Johns Hopkins UniversityEst. 1876

America’s First Research University
30th Anniversary

30th Anniversary

Celebrating Three Decades of Leadership and Excellence in Bioethics

Since its origin as a small, diverse collection of scholars with shared interests in the ethics of health care and science, the Berman Institute has grown over the past three decades into a leader that helps shape policy and practice worldwide.

Founded in 1995 as a bold interdisciplinary effort bringing together scholars from medicine, public health, philosophy, law, the humanities, and the sciences, the Institute has grown into a global leader in bioethics—advancing research, informing public policy, preparing future leaders, and helping society navigate some of the most consequential ethical questions in health care, science, and technology.

As the Berman Institute marks its 30th anniversary, we invite you to join us for a yearlong celebration of the people, ideas, discoveries, and collaborations that have defined our first three decades and will shape its future. Through special events, academic symposia, innovative outreach, and community gatherings, the anniversary celebration will honor a remarkable legacy while looking ahead to the next generation of challenges and opportunities.

Together, we’ll celebrate 30 years of leadership in bioethics and imagine what comes next.

30th Anniversary News and Events

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iDeas Lab’s Award-Winning “playing god?” Podcast Returns for Season Two
Six new episodes explore bioethics questions through powerful human stories
Robert H. Levi Leadership Symposium in Bioethics and Health Policy
September 17, 2026
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

“Transparent and Community-Engaged Communication about Institutional Use of Unconsented Health Data”

Installation of the Ruth R. Faden Professor of Education in Bioethics
In Fall 2026 the Berman Institute will install and dedicate a newly endowed professorship in bioethics education established through the generosity of the Institute’s Advisory Board Chair Alexander Levi and his wife, Vicki Gold Levi

Timeline

The Berman Institute has made an immeasurable impact on humanity, growing into a global leader in bioethics.

View milestones marking that progress

Historic Highlights

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Historic Highlight: Deering Hall Provides a Permanent Home
The 2011 conversion of a historic East Baltimore building brings the Berman Institute together under one roof
Historic Highlight: Berman Institute Receives Transformational Gift
$15 million gift from Dr. Alexander and Vicki Levi to support the education and training of future leaders in the field of bioethics
Historic Highlight: Jeffrey Kahn Appointed to Second Term as Director of Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics
Since assuming leadership role in 2016, he has enhanced the institute’s stature in the field, strengthened support for students and faculty, and fostered cross-divisional partnerships

Sustaining Faculty Excellence

Endowed professorships help attract and retain outstanding scholars, honoring individual achievement and advancing the Institute’s expertise in particular areas of research.

Meet our 7 endowed faculty

Leadership and Support

Engaged and generous philanthropic supporters have been integral to the Berman Institute’s growth and impact.

Learn More

Areas of Impact

For 30 years, the Berman Institute has helped shape the field of bioethics. Read about our historic areas of impact and where we're going next.

Research Ethics
A worldwide leader, the Berman Institute is recognized both for our sustained expertise in foundational issues in research ethics and our ability to develop expertise and authority in emerging issues.

Public Health Ethics
The Berman Institute has helped shaped this field by advancing foundational concepts, informing policy, and developing practical frameworks for ethically grounded public health action.

Global Bioethics
The Berman Institute has a robust history of expertise in global bioethics and is a leading institution for engagement in international collaborative bioethics training, research, and service.

Science Ethics
The Berman Institute has made foundational contributions to science ethics, shaping how scientific research is conducted, governed, and translated into policy.

Clinical Ethics
The Berman Institute holds an institutional commitment to clinical ethics, seeking to help shape the standards, practices, and intellectual foundations that guide ethical decision-making in health care.

Public Bioethics
The Berman Institute plays a leading role in translating complex bioethics scholarship into accessible, relevant, and timely information for the general public.

Educational Offerings
The Berman Institute’s educational programs have played a vital role in establishing bioethics as a professional and scholarly field and continue to help shape its future by preparing the next generation of bioethics leaders.

With the creation of the Berman Institute 30 years ago, Johns Hopkins formally recognized how important it is for scholars to think systemically and critically about the ethics of health care, public health, and biomedical and behavioral research. A truly interdisciplinary center, the Institute brings together expertise from across the University to collaborate and contribute substantially to the world of ideas that advance society and improve people’s lives.”
Ronald J. Daniels
President
Johns Hopkins University