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Cultivating virtue in postgraduates: An empirical study of the Oxford Global Leadership Initiative

Brant, Jonathan; Lamb, Michael; Burdett, Emily; Brooks, Edward

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Authors

Jonathan Brant

Michael Lamb

Edward Brooks



Abstract

Although virtue ethics has emerged as an influential ethical theory within the academy, universities have not generally taken up the practical task of virtue cultivation. Some academics even resist the effort altogether. In response, this article presents an early-stage evaluation of one effort to cultivate virtue in postgraduate students, a theoretically derived and empirically measured character development programme at the University of Oxford. The study uses a pre- and post-test experimental design to assess whether participation results in measurable growth of four character virtues. Quantitative data offer evidence for modest improvement with respect to two of the four focal virtues measured, while qualitative data suggest that future iterations should ensure that participants are given both reflective, conceptual tools and practical, everyday tasks to cultivate virtue. The article provides both empirical support and future directions for ongoing research and programme development for cultivating virtue in the university.

Citation

Brant, J., Lamb, M., Burdett, E., & Brooks, E. (2019). Cultivating virtue in postgraduates: An empirical study of the Oxford Global Leadership Initiative. Journal of Moral Education, 49(4), 415-435. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2019.1682977

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 16, 2019
Online Publication Date Nov 13, 2019
Publication Date Nov 13, 2019
Deposit Date Nov 29, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Moral Education
Print ISSN 0305-7240
Electronic ISSN 1465-3877
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 49
Issue 4
Pages 415-435
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2019.1682977
Keywords Character; Virtue; University; Higher education; Postgraduates; Measurement
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3443856
Publisher URL https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03057240.2019.1682977
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Moral Education on 13.11.2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/03057240.2019.1682977

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