Transformative Learning in Digital Bioethics Education: An Interdisciplinary Lecture Series on Human–Animal Relationships

Abstract

This study presents an interdisciplinary digital lecture series on human–animal relationships developed at Witten/Herdecke University. The course explored ethical, ecological, and health-related aspects of animal–human interactions within the frameworks of One Health and planetary health. Grounded in Transformative Learning Theory, the 14-week series combined expert-led lectures with live polls, Q&A sessions, and a participatory Barcamp. The course was open to students and the general public. Quantitative data were collected on participation, interaction, and reflective journal submissions. A total of 1382 individuals registered while the mean number of participants per session was 470.5 (SD = 60.9). Sessions on ethically sensitive topics such as animal ethics, hunting or transportation generated particularly high engagement during sessions. In total, 291 journals were submitted, demonstrating reflective depth and personal involvement. The findings underscore the potential of digital lecture series to foster ethical awareness and interdisciplinary dialogue. The model offers a transferable approach for integrating animal ethics into health curricula and advancing bioethical literacy across audiences. This manuscript presents Part 1 of a two-part study focusing on implementation, reach, and engagement; Part 2 will report pre–post survey outcomes using validated instruments to assess learning and perspective change.