Meet the New McDonough Faculty: Matthew Caulfield

We are pleased to welcome new faculty members to the Georgetown McDonough community this fall.

In our Meet the New McDonough Faculty Series, learn more about the interests, specialties, experiences, and personalities behind the talented academics at the McDonough School of Business.

We spoke with Matthew Caufield, assistant professor of strategy, economics, ethics, and public policy, about what he hopes to accomplish at Georgetown through his engagement with students, classroom philosophy, and beyond.

Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to Georgetown.

I arrived at Georgetown after spending three years on the faculty at Fordham University, and I received my Ph.D. from the Wharton School. Georgetown’s investment in business ethics (and ethics more generally) made it an ideal place for me to land.

What is your area(s) of expertise, and what subject(s) are you most passionate about teaching or researching?

I work in philosophical business ethics, and also do interdisciplinary work in nonmarket strategy and corporate governance. In recent research, I have been most excited in thinking about ways firms can form commitments and build institutional mechanisms to ensure they follow them.

In teaching business ethics, likely my favorite session is my first or second lecture, where my mission is to show students why ethics does not just involve bandying about opinions — that they can think rigorously and analytically about their values and beliefs, and where those values and beliefs lead them.

How would you describe your work or teaching philosophy?

My teaching is largely Socratic, involving students in the discovery process. When people picture ethics class, they sometimes picture discussions that go in circles. The Socratic method helps us to realize we are making some sort of progress together, reaching a deeper understanding, and narrowing down the options on the table. It’s also just more fun.

What are you most looking forward to about your work at Georgetown McDonough?

My colleagues have been the highlight so far. There’s nothing that inspires more ideas for me than talking to people from across so many disciplines who are leaders in their fields.

What do you hope to bring to the McDonough community?

I hope to bring enthusiasm for engagement and exchange. I love the life and work of a scholar and teacher, and hope I can share that enthusiasm with others.

What is your favorite book, movie, podcast, or quote?

My most watched movie is probably Gettysburg (1993). And long before I arrived to Georgetown, I was a huge fan of The West Wing (and Aaron Sorkin more generally).