Researcher Details |

Alan Kearns

Dr Alan J. Kearns is an Assistant Professor of Ethics at DCU's School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music. He originally trained as a second-level teacher and taught English at the Fachsprachenzentrum, University of Tübingen in Germany. His PhD, which examined the concept of person in health care ethics, was the first doctorate to be presented and defended in the then newly established School of Nursing at Dublin City University.

Alan has taught Business Ethics at Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology and at the DCU Business School. He also has taught Nursing Ethics at Beaumont Hospital and Philosophy & Ethics at the School of Nursing at DCU.

Alan joined the academic staff of Mater Dei Institute of Education, a former College of DCU, in 2005. During his time there, he was the lead developer for the MA in Ethics programme. He was the Chair of the college’s Research Ethics Committee from 2009 to 2016.

Presently, Alan teaches a number of introductory ethics modules as well as applied ethics modules in the area of bioethics and other contemporary issues. He is the Chair and Academic Coordinator of the MA in Ethics and MA in Ethics (Corporate Responsibility) programmes.

Alan is the Chair of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee.

Alan is also a Member of the DCU Institute of Ethics.

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2024	Crean, D., Gordijn, B., & Kearns, A. J. (2024) 'Impact and Assessment of Research Integrity Teaching: A Systematic Literature Review'. Science and Engineering Ethics, (30).
	2023	Farrell, M., Gordijn, B., and Kearns, A. J. (2023) 'Accountability, human rights and social justice in public sector recordkeeping'. Archival Science, 23 (2):161-185.
	2023	Crean, D., Gordijn, B. and Kearns, A. (2023) 'Teaching research integrity as discussed in research integrity codes: A systematic literature review'. Accountability in Research, 13 :1-24.
	2022	Kearns, Alan J. (2022) 'The principle of double effect and external whistleblowing in nursing'. Nursing Outlook, 70 (6):807-819.
	2021	Alan J. Kearns (2021) 'Should nurses take a COVID-19 vaccine?'. Nursing Outlook, :1-9.
	2021	Kearns, Alan J., and Kearns, Thomas (2021) 'European Nursing Council Code for European nursing and the UN Sustainable Development Goals'. Nursing Ethics, 28 (4):498-514.
	2021	Kearns, Alan J. (2021) 'The principle of salvage in the context of COVID‐19'. Nursing Inquiry, 28 (1).
	2020	Kearns, Alan J. (2020) 'Ought implies can” & missed care'. Nursing Philosophy, 21 (1).
	2019	Kearns, Alan J. (2019) 'The ethical demand in teaching and learning'. Teaching and Teacher Education, 86 .
	2018	Kearns, Alan J. (2018) 'The Teaching of Ethics by Religion Teachers in Second Level Schools in the Republic of Ireland'. Religious Education, 113 (5):477-488.
	2018	Alan J. Kearns and Bert Gordijn (2018) 'Withholding and Withdrawing Life-Saving Treatment: Ordinary/Extraordinary Means, Autonomy & Futility'. Analiza i Egzystencja, (42):5-33.
	2017	Kearns, Alan J. (2017) 'Rebuilding Trust: Ireland’s CSR Plan in the Light of Caritas in Veritate'. Journal of Business Ethics, 146 (4):845-857.
	2014	Kearns, Alan J. (2014) 'Catholic Social Teaching as a Framework for Research Ethics'. Journal of Academic Ethics, 12 (2):145-159.
	2014	Alan Kearns (2014) 'What is Research Ethics?'. REA: RELIGION, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS, .
	2011	Alan J. Kearns (2011) 'Facing Bioethical Issues in the Context of the Catholic Tradition'. REA: RELIGION, EDUCATION AND THE ARTS, .
	2010	Kearns, A. J., O'Mathuna, D., and Scott, P. A. (2010) 'Diagnostic self-testing: Autonomous choices and relational responsibilities'. Bioethics, 24 (4):199-207.

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2024	Alan J. Kearns (2024) 'Principles and Nursing Ethics' In: Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics. Cham : Springer.
	2024	Alan J. Kearns (2024) 'The Ethics of Communication Technologies in the Provision of Remote, Home-Based Nursing Care' In: Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics. Cham : Springer.
	2024	Alan J. Kearns and Ethna Regan (2024) 'Introduction' In: Critical Questions in Contemporary Theology: Essays in Honour of Dermot A. Lane. Oxford : Peter Lang.
	2022	Alan J. Kearns (2022) 'Leadership as Stewardship: What Does the Story of the Unjust Steward Have to Say?' In: Leadership and Business Ethics. Dordrecht : Springer.
	2020	Alan J. Kearns, Nathan Emmerich, and Bert Gordijn (2020) 'The Distinction between Ordinary and Extraordinary Treatment: Can It Be Maintained?' In: Contemporary European Perspectives on the Ethics of End of Life Care. Cham : Springer.
	2017	Alan J. Kearns (2017) 'The Concept of Person' In: Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics. Cham, Switzerland : Springer.
	2017	Alan J.Kearns (2017) 'A Duty-Based Approach for Nursing Ethics & Practice' In: Key Concepts and Issues in Nursing Ethics. Cham, Switzerland : Springer.
	2010	Alan Kearns (2010) 'Codes of Ethics in a Secular Age: Loss or Empowerment of Moral Agency?' In: The Taylor Effect: Responding to a Secular Age. United Kingdom : Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
	2008	Alan Kearns (2008) 'Citizenship and World Ethos' In: Community - Constitution - Ethos: Democratic Values and Citizenship Facing Globalization. Dublin : Otior Press.

Edited Book

	Year	Publication
	2024	Ethna Regan and Alan J. Kearns (Ed.). (2024) Critical Questions in Contemporary Theology: Essays in Honour of Dermot A. Lane. Oxford: Peter Lang,
	2010	Ian Leask;Eoin Cassidy;Alan Kearns;Fainche Ryan;Mary Shanahan (Ed.). (2010) The Taylor Effect: Responding to a Secular Age. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing,

Book

	Year	Publication
	2007	Alan Kearns (2007) The Concept of Person in a World Mediated by Meaning and Constituted by Significance. United Kingdom: Pneuma Springs.

Other Journal

	Year	Publication
	2022	Alan J. Kearns & Kathy Jacobs (2022) 'Ethics & Culture' Irish Compliance Quarterly, (Winter) :48-51.
	2015	Alan J. Kearns (2015) 'The 5-C Principles for the School Community' 9 :188-192.
	2008	Alan J. Kearns (2008) 'A Global Ethic: A Compass for both Personal and Community Values' 3 :26-29.

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2023	Alan J. Kearns (2023) Meeting of the WHO Europe Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers Ethics of ‘Care in Telehealth’ Bucharest, .
	2023	Alan J. Kearns (2023) Central Bank of Ireland Presentation on Ethics and Finance Dublin, Ireland, .
	2022	Alan J. Kearns (2022) Presentation to European Nursing Council Online/Remote Patient Care & Assessment in Nursing Practice: Ethical Questions & Issues RCSI, Dublin, Ireland, .
	2022	Alan J. Kearns (2022) 29th Annual International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference Permissibility in Unethical or Unjust Acts: Revisiting Cooperation and Appropriation in the Context of Business Ethics St John's University (Online), .
	2022	Alan J. Kearns (2022) Die Würde des Menschen Patients’ Rights - An Ethical Perspective Against the Backdrop of Covid-19 University of Education, Weingarten, Germany, .
	2021	Alan J. Kearns (2021) 28th Annual International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference The Principle of Double Effect & Whistleblowing Online - Hosted by DePaul University (Chic, .
	2020	Alan J. Kearns and Gabriel Flynn (2020) 27th International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference Social Entrepreneurship: A Kantian Reflection Online - Hosted by Niagara University, 22/10/2020-24/10/2020.
	2019	Alan J. Kearns (2019) 26th International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference (IVBEC) 2019 Ethics & Capitalism DCU All Hallows Campus, 24/10/2019-26/10/2019.
	2018	Alan J. Kearns (2018) ACOI 2018 Conference: Culture, Conduct & Compliance Panelists Discussion on Ethical Issues Regarding Artificial Intelligence Dublin, 08/11/2018-08/11/2018.
	2018	Alan J. Kearns (2018) Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Study Day Ordinary and Extraordinary Treatment: An Ethical Perspective Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, .
	2018	Alan J. Kearns (2018) Ethics of End of Life Care – Current Positions and Controversial Issues Ordinary and Extraordinary Means Dublin City University, 12/06/2018-12/06/2018.
	2018	Alan J. Kearns (2018) 25th Anniversary International Vincentian Business Ethics Conference The Concept of Scandal in Business Ethics New York, 25/10/2018-27/10/2018.
	2017	Alan J. Kearns (2017) Public Lecture Given at Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten The Teaching of Ethics in Irish Second-Level Schools Germany, 03/05/2017-03/05/2017.
	2014	Alan Kearns (2014) 21st Vincentian Business Ethics Conference Rebuilding “Social Capital”: An Examination of Ireland’s National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility in the light of Caritas in Veritate All Hallows College, Dublin, .
	2013	Alan Kearns (2013) Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Study Day Ethics: The Basics Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, .
	2012	Alan J. Kearns (2012) Research Ethics Workshop Research Ethics St James Hospital, Dublin, .
	2012	Alan J. Kearns (2012) 31st Annual Conference of the National Association of Healthcare Chaplains Chaplaincy & the “Moral Space Dublin, .
	2011	Alan J. Kearns (2011) Globalising European Bioethics Educatio What is the Biggest Challenge in Teaching European Bioethics? DCU, .
	2009	Alan J. Kearns (2009) 'A Secular Age': Tracing the Contours of Religion and Belief Codes of Ethics in a Secular Age: Loss or Empowerment of Moral Agency? Mater Dei Institute of Education, Dublin, .
	2006	Alan J. Kearns (2006) Health4Life Conference Ethical Issues and Challenges with Diagnostic Testing DCU, .
	2006	Alan J. Kearns (2006) 10th International Philosophy of Nursing Conference I can find out myself! Opportunities and Challenges of Diagnostic Self-Testing - An Ethical Perspective DCU, .
	2004	Alan J. Kearns (2004) 4th Interdisciplinary Conference in the Humanities and Social Sciences Static and Dynamic Moralities in Health Care Ethics DCU, .
	2004	Alan J. Kearns (2004) Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology The Pygmalion Danger in Health Care Ethics Trinity College, Dublin, .
	2003	Alan J. Kearns (2003) The Blind Born: Concepts of Person in a Disenchanted World The 7th International Philosophy of Nursing Conference University of Stirling, Scotland, .
	2002	Alan J. Kearns (2002) 6th International Philosophy of Nursing Conference The Nature of Debate & The Role of the Philosopher DCU, .

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences Research Ethics Committee		01/09/2024 -
	University Research Ethics Committee		01/09/2024 -
	School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music Ethics Review Panel		04/09/2016 -
	MA in Ethics Programme Board/Postgraduate Programme Board		01/09/2010 -
	DCU Academic Council		11/10/2016 - 01/09/2020
	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Teaching & Learning Committee		30/03/2016 - 01/09/2020
	Mater Misericordiae University Hospital Research Ethics Committee		22/05/2014 -
	Institute of Community Health Nursing Research Ethics Committee		04/09/2016 - 04/09/2020
	Ethics Committtee, An Bord Altranais (Irish Nursing Board)		01/09/2008 - 13/05/2013
	Health Care Chaplaincy Board		01/09/2008 - 01/09/2012
	REC, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra		01/09/2007 - 01/09/2016
	Clinical Ethics Forum, Beaumont Hospital		04/09/2006 - 04/09/2012
	Research Ethics Committee, Mater Dei Institute		13/09/2006 - 01/09/2016
	Academic Council, Mater Dei Institute of Education		20/09/2006 - 01/09/2016
	Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bioethics Committee		01/06/2007 - 01/01/2010
	RIA Philosophy and Ethics Committee		01/09/2009 - 01/09/2013

Languages

	Language	Reading	Writing	Speaking
	German			Functional

Creative Outputs

	Year	Title	Type
	2022	'Ethics & Culture' Podcast Recording of The Compliance Files of the Compliance Institute	Recording

Research Interests

My research interests include: Philosophical Ethics and Health Care/Nursing Ethics.