Care Ethics Research Consortium (CERC)
The International Care Ethics Research Consortium (CERC) connects researchers and scholars who work in the field of care ethics and care theory. It is an epicenter where people with a commitment to care from all continents meet each other. A community to freely explore and connect emerging insights on the topic of care with colleagues and peers, and share or co-produce publications, develop and execute research, and share teachings.
Clearinghouse, meeting space, knowledge exchange
The Consortium is a:
- Clearinghouse where ideas and research projects or publications are negotiated and carried out;
- Meeting space: to freely explore and connect emerging insights with colleagues during conferences and shared publications or to explore possibilities for visiting scholarships;
- Knowledge platform: to systematically gather, connect and share critical insights with each other, students, the world.
Founders Joan Tronto and Carlo Leget

CERC is based at the University of Humanistic Studies in The Netherlands, works in collaboration with Drew University (Medical Humanities) and was founded in 2016 by professor emerita Joan Tronto and professor Carlo Leget. Professor Tronto is one of care ethics’ pioneers and an internationally recognized political theorist. Professor Leget is chair of the Dutch Care Ethics group at the University of Humanistic Studies (UHS) in the Netherlands. This university hosts the only Master in Care Ethics globally, and professor Tronto holds an honorary doctorate at this university.
Coordinators Inge van Nistelrooij and Merel Visse
Scholars in the field of care ethics, care theory or related fields who want to stay updated about the activities of the International Care Ethical Research Consortium can contact the coordinators Dr. Inge van Nistelrooij (i.vannistelrooij@uvh.nl), or Dr. Merel Visse (mvisse@drew.edu).

