researchers also discovered that when participants imagined themselves taking revenge, they perceived themselves as less moral than others.

SourceThe Polish Association of Social Psychology·JournalSocial Psychological Bulletin·DateMay 13, 2024

New privacy-preserving robotic cameras obscure images beyond human recognition

Researchers at the University of Sydney and Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing cameras that process and scramble visual information. The approach, known as 'sighted systems,' creates distorted images that can still be used by robots to complete tasks but do not compromise privacy.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalJournal of Responsible Technology·TypeImaging analysis·DateApr 4, 2024