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.