Introducing the Uehiro Oxford Institute

Today we’re launching the Uehiro Oxford Institute – a new interdisciplinary research institute at the University of Oxford. We look forward to new collaborations, research and engagement in helping us to achieve our new mission, responding to the ethical question of how we should act and live in light of the great challenges faced by humanity today.

Established in 2024 through a generous benefaction from the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education, the Uehiro Oxford Institute aims to advance well-being and global harmony by fostering world-leading research on the most important ethical questions, and by research-led assistance in ethical decision-making outside the Institute.

The ultimate concern of the Institute will be the ethical question of how we should act and live in light of the great challenges faced by humanity. We see this question as ultimately philosophical, and so the Institute will have especially close links with philosophy, and in particular the philosophers and the Faculty of Philosophy at Oxford. But properly to understand these challenges, and to develop solutions to them, requires expertise from many disciplines. Our research staff will therefore include experts from a range of relevant disciplines, and will engage closely with researchers in the humanities, including literature, art, and history, as well as medical, natural, and social sciences.

Mr Tetsuji Uehiro, Chairman of the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education, said: ‘1 October 2024 will be an unforgettable day for all of us at the Uehiro Foundation, as the Uehiro Oxford Institute sets out on its long journey to confront the ethical challenges facing humanity. Throughout our 37-year history, we at the Uehiro Foundation have regarded the University of Oxford with deep respect as one of the best candidates for our patronage. We wish the institute the greatest success!’

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: ‘The ethical challenges facing humanity today are greater and more numerous than at any point in our history. To understand them, and find the best ways to confront them, the Uehiro Oxford Institute will draw on the expertise of our world-leading researchers across the University. We are deeply grateful to the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education for this exciting and positive initiative following more than two decades of their generous support.’

Professor Roger Crisp, Director of the Uehiro Oxford Institute, said: ‘It is a great honour and privilege to be asked to serve as founding director of the Uehiro Oxford Institute. The question lying behind our work will be: ‘How should we live?’ That question is philosophical, but fully answering it requires expertise from many disciplines. We are much looking forward to working with our colleagues here in Oxford and elsewhere, as well as to bringing Oxford’s ‘research-led’ culture to engagement with the public.’

We welcome inquiries from media, those seeking consultancy, and anyone interested in our work. Please don't hesitate to contact us.