The Institute promotes ethical reflection and engagement through its research, education and practice in five core areas: Human Rights, Global Migration, Rethinking Regulation, Moral Attitudes and Decision-Making, and Religions and Public Life.

It was established in response to philanthropist Frank Hawkins Kenan's concern about what he perceived to be an increasing lack of ethical standards in public affairs and in business life.

The Institute also established a graduate fellows program; started a regular DukeImmerse trip; ran the third Winter Forum; launched a FOCUS cluster; and hired three faculty jointly with Trinity College.

Duke Immerse: Uprooted/Rerouted focused entirely on the issue of forced migration, particularly on the clandestine experience of UNHCR registered refugees navigating the complex world of international aid.

While in country, students performed life story interviews, studied the target language and assessed aid organizations that were operating to help specific refugee populations in-country.

Student also wrote articles on specific areas of study such as religion, gender and identity that were later compiled into magazines published by the Kenan Institute for Ethics.