Student Researcher Engaging Ethics Program

The Engaging Ethics Program

Description of Spring 2026 Student Research positions

Made possible by an Educating Character Initiative Grant

from Wake Forest University & the Lilly Foundation Inc.

September 2025-2028

Salem Colleges Engaging Ethics program seeks five student researchers to assist with research projects during the Spring 2026 semester to support work for the Touchstones for Character: Gender Care and Justice grant-funded project. Particular topics and projects include:

1. Research on approaches to dialogue across difference currently being used at other colleges and universities;
2. Research on approaches to honor codes and communities of honor at other colleges and universities along with the history of honor traditions at Salem College;
3. Research on assessment tools such as the VIA Character Strengths assessment;
4. Research on intersections between feminist care ethics and character education and how both are being cultivated within Salems Engaging Ethics program particularly in relation to Salems touchstones of Courage Integrity Justice Care and Respect.

Each student researcher will work closely with a particular faculty or staff mentor and will also report to Professor Diane Lipsett.

Student researchers will:

• Demonstrate curiosity and interest in their research project
• Have strong skills in organizing time tasks and research materials
• Be reliable and collaborative in working with a faculty or staff mentor
• Be able to describe the research skills they have already developed and aim to continue developing

Student researchers will each be paid $13/hour and will each work at least 25 hours from January - April 2026. A clear timetable for work and project goals will be decided in consultation with the faculty or staff mentor and with Dr. Lipsett. At the end of the research period student researchers will submit a reflective journal about their experience.

Salem College policies state that students may not hold two on-campus hourly positions simultaneously. You may however pause one form of employment to do the work of this position then resume your other employment once the Engaging Ethics work is complete.

If you are interested in one of these student research positions please contact Dr. Diane Lipsett with a brief (one paragraph) statement of interest before 5 p.m. on Thursday January 22 2026 at Dr. Lipsett will schedule interviews and request appropriate supporting documents.