The Institute for Business and Professional Ethics (IBPE) at DePaul University is pleased to announce that Jay Cunningham and Valerie Koch have been selected as the 2026–2027 Wicklander Fellows. The annual fellowship supports innovative faculty research that advances the understanding and practice of ethics in business, the professions, and public life.
Selected from a competitive pool of applicants across the university, Cunningham and Koch were recognized for research projects that address timely and significant ethical challenges facing society.
Jay Cunningham, Assistant Professor of Computer Science (Human-Computer Interaction) in DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), was selected for his research examining the ethical implications of AI-enabled surveillance in Chicago. Reviewers noted the project's timeliness, strong alignment with the mission of the Institute, and its potential to contribute meaningfully to contemporary conversations about technology, privacy, and responsible innovation. Dr. Cunningham also directs the Responsible AI Systems & Societal Experiences (RAISE) Lab, conducting human-centered research on responsible AI and socio-technical computing for the common good.
Valerie Koch, Associate Professor of Law in DePaul University's College of Law, was selected for her work exploring informed legal consent and related questions in medical ethics. Her proposal was recognized for its potential to generate impact beyond academia and to inform important discussions at the intersection of law, ethics, healthcare, and professional practice. Prof. Koch is also Director of the Mary and Michael Jaharis Health Law Institute at DePaul University’s College of Law and Director of law and ethics at the University of Chicago MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics.
“We are thrilled to support Professors Cunningham and Koch as our 2026–2027 Wicklander Fellows,” said Summer Brown, Executive Director of the Institute for Business and Professional Ethics. “Their projects reflect the interdisciplinary excellence of DePaul faculty and exemplify the Institute's commitment to fostering research that addresses pressing ethical issues in our communities and professions.”
As Wicklander Fellows, Cunningham and Koch will receive financial support for their research and will engage with the Institute's broader efforts to promote ethical leadership, scholarship, and dialogue across disciplines. The fellowship is funded through the Wicklander Endowment and is awarded annually to faculty members whose work advances ethical inquiry and practical impact.
About the Institute for Business and Professional Ethics
The Institute for Business and Professional Ethics at DePaul University promotes ethical reflection and responsible practice through research, education, dialogue, and community engagement. Through programs such as the Wicklander Fellowship, the Institute supports faculty scholarship that contributes to understanding and addressing ethical issues in business, law, technology, healthcare, government, and society.
Contact
Summer Brown, Executive Director
Institute for Business and Professional Ethics (IBPE)
DePaul University
312-362-8786, sbrown15@depaul.edu