Morality: An Interdisciplinary Field Linking the Brain, Behavior, and Society

Brief Report

Submitted to the Executive Committee for the Graduate Field Committee in Developmental Science

Prepared by: Laura Elenbaas, Shelby Cooley, AlineHitti, and Kelly Lynn Mulvey

Department of Human Development and Quantitative Methodology

Contact: Laura Elenbaas,

January 8, 2013

Brief Summary of the Workshop:

This one-day workshop took place on December 7th, 2012. The program consisted of a series of invited talks followed by question and discussion periods, and a final panel discussion facilitated by the workshop organizers that incorporated questions collected from participants throughout the day (see Appendix below for workshop flyer and agenda). Talks covered research in the areas of psychology, human development, public policy, neuroscience, law, and philosophy. The speakers were:

  • Jonathan Beier, Psychology, University of Maryland
  • Melanie Killen, Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland
  • Daniel Levine, Public Policy, University of Maryland
  • KalinaMichalska, Neuroscience, National Institutes of Mental Health, and Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, University of Maryland
  • John Mikhail, Law, Georgetown University
  • Elizabeth Redcay, Psychology, University of Maryland

Workshop participants included the 6 invited speakers, 6 graduate student workshop organizers, and 46 registered participants. Of the 46 registered participants, 45% were graduate students, 25% were faculty, 15% were advanced undergraduate students, and 15% held other positions (including post-baccalaureate research assistants, lab managers, etc.) Participants’ academic and research backgrounds included psychology, human development, public policy, neuroscience, law, philosophy, political science, sociology, language, religious studies, and education.

Outcomes and Goals Achieved

The workshop was centered on four main goals:

1- Understand definitions of morality in the various disciplines where it is studied.

2- Learn about the methodologies that researchers from various disciplines use to study morality.

3- Expose participants to current, cutting-edge research on morality.

4- Foster dialogue to promote interdisciplinary approaches to the study of morality in the future.

Speakers were given 25 minutes to describe how morality is defined within their domains of research, to explain the methodologies and different approaches they take to studying morality, and to present recent new findings from their own work that bear on understanding morality. Talks addressed such topics as the origins of morality, morality and intergroup relations, empathy and morality, insight from neuroscience on moral decision-making, morality and theory of mind, early social interaction as a basis for morality, moral grammar, and moral and ethical dilemmas faced in international peacekeeping efforts.

Each presentation was followed by a 20-minute question and answer session during which the audience and the speaker engaged in scholarly discussion of the topic presented. The diversity of backgrounds reflected by the speakers and workshop participants, as well as the open format that encouraged questions and discussion, helped the workshop to achieve its four goals. Speakers clearly articulated how morality was conceptualized and measured in their work, and dialogue between speakers and participants on individual and group levels fostered clear understanding of leading research in the field and opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. Furthermore, speakers and workshop participants made connections across the presentations, citing research presented in one talk when asking for clarification about another presentation, for instance. The workshop resulted in a productive exchange of ideas on both theoretical and methodological levels, and participants benefitted from meaningful and fruitful discussions.

Suggestions for Future Workshop Organizers:

Based on our experience with this workshop, we would like to offer the following suggestions to future coordinators:

What to expect for budget allocation ($750 total):

Venue and equipment: $300

Catering and food (breakfast and lunch for 50 people): $400

Additional expenses (reimbursement for speakers’ travel expenses, printing costs for fliers,

etc.): $50

Suggested timeline for workshop coordination:

Five months before the workshop

Determine whom to invite to speak at the workshop; email invitations to be sure to consider the wide range of academic fields engaged in developmental science research when making invitations

Four months before the workshop:

Confirm or set the finalized date for the workshop with invited speakers (We used a Doodle poll to determine the best date: )

Three months before the workshop:

Obtain departmental FRS number; this is needed for all financial transactions regarding the workshop. In HDQM, contact Tony Araneta, 301-405-1659

Book venue:We used the Jimenez room in the Stamp Student Union: ; note: for events like this (not “departmental” and not “student group”), booking in the Stamp is less straightforward; call Leif Corbett, University Department Event Coordinator, directly (301-314-8483) to ask about the best way to proceed Venue size will dictate the maximum number of possible attendees

Book any necessary audio or video equipment along with the room (these may incur extra costs)

Determine desired room set-up (table/chair configuration, podium placement, etc.)

Once the location, time, and date have been confirmed, send a ‘Save the Date’ mass email to all speakers and possible attendees

Two months before the workshop:

Remind speakers about date and time

Create advertising materials

Begin advertising on campus

We put up posters (11x17) and fliers (8.5x11) in the following departments: human development, psychology, family science, public health, philosophy

We advertised using the Developmental Science listserv () and on the Psychology blog ( ), posted an announcement on the Benjamin Building television monitors (email Halima Cherif to submit an announcement), and posted an announcement to the University of Maryland official calendar (email Leon Tune in University Communications: ). We also contacted The Graduate School (email Robyn Kotzker ) and the Dean’s office in the College of Education (email Dr. Margaret McLaughlin ) to have them circulate our flyer and post information about our workshop on their respective websites.

Begin registering participants: We used a Survey Monkey link ( ) in all advertising materials so that participants could self-register; we asked for first and last name, email address, position/occupation, and research interests/area of expertise.

One month before the workshop:

Determine the exact schedule for the day (order of speakers, transitions, etc.)

Assign roles to workshop organizers for the day of the event (e.g.: who will give intro, who will keep track of time for speakers, etc.)

Continue advertising/registration

Remind speakers of date/time, send them the schedule for the day, tell them who their audience will be, set the date by which they need to submit any presentation materials (PowerPoint slides, handouts, etc.)

Obtain outside materials for workshop (We received folders and pens from the UMD Graduate School)

Two weeks before the workshop:

Remind speakers of date/time and deadline for sending materials; ask about A/V needs (e.g.: Mac adapters, etc.)

Book catering (We used the Maryland Food Co-op ( ); call 301-314-8089 and speak with Mary Cousins Schulte)

Book/reserve any other equipment (We checked out a video camera from the College of Education Educational Technology Services to film talks at the workshop: ; this is easy but requires faculty approval (also note that COE ETS does not provide SD cards for video cameras)

Test all equipment before the workshop to make sure it functions properly

If filming, be sure to get consent from each of your presenters

Assemble workshop materials (We created packets for participants including: a pamphlet with the schedule for the day and short bios for each of our speakers a handout on the GFCDS, a handout on the UMD Graduate School, and a pen; each participant also received a place card/name card)

Continue advertising/registration

Four days before the workshop

Finalize presentation materials from speakers, verify compatibility with presentation software

Finalize registration

Confirm room, equipment, and catering reservations

Immediately before and during the workshop

Preload workshop presenters’ materials to presentation equipment

Keep time during talks and inform of time remaining to maintain efficient schedule

Anticipate the challenges may come up (audio equipment, food order, space, etc.); come prepared with contact information and phone numbers for all vendors, etc.

After the workshop

Send out ‘thank you’ emails to the participants and speakers

Help facilitate connections between speakers and participants, if requested