Dr. Scott Kline Heads West to be Visiting Scholar in Ethics
Photo: Bryn Gladding
What do presidents of universities do after they finish their term? For Dr. Scott Kline, whose time as Interim President and Vice Chancellor at St. Jerome’s University concluded in June, the answer is go west. Dr. Kline was recently appointed a one-year role as the first Visiting Scholar in Ethics for St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia and Providence Health Care. The position begins in January 2021.
The Visiting Scholar in Ethics is a component of the Catholic Health Care Ethics Fund, established in 2019 by the Archdiocese in Vancouver. St. Mark’s and Providence Health Care have united to address the need for enhanced ethics in Catholic health care, by using clinical experiential learning, academic research, and teaching at St. Paul’s Hospital and at St. Mark’s. Dr. Kline’s work while in this role will focus on teaching courses, continuing his research, and providing lectures to both organizations and the public.
“Scott Kline has worked productively and creatively for many years at the interface of ethics, public policy, and Catholic thought. His professional expertise and engaging leadership will be a boon for all,” stated Dr. Michael W. Higgins, former St. Jerome’s University President (1999-2006), and current St. Mark’s College President and Vice-Chancellor.
Dr. Kline has a PhD in Christian Social ethics, and works as an associate professor in St. Jerome’s University’s Religious Studies department. He brings experience as St. Jerome’s University’s Interim President and Vice Chancellor (2019-2020), and extensive knowledge of academic teaching, researching, and work as a theologian, to the Visiting Scholar role. He is also author of Ethical Being: A Catholic Guide to Contemporary Issues. Dr. Kline’s current research, which he conducts with his wife Dr. Megan Shore, focuses on the role of faith-based organizations in systems approaches to homelessness. He is also involved in a neighbour saving neighbour research project with Dr. Jim Christenson at Providence Health Care, focused on rapid and effective responses to cardiac arrests.
“St. Jerome’s University is pleased to support Dr. Scott Kline’s appointment at St. Mark’s College/UBC and Province Healthcare’s inaugural Visiting Scholar in Ethics,” notes SJU President and Vice Chancellor Peter Meehan. “This represents not only an endorsement of Scott’s body of work in the field of Christian ethics as both a scholar and teacher, but also his commitment to bringing his very accessible approach to addressing the complex moral and ethical challenges facing the world today.”