ETHICS: Teaching

Ethics in Theory and Practice

At the Institute for Ethics in Technology, our pedagogical approach emphasises that the ethical implications of technology are not merely theoretical considerations, but real-world imperatives that demand equally practical solutions. Our teaching philosophy is innovative and hands-on, merging the depth of theoretical frameworks in moral philosophy with contemporary case studies in technology, i.e. those that students are likely to encounter in their later tech-related, professional careers. We place a high value on interactive learning experiences, inviting students to engage in spirited debates, team projects, and problem-solving exercises that bridge the gap between academic inquiry and practical application.

Teaching at the Institute for Ethics in Technology

Our teaching approach integrates bespoke ethics modules into technical curricula while also offering broader humanistic education to foster critical thinking and ethical reflection. Through innovative courses, interdisciplinary collaborations, and hands-on learning experiences, we prepare students to navigate the ethical challenges of an increasingly technological world.

Innovative Teaching Formats

"Ethics by Design" & "Creativity and AI"

Ethics by Design: A free online course hosted by the Hamburg Open Online University, making ethics in AI development accessible to a wide audience. This initiative not only supports public debate but also allows us to learn from the feedback of diverse participants, strengthening the link between education and society.
Creativity and AI: A European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) course, led by Dr Jonas Bozenhard, that explores AI’s impact on creativity and innovation. This seminar equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for an AI-driven job market.

"Blue Engineering" at TUHH

Launched in December 2024, Blue Engineering is a student-led initiative that encourages engineering students to reflect on social and ecological responsibility. Supported by the Claussen-Simon Foundation, this programme includes courses such as "Ethical Decision-Making in Career Choices", fostering responsible leadership in engineering.

Interdisciplinary Teaching Collaboration: University of Hamburg

In November 2024, we launched a new partnership with the Institute for Media and Communication at the University of Hamburg. This initiative allows students from both universities to attend courses in media studies and ethics in technology, fostering interdisciplinary exchange and expanding academic horizons.

Hands-On Learning and Competitions

We believe in learning through experience. Our students work on real-world case studies and actively participate in competitions such as:

Digital Future Challenge – A university competition on Corporate Digital Responsibility, organised by Initiative D21 e.V. and the Deloitte Foundation, with support from the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV).
Success Story: #GridHarmony – A TUHH student team secured third place in the Digital Future Challenge finals in Berlin. Their AI-powered app helps users navigate electricity shortages through financial incentives and educational nudges, promoting sustainable and fair energy distribution.

Partnerships and International Opportunities

We collaborate with leading institutions to provide students with opportunities beyond the classroom, including:

Oxford Artificial Intelligence Society (OxAI) – As a partner of OxAI Labs, we occasionally offer TUHH students the opportunity to participate in OxAI research projects, contributing to impact-driven AI development.

Recognising Excellence in Teaching

Our commitment to innovative teaching has been recognised through prestigious awards, including the following:

I³ProTeachING Audience Award for Inspirational Teaching (December 2024): Dr Jonas Bozenhard received this award for his Creativity and AI Seminar: ECIU Challenge, which fosters creative problem-solving at the intersection of AI and innovation.

Supporting Our Students: Scholarships & Mentorship

We actively support students in scholarship applications, ensuring that financial constraints do not limit academic success. This also includes a partnership between our Institute and the Deloitte Foundation Scholarship Programme. For instance, this scholarship was last awarded to our two of our students in October 2024, offering €500/month financial support, access to networking events & talent mentorship, and entry into the Deloitte Foundation Talent Community.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We are dedicated to making ethics and technology education more inclusive and contribute to the annual Girls’ Day at TUHH. For these events, we organise workshops on women in art, science, engineering, and philosophy, exploring the contributions and challenges of women throughout history.

Teaching Ethics and Mountaineering

Our teaching approach is considerably inspired by this quotation from Martin.

“I tell my students that philosophy is an activity that they can learn only by doing. (…) Struggling through a difficult primary text is like climbing a mountain – and if I were teaching them mountaineering, they would feel cheated if all I did was to show them pictures of the view from the summit, and describe the wrong routes taken by other mountaineers. They need to get their boots on, and work up a sweat.”

(Martin, P. (2008). Key Aspects of Teaching and Learning in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. In: H. Fry (Ed.), Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, p. 311)

We are convinced that learning philosophy and ethics requires active effort as well as the freedom to follow one’s own compass. Accordingly, we see our role as teachers as that of a facilitator, or to continue the metaphor, as that of an experienced mountaineer. A teacher should encourage students to put on their boots and follow the route they chose for themselves, but also actively assist them by providing the knowledge and tools required to master their route. In our teaching, we strive to be such an assistant to students, pass on to them our own enthusiasm about ethics, and equip them for the complex challenges they may face later.

Over all, our leading ideal at TUHH is that of the ‘responsible enginneer’, a person who can combine technical proficiency with the capacity for ethical reflection. We want to help our students to acquire this double qualification and prepare them to be interdisciplinary team players and leaders.

For Students

Write Your Thesis With us

We welcome students from various technology disciplines to pursue their Bachelor or Master theses with us, provided they meet the following requirements:

Candidates must have completed at least one undergraduate or graduate class that focused on ethics, art, media theory, or other discipline related to the Institute and their thesis plans, with a grade of '2.3' or higher (if applicable).
In the absence of graded formal coursework, candidates must demonstrate a strong interest in ethics or one of the related fields by submitting a written statement of 1-2 pages. This statement should outline their engagement with the topic of their choice, which may include self-directed reading, participation in relevant workshops or seminars, or involvement in related projects. In addition, the statement should also outline a proposed topic for the envisaged thesis.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss their plans with their programme coordinator so that the thesis will build on their previous knowledge and provide the way to their future success.
Theses can be written in either German or English.

Join Our Team

The Institute for Ethics in Technology is always on the lookout for dedicated tutors and student assistants to join our team. As a tutor, you'll play a vital role in enhancing our lectures and seminars through organisational support and peer learning facilitation, while student assistants can engage in a variety of tasks ranging from administrative duties at the institute to participating in cutting-edge research projects. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute and learn. If you’re interested, get in touch with us today: maximilian.kiener(at)tuhh.de

Tell us what you think

We at the Institute firmly believe that the perspectives of our students are crucial for achieving excellence in teaching. Your feedback on existing or past classes, suggestions for future course formats, or any other innovative ideas are immensely valuable to us. We encourage you to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our educational offerings. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with your insights and ideas – your voice matters and can make a real difference in our academic community!