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| The final event of the Science in Society Programme took take place at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in Westminster on 16th October 2007. This meeting discussed the science in society issues that have arisen over the five years of the Programme, including the government's position on public trust and understanding of science and the role of scientists in society.
Speakers included Professor Arie Rip of the University of Twente, Lord Rees of Ludlow and Phil Willis MP.
Researchers from the Programme were also on hand to discuss their research and its implications for public policy decision making. | Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster
| 16th October 2007, 10am-4pm
| Date Posted - 01.06.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities.
We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Science and governance brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme. | Park Plaza Hotel
Greyfriars Road
Cardiff CF10 3AL
| 12th July 2007
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities.
We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Genomics brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme.
This workshop is being organised in conjunction with the ESRC Genomics Forum, based at the University of Edinburgh. | ESRC Genomics Forum, University of Edinburgh
| 26th June 2007
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities.
We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Science and the economy brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme. | Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne
| 25th June 2007
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities.
We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Science and gender, ethnicity and the lifecycle brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme. | Peepul Centre
Orchardson Avenue
Leicester
LE4 6DP
| 16th May 2007
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities.
We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Science and globalization brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme. | University of Sussex Conference Centre, Bramber House, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton
| 23rd April 2007
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The past decade has witnessed growing intensity of university-industry ties and academic knowledge capitalisation. Some argue that the enhanced economic role of universities in the knowledge-based economy is transforming the division of labour between university and industry from the traditionally separate institutional spheres towards an overlapping knowledge infrastructure characterised by two-way flows of knowledge and people. Tighter business connections and knowledge capitalisation may also transform the norms and reward structures of science, and influence the occupational roles and career experiences of academic scientists. Recent research has drawn attention to the growth of an ‘entrepreneurial academic paradigm’ and emergence of a ‘dual cognitive mode’ among academic scientists focused both on achieving fundamental advances in knowledge and commercial capitalisation of knowledge.
The aim of this workshop is to bring together researchers and practitioners to explore how closer ties between university and industry are transforming the nature of work roles and professional orientations of university scientists. It will examine issues of motivation and incentives in knowledge transfer between university and industry, and more generally how networked innovation is transforming the role of universities in a knowledge-based economy. The workshop will present the results of recent studies in the UK and some other European countries, and also include contributions from leading academic scientists and practitioners. It will conclude with a forum for discussing the policy and research issues arising. | International Boardroom IN244, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham
| 29th March 2007
10am - 5pm
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| The morning will consist of an academic synthesis workshop for members of the programme community. We will discuss the research that has taken place and its importance for the social science and public policy communities. We will then have a break for lunch, to which are invited as many of the users of the research and those who have been involved in project work are invited. At the lunch there will be the launch of the Science in Society Science and the economy brochure, which discusses the research projects within this theme. | Life Science Centre Times Square
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4EP
| 25th June from 10am
| Date Posted - 01.03.2007 |
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| This is the final meeting of the Science in Society Programme community. We will be considering the work of projects in the Programme and how these have consolidated the criteria set for the Programme as a whole. | Institute of Directors,
116 Pall Mall
London
| 17th November 2006
10am-5pm
| Date Posted - 1 November 2006 |
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| This one-day conference to be held in Newcastle Upon Tyne to bring together ESRC Science in Society researchers and actors from outside the Programme to discuss, understand and identify the benefits, barriers and solutions related to greater participation of women and ethnic minorities in SET, both in the public and private sectors, as well as discussing wider and emerging themes.
The proposed conference will built upon the guidelines in point 4(e) of the Science in Society Programme Third Call for Proposals specification document – Science and gender, ethnicity and the lifecycle. It will also take into account other projects from the same programme, such as the ‘Impact of Enlargement of Scientific Labour Markets’ and ‘Work Roles and Careers of Academic Scientists in University-Industry Collaboration’, as well as the following projects, initiatives and organisations;
· ESRC Science in Society Programme as a whole and in particular science and gender, ethnicity, and the lifecycle‘s theme
· Science City Initiative
· Higher Education European Social Fund (HE ESF National) Theme 4 ‘Research into Gender Discrimination‘
· North East of England Spirit of Innovation Awards (Pooran Wynarczyk is a member of the Judging Panel and the Awards include a new category, designed for SERU’s SET related projects entitled ‘Female Inventors’)
· Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) special seminar series (Pooran Wynarczyk is a Board Director)
Conference Themes Include:
· IPR, innovation invention, R&D and Spin out activities of women and members of the ethnic minority groups and impact on impact on regional technology, economy, society and personal progression
· SET education and career
· SET related initiatives, policies, programmes, tools and bursaries
· Gender and ethnicity in senior and managerial position within the SET community
· Diversity and equality issues
· SET trends with regards to gender and ethnicity
· Case studies, profiles
| Life Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
| 23rd November 2006
| Date Posted - 1 November 2006 |
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| Research on ethnic differences in understandings of and responses to reproductive technologies is limited. There are however, a small number of researchers from within anthropology, sociology and psychology who are working on this issue in relatively isolated, often small scale projects in the UK and other European countries. Research in this area is not only of substantive interest but also has much to contribute to the wider research agenda addressing methodological issues in research within discourses of ethnic and cultural difference.
This colloquium is designed to bring together leading researchers and young researchers in the field of reproductive technologies and minority ethnic and migrant communities in the UK and European countries. It is also intended to contribute to important contemporary debates surrounding the ethical, methodological and political questions which researching ethnic and cultural difference raises. It is intended to address two key sets of issues:
1. Ethical, political and methodological considerations in researching ethnic difference. It is widely recognised by those engaged in the process that working with minority ethnic communities presents additional challenges for researchers. These include issues of recruitment of participants; researcher identity and the impact of commonality and difference on data collection/analysis; translation and interpretation; research fatigue and issues of reciprocity when working with sometimes deprived or marginalised communities. This is an opportunity to discuss some of these issues in a collegiate environment, with people who have experience in this process, and to include others who would like to learn more from those who have such experience.
2. Reproductive Technologies and Ethnic/Cultural Diversity. The emphasis here will be on infertility as disrupted reproduction and the technologies associated with assisted conception. It will provide an opportunity for both researchers from a number of social science disciplines and practitioners to discuss ongoing research in this emerging field of study and to consider the potential policy and practice implications of research findings. | Britannia Hotel, Leicester
| 11th-12th September 2006
| Date Posted - 1 September 2006 |
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| This international one day conference, being organised by Lab Innovator, will examine how to patent treatment methods and diagnostics to protect innovations within personalised medicines. We are facing a paradigm shift in the global life science industry today. Personalised medicines allow biotech and pharmaceutical companies to deliver customised drugs or treatment options that match each individual’s genetic make-up.
It is important to develop an IP strategy focusing on your personalised medicine innovations where genomic relationships are being used to customise a drug for specific target diseases. The key to success is the combination. Narrow claims protect your biotech invention and will successfully exclude your competitors to exploit the claimed genomic relationship in your patents.
We are pleased being able to present the pioneers within personalised drugs such as DeCode Genetics, Affymetrix, Myriad Genetics, IBM Healthcare & Life Sciences, Sanofi-Aventis and UCB Group sharing their best experiences to protect your personalised medicine innovations in the era of post-genomics.
Make your reservation no later than July 3rd to reduce exclusive early booking discount 15 % on the full conference fee 9.500 DKK + 25 % VAT. |
Radisson SAS Scandinavia Hotel
Copenhagen, Denmark
| 19 September 2006
| Date Posted - 19 July 2006 |
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| Innogen’s Annual Conference addresses the role of science and technology in providing solutions to end hunger, disease and poverty in developing countries through the following themes:
Rethinking agricultural science
Globalisation, life sciences and health
Network, partnerships and innovation users
Regulation and innovation
Industrial capabilities and development
Plenary speakers will include:
Judith Wakhungu, Executive Director, African Centre for Technology Studies.
John Mugabe, Science & Technology Advisor, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
Myles Wickstead, Former Head, Commission for Africa Secretariat
Hannah Kettler, Economist/Programme Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
| Regent's College, London
| 5 & 6 September 2006
| Date Posted - 19 July 2006 |
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| This workshop will bring together advanced doctoral researchers and recent PhDs from the social sciences and the arts and humanities to discuss new research and methods in the study of consumption. The aim is to foster dialogue across conventional disciplinary boundaries and to give young researchers a chance to share ideas and explore possibilities for future multidisciplinary collaboration.
Consumption involves a diverse set of practices, goods, and values that has attracted ever-expanding attention from a range of academic communities and research traditions, stretching from history and sociology to geography, economics, psychology, the creative and performing arts, philosophy and law. The expansion of this field makes it ever more challenging yet vital to create bridges between these disciplinary traditions and fields of inquiry. The workshop will be an opportunity for young researchers to meet and share their research, to enter into dialogue with researchers from other disciplines, to reflect about current methodological issues, and to explore possibilities for collaboration.
The workshop is organised by the Cultures of Consumption research programme, jointly sponsored by the ESRC and the AHRC, but is open to all interested young researchers from across the social sciences and the arts and humanities. The workshop will include panels and short presentations as well as more informal, flexible formats for joint discussion, and a roundtable to explore emerging directions of research with Prof. Peter Jackson (geography, Sheffield), Prof. Elizabeth Shove (sociology, Lancaster), and Dr. Frank Trentmann (history, Birkbeck).
Interested participants should submit by 1 September 2006 a one-page statement about their own research and the question or subject they would like to see explored at the workshop, plus a one-page short CV, including full contact details. Applicants should have recently completed their PhD or comparable degree, or be in the advanced stages of their doctoral research. Please send paper copies to: Stefanie Nixon, Cultures of Consumption research programme, Birkbeck College, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX. Please mark the outside of your envelope with ‘young researchers workshop’.
Places are limited. Availability will be confirmed by 2 October 2006. The Cultures of Consumption programme will pay for accommodation and economy-fare travel. Further guidance on making your travel arrangements will be issued once places have been confirmed.
For further information please see: www.consume.bbk.ac.uk or contact Stefanie Nixon at esrcConsume@bbk.ac.uk / 020 7079 0601.
| Goodenough College, Mecklenburgh Sqaure, London
| Wednesday 6th December - Friday 8th December 2006
| Date Posted - 28 June 2006 |
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| Recent advances in neuropharmacology open up the real prospect of improving human cognition, altering mood and enhancing other mental attributes. Drugs such as Prozac, Ritalin and Modafinil are widely used to treat serious medical conditions, but are also being taken for recreational and other non-medical purposes. Furthermore, other new medicines are in development that may improve attributes such as memory. These developments raise important social, ethical and policy questions.
To date, much of the debate on cognitive enhancement has been led by either bioethicists, concerned with normative questions about whether it is right to enhance mental capabilities, or transhumanists keen to build future visions of ‘better humans’. In particular, these discussions have focused on questions of benefits and risks, social justice versus the rights of the individual, and the balance between therapy and enhancement. This debate also touches on how these technologies should be governed and to what extent they should be under the control of the medical profession or available as consumer products. The potential of drugs to enhance cognition has started to be recognised by government and policy makers. For example, the OST Foresight report ‘Drug Futures 2025? Horizon Scan’ took seriously the prospect of cognitive enhancement, as did a recent collection of essays from Demos. An important question in this context is: what is realistic to expect of these new technologies, and what role do these hopes play in shaping current policy?
In contrast to questions of whether these powerful new drugs should be developed and who should control them, sociologists and social psychologists have been particularly interested in issues relating to identity and authenticity. For example, does the taking of Prozac change someone’s personality in a fundamental way? Who is the authentic child – the one on Ritalin who can concentrate and is less impulsive, or the same child who suffers from the symptoms of ADHD when not taking the drug? At the heart of these debates lie questions of what is normality and how our identities and subjectivities can be transformed.
Important insights about the use and experience of taking these drugs can also be gained from the work of clinicians involved in the use of these medicines for the treatment of ADHD, depression and forms of cognitive impairment. Here questions about the risk, benefits, meanings and transformative power of psychopharmacology come into sharp relief.
This seminar aims to bring together leading researchers from the fields of clinical medicine, social psychology and sociology to consider the prospects for cognitive enhancement, the social and ethical issues raised, and questions about the potential transformation of selfhood and identity.
Speakers:Professor Barbara Sahakian (Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge) – 'Neuroethical issues in cognitive enhancement' Dr Ilina Singh (BIOS Centre and Methodology Institute, LSE) – ‘The joys of badness and madness: What is the 'character of (an enhanced) childhood'?’ Dr Scott Vrecko (BIOS Centre, LSE) - 'The neuropolitics of enhancement'
The meeting will be Introduced by Professor Nikolas Rose (Sociology/ BIOS Centre, LSE) and chaired by Dr Paul Martin (IGBiS, University of Nottingham) and is the third in an ESRC funded seminar series on Neuroscience, Identity and Society
About the Neuroscience, Identity and Society seminar series:
Neuroscience is creating a wealth of new knowledge about the workings of the brain/mind and the biological basis of normal and abnormal cognition and behaviour. These developments raise profound questions for both individuals and society. There is a pressing need for critical reflection on neuroscience's claims and their social implications. Neuroscience directly challenges the social sciences, through its reconstruction of ideas of human agency, human affects and desires, normality and abnormality, the basis of social interaction and the foundations of society. The Neuroscience, Identity and Society seminar series will map out this challenge, seek areas of potential common ground, and stimulate critical engagement. In doing this, it is hoped that social scientists will make a major contribution to debates within the neurosciences themselves.
Aims:Analyse the development of contemporary neuroscience from a range of different disciplinary perspectives; Assess the implications of new scientific knowledge about the working of the brain/mind for individuals, society and public policy, and explore the challenges this poses to the social sciences; Investigate the possible contribution of the social sciences to key debates within the neurosciences; Map the state of the field in social studies of neuroscience and develop agendas for further research.
Postgraduates and junior scholars are encouraged to attend and participate in the series. A number of student travel bursaries are available.
Organisers: Dr Paul Martin and Professor Robert Dingwall (IGBiS, University of Nottingham), Professor Nikolas Rose (BIOS Centre, LSE)
Booking details: Numbers will be strictly limited to ensure plenty of opportunity for participation, so please book early. | Conference Room (R505) of the ESRC Research Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE), Library Building, London School of Economics | 11.30- 5.00 Tuesday 20th June 2006
| Date Posted - 12th June 2006 |
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| Call for abstracts
This high profile conference aims to bring together Science Society researchers,project members, other academics, practitioners, policy makers and actors discuss, understand and identify the benefits, barriers and solutions related to greater participation ethnic minorities in Science, Technology, both public and private sectors, as well as discussing and emerging themes. Conference themes include: IPR, innovation, R&D & spin out activities of women and members of ethnic minority groups Impact of scientific activities on regional competitiveness, economy, society and career progression SET pipeline, education and career SET related initiatives, policies, programmes and bursaries Gender in senior managerial positions within SET The gender gap in the scientific labour market and scientific activities in the public and private sector The role of science & discovery centres, science parks and incubators Diversity and equality issues SET trends with regard to gender and ethnicity Case studies, role models and profiles High technology female entrepreneurs
| Centre for Life, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
| 23rd November 2006
| Date Posted - 12th June 2006 |
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| This one-day international conference brings together scholars with an interest in the practical implications of new forms of regulation and audit in health care and biomedical research. | Leeds Social Science Institute
Beech Grove House
University of Leeds
| Tuesday 25th July 2006
10am - 5pm
| Date Posted - 12th June 2006 |
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| You are invited to attend the launch of a new pamphlet from Demos with responses from
Gordon Conway, Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Department for International Development,
John Mugabe from the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
and Suman Sahai from the Gene Campaign, Delhi
Thursday 22nd June 2006
9:30am – 1:30pm
Presentation, responses and discussion followed by informal lunch
Science and technology are climbing up the development agenda. Governments are racing to find solutions that will help poor people benefit from technological advances. But, with the race for economic growth and the race to find the ‘magic bullet,’ are we ignoring the views of citizens?
In this new pamphlet, Melissa Leach and Ian Scoones from the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Sussex argue that we need to avoid the temptation to go for the quick fix and instead concentrate on “the slow race” to make technology work for the poor. | Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
1 Carlton House Terrace
London
| Thursday 22nd June 2006
9.30am - 1.30pm
| Date Posted - 01 May 2006 |
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| How do non-governmental organisations commission, communicate and contest environmental science in order to influence public debate? How can we broker better relationships between scientists and those who translate their work into public debate? Do business and environmental NGOs consume and use science differently and what are the boundaries they set between science and non-science? Are there similarities in how different groups use and understand science?
Dr Sally Eden, Department of Geography, University of Hull and lead researcher on the ESRC-funded project Contesting environmental science: business and environmentalist NGOs will discuss her research and will be followed by a response from Doug Parr, Greenpeace. | Dana Centre, South Kensington, London, SW7 5HE
| 6th June 2006, 12.15pm for lunch; 12.45pm for seminar.
| Date Posted - 1st April 2006 |
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| This is the first lecture given jointly by the Science in Society Programme and the RSA. Daniel Neyland, Research Fellow at the Said Business School at the University of Oxford, will talk about his work on surveillance and CCTV. Daniel is currently working with Steve Woolgar on governance of mundane technologies within the Science in Society Programme.
Information on his latest book, on this issue, can be found at
http://www.palgrave.com/products/Catalogue.aspx?is=1403946701
For further details of the event, please see:
http://www.rsa.org.uk/events/detail.asp?eventID=1859
For an audio recording, please see
http://uc.princeton.edu/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=532&Itemid=20 | RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
| 7th June 2006
6pm
| Date Posted - 10 May 2006 |
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| A PIPES workshop will take place on Friday 5th May 2006 at Newcastle University on dementia and normal cognitive ageing. The research project ‘Boundary Work, Normal Ageing and Brain Pathology’ has over the past two years investigated how biomedical and social changes have interacted to transform the understanding of the boundaries between ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ cognitive ageing. It has identified important transitions and uncertainties in the biomedical and clinical understanding of dementia as well as in the social organisation of dementia care and its political framing.
This event is a research user workshop to discuss the implications of these results for future dementia research and care, for the culturally embedded knowledge about the experiences of older citizens, and to reflect on the role the diverse stakeholders could play in the debate. The panel will include an array of participants that will include specialist and non-specialist clinicians, biomedical researchers and ‘concerned’ lay members, including patient association/charity representatives, and dementia patients and their carers.
The diversity of participants will promote debate and enhance our understanding of the different viewpoints of the ageing process, how these views interact, and how they affect relations between older people, professionals and scientists.
The workshop, which is invitation only, will take place on Friday 5th May 2006 in Newcastle University’s Research Beehive which is situated on the main University campus. The workshop will begin at 10.00 a.m. and finish at 4.30 p.m. For more information, please contact Dr. Tiago Moreira (t.e.moreira@ncl.ac.uk) | University of Newcastle upon Tyne Research Beehive
| 5th May 2006
| Date Posted - 26th April 2006 |
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| Research on ethnic differences in understandings of and responses to reproductive technologies is limited. There are however, a small number of researchers from within anthropology, sociology and psychology who are working on this issue in relatively isolated, often small scale projects in the UK and other European countries. Research in this area is not only of substantive interest but also has much to contribute to the wider research agenda addressing methodological issues in research within discourses of ethnic and cultural difference.
This colloquium is designed to bring together leading researchers and young researchers in the field of reproductive technologies and minority ethnic and migrant communities in the UK and European countries. It is also intended to contribute to important contemporary debates surrounding the ethical, methodological and political questions which researching ethnic and cultural difference raises. It is intended to address two key sets of issues:
1. Ethical, political and methodological considerations in researching ethnic difference. It is widely recognised by those engaged in the process that working with minority ethnic communities presents additional challenges for researchers. These include issues of recruitment of participants; researcher identity and the impact of commonality and difference on data collection/analysis; translation and interpretation; research fatigue and issues of reciprocity when working with sometimes deprived or marginalised communities. This is an opportunity to discuss some of these issues in a collegiate environment, with people who have experience in this process, and to include others who would like to learn more from those who have such experience.
2. Reproductive Technologies and Ethnic/Cultural Diversity. The emphasis here will be on infertility as disrupted reproduction and the technologies associated with assisted conception. It will provide an opportunity for both researchers from a number of social science disciplines and practitioners to discuss ongoing research in this emerging field of study and to consider the potential policy and practice implications of research findings.
| Britannia Hotel, Nottingham
| 11th -12th September 2006
| Date Posted - 30 March 2006 |
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| Are the processes of science in conflict with the concerns of the public? How can we break down barriers that divide science and the public to engage in a wider dialogue on science. Can we empower all parties to take active roles in the discussions? Can insights into the relationship of trust and responsiveness help facilitate a more effective exchange of knowledge?
Laura Potts from York St John University College and researcher on the ESRC-funded project ‘Divided we stand: bridging differential understandings of environmental risk’ will discuss her research into innovative forms of citizen involvement that enable different communities of interest to assess the nature and extent of environmental risks of breast cancer.http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/ScienceinSociety/ESRC_Seminars/ESRC_Seminars.htm | Dana Centre, South Kensington, London, SW7 5HE
| Friday 17th March 2006
| Date Posted - 1st March 2006 |
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| How do we communicate science through exhibits and exhibitions? How important are science centres and museums as sites for communicating science with the public? How do they work as spaces to engage people in dialogue on science and technology? How do visitors respond to the exhibits and exhibitions found in these spaces? Are they an effective mechanism for engagement? What can we learn from the ways people talk, gesture and act around museums and galleries to help design future exhibits and exhibitions?
Professor Christian Heath, Dr Dirk vom Lehn and Robin Meisner from Kings College London will present their ESRC-funded research ‘Communicating science through novel exhibits and exhibitions’ followed by responses from practitioners working in the field.
http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/ScienceinSociety/ESRC_Seminars/ESRC_Seminars.htm | Dana Centre, South Kensington, London, SW7 5HE
| Thursday 16th March 2006
| Date Posted - 1st March 2006 |
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| The Air Quality Management Resource Centre, UWE, Bristol is organising a series of workshops on air quality management consultation. It is a major dissemination event linked to a 2 year intensive research project funded by the Economic & Social Research Council. The workshops will present the research outcomes and provide a forum to exchange experiences and ideas on air quality management consultation.
In the workshops, you will have the opportunity to tell us what you think works best in consultation and the outcomes from the workshops will be incorporated into a 'Steps to Better Practice' guidance for air quality management consultation.
The workshops will be of particular interests to local authority air quality, environmental health and protection officers, and other local authority engaged in environmental consultation.
Dates and venues:
7 April, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield 11 April, UWE, Bristol 25 April, The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon 4 May, Defra, Ashdown House, London
| 7 April, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield
11 April, UWE, Bristol
25 April, The Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon
4 May, Defra, Ashdown House, London
| April and May 2006
| Date Posted - 20 Feb 2006 |
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| How might culture and religion influence attitudes to infertility and its treatment?How can we increase awareness of infertility treatments and ensure access to fertility services?
Ths half-day event is an opportunity for members and representatives of South Asian communities, infertility service providers, infertililty support groups and researchers to debate key issues surrounding infertility treatments.
Infertility clinicians will present information on the techniques available to help people with fertility problems. Researchers from De Montfort University, who have organised the event, will present findings from a research project which explores attitudes to reproductive technologies including IVF and egg/sperm donation within British Asian communities. | Belgrade Neighbourhood Centre
Rothley Street
Leicester
LE4 6LF
0116 222 1004
| Tuesday 14th March 2006
10am-1.30pm
| Date Posted - 20 Feb 2006 |
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| You are invited to attend a workshop on the 'World Wide Web and Access to Knowledge', which will be held on February 9-10 at the Oxford Internet Institute. The workshop will focus on how the Web is used to access expertise from a variety of perspectives, including the use of search engines and blogs, and also researchers' use of online resources. The aim of the workshop is to examine the 'winner-takes-all' hypothesis in relation to knowledge and information on the Web. | Oxford Internet Institute University of Oxford
1 St Giles
Oxford OX1 3JS
| 9th -10th February 2006
| Date Posted - 15th December 2005 |
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| The ethics of embryo research and assisted conception are often debated. Yet there is little reflection about how and why different groups think about ‘embryo ethics’. The focus upon informed consent is important, but perhaps it overwhelms other legitimate concerns about the public interest. Too little attention is devoted to analysing professional scientists and clinicians’ sense of ethics and roles in ethical decision making. How can social scientists, bioethicists and practioners work together to develop our understanding of these issues and make a meaningful contribution to policy making in this area? These issues were explored at a recent meeting of philosophers, bioethicists, sociologists, historians, biologists and clinical embryologists. It was organised as part of Anne Kerr and Henry Leese’s ESRC Science in Society project entitled ‘Doing Embryo Ethics’ and took place at the University of York on the 20th December 2005. | Wentworth College,
University of York
| 20th December 2005
10.30am -5pm
| Date Posted - 10 December 2005 |
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| The first World Forum is now open for registration
Leading scientists, scholars, business executives, policy makers, religious leaders and citizens will come together to explore the promises of technology for life enhancement and extension in different parts of the world.
Further information in the brochure below or contact jmievents@sbs.ox.ac.uk
Plenary Sessions and Keynote Lectures from the forum will be streamed live to the internet during the conference and will also be available through a digital archive.
We strongly encourage remote participation by individuals and groups who are not able to attend the conference. Responses to the plenary sessions will be gathered into a published archive.
| Said Business School
Park End Street
Oxford
OX1 1HP
| 14 - 17 March 2006
| Date Posted - 7 November 2005 |
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| The meeting will seek to contribute to the evolving UK policy debate on climate-energy futures, and in particular reflect upon the position of nuclear power within this debate.
New evidence, from a survey conducted for the Understanding Risk Programme and Tyndall Centre by MORI, on public attitudes towards different forms of energy generation - including that of nuclear power, and framed in the light of climate change concerns - will be presented by the Programme on Understanding Risk in collaboration with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. This is seen as a new contribution to the current reframing of the nuclear power sector as one part of the UK’s future responses to the difficult problems that climate change poses.
The discussion meeting will also aim to address the following more generic questions:
· What different framings of the energy futures issue exist, and how might they be reconciled?
· What institutional mechanisms might need to be put in place to achieve consensus upon UK energy futures?
· How can public trust in relation to these issues be gained, if at all?
· Is a wider forum for public debate and deliberation about the issue a desirable goal?
The meeting will include invited contributions from the policy and wider stakeholder communities.
| Royal Society
Carlton House Terrace
London
| 17th January 2006
| Date Posted - 6th December 2005 |
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| Call for papers
The relationship between science and governance is becoming more complex as the boundaries between previously disparate fields of activity - society, politics, culture, economy and science - shift and become increasingly blurred. 'Governance' itself has multiple interpretations relating, for instance, to the shared responsibility for social and economic issues between diverse institutions or power dependence in the relationships between institutions involved in collective action.
This seminar aims to explore the development of an interdisciplinary perspective on the dynamics and changing relationships between scuence and governance by:
1. bringing together fragmented and disconnected academic communities in different disciplines (STS, political science, geography, sociology etc);
2. critically examining existing narratives of the changing relationship between science and governance across a range of disciplines, in terms of drivers of change, causal influences, implications and effects;
3. interrogating and discussing a range of empirical research projects that seek to explore the relationship between science and governance.
1st May 2005 - Submissions of 250 word extract to Pam Allen (p.allen@salford.ac.uk)
1st June 2005 - Notification of accepted papers and registration
1st October 2005 - Submission of papers for circulation
14th October 2005 - Finalisation of programme and circulation of papers to participants. | SURF Centre
University of Salford
113-115 Portland Street
Manchester
M1 6DW
Tel: (0161) 295 4018
| 24 - 25 November 2005
| Date Posted - 2nd March 2005 |
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| How will popular journalism shape public debates over nanotechnology? Given the crucial role of financial institutions in the current and future development of nanotechnologies what role will the financial and business media play in the debate surrounding risks and uncertainties? Are there differences between how public risk and business risk are communicated and how does the interplay between nanotech companies, financial journalists, public relations and press officers affect the debate? Mary Ebeling, University of Surrey and principal investigator from the ESRC funded ‘Spinning Science: the Nanotech Industry and Financial News’ will discuss plans for her new research project.http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/ScienceinSociety/ESRC_Seminars/ESRC_Seminars.htm | Dana Centre
The BA
165 Queen's Gate
South Kensington
London
SW7 5HE
| Tuesday 22nd November 2005
6.30pm
| Date Posted - 01 Octo 2005 |
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| Are their fundamental differences between how industry and the science communication community carry out dialogue with the public. How do companies conceptualise, access and take account of lay knowledges? How can science communicators embrace a wider perspective so that industry is not seen as a separate entity in the debate? Dr Kate Burningham the principal investigator from the ESRC funded ‘Using public environmental knowledge in industry’ will discuss her research and share experiences of how those working in the chemical industry conceptualise, access and take account of lay knowledge. Kate will be joined by Gill Samuels, Chair of the Biosciences Futures Forum who will highlight practical applications for the research and its implications for those working in industry.
http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/ScienceinSociety/ESRC_Seminars/ESRC_Seminars.htm | Dana Centre
The BA
165 Queen's Gate
South Kensington
London
SW7 5HE
| 17th November 2005
6.30pm
| Date Posted - 01 Oct 2005 |
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| Since our last Programme meeting, the ESRC has commissioned a third and final round of funding, which has brought the number of projects in the Programme up to 45. At this point, and with the end of the Programme in sight at 31st July 2007, it is now appropriate for us to consider how, as a fully-developed Programme, we can address the issue of the Programme’s legacy. With many research projects complete or about to complete, we are in a position to begin to pull out the threads that make up the over-arching picture arising from Programme research and to decide upon ways to ensure that the messages emanating from the Programme as a whole are clearly defined and articulated. In this way, we will most effectively target our audiences and reiterate the relevance of our work for business, NGOs, the media and civil society.
This meeting is intended, therefore, to help us to focus on the end of the Programme and the legacy that we will leave. We need to consider how to make certain that the lessons learned from Programme research live past the end date of project awards. One measure of our success at the end of the Programme will be that the ESRC will not feel it necessary to ring-fence funding for further work on similar themes to those in the Programme, as it has done in the past when other dedicated funds have run their course.
What we will develop at this meeting is an understanding of what the researchers on the Programme feel is necessary for the Programme as a whole to assure the continuity of intellectual endeavour.
| Royal Society
Carlton House Terrace
London
| 9th November 9.30am
| Updated 6th December 2005 |
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| How can we make sure our events and programmes take account of the diverse ways in which ‘publics’ construct notions of risk? Can we make discussions on scientific risk relevant to and more meaningful for everyday lives? The emerging view from social science research is that new models of science governance are required, involving innovative social and institutional solutions which reach far beyond attempts to promote better communications about the science of hazards and risk assessment. Should we be developing a new approach to risk science and governance?Professor Nick Pidgeon and Dr Tee Rogers Hayden, Centre for Environmental Risk,University of East Anglia and researchers on the ESRC funded ‘Public perceptions of risk, science and governance’ will discuss the implications of their research.
http://www.the-ba.net/the-ba/ScienceinSociety/ESRC_Seminars/ESRC_Seminars.htm | Dana Centre
The BA
165 Queen's Gate
South Kensington
London
SW7 5HE
| Thursday 3rd November 2005
6.30pm
| Date Posted - 01 October 2005 |
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| In the UK and Europe existing science centres and museums are currently being renewed and redesigned and new science exhibitions are being developed. Managers and designers devise and plan novel kinds of exhibit and exhibition to create new ways to communicate science and to engage the public in science. Relatively little is known about the themes and issues that drive the planning and design of future science exhibitions. We also know relatively little about the practical and intellectual expertise that informs the design and development of novel science exhibitions.
In this context, we are currently undertaking the first phase of a research project funded by the ESRC ‘Science in Society Programme’. The project involves extensive research of visitors’ conduct and interaction in science centres and museums and ethnographic research of exhibit and exhibition design. The project is particularly concerned with the ways in which visitors engage and participate with novel exhibits and exhibitions. It also considers the practices and resources that exhibition managers and designers bring to bear when planning and developing new and novel exhibits and exhibitions.
As part of the project we thought it would be interesting and fruitful to arrange a number of colloquia in which curators, designers and museum managers meet to discuss the design and evaluation of exhibits and exhibitions. For this first colloquium we would like to invite managers, designers and other experts involved in the design, development and evaluation of science exhibits and exhibitions who will play a key role in the planning and design of new science exhibitions, both in the UK and Europe.
The workshop will be held on the 9 June 2004 at King’s College London.
Christian Heath, Dirk vom Lehn & James Bradburne
Contact address:
Work, Interaction & Technology Research Group
The Management Centre
King’s College London
Franklin-Wilkins Building
London SE1 9NN
Tel. +44 (0)20 78484314
{Christian.heath, dirk.vom_lehn}@kcl.ac.uk
| King's College London
| 9 June 2004
9.30am - 4.00pm
| Date Posted - 01/05/2005 |
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| During the last ten or fifteen years, the social study of science and technology and economic sociology have moved closer together. Within the social study of science and technology, researchers are increasingly looking at economic activity such as markets, and within economic sociology researchers are increasingly seeing the need to analyse technology. Thus far, however, these two fields of study have had little contact with one another. The 'Economic Sociology and Technology' conference will attempt to draw the two fields together to explore links and possible differences and future research agendas.
We seek papers that span the two worlds of science/technology and the economy, from a social perspective, and which suggest ways of integrating them. We particularly welcome contributions which draw upon detailed examples or case studies. | Cornell University
Ithaca
New York
| 23rd - 24th September 2005
| Date Posted - 5 May 2005 |
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| The sponsors of NanoJury UK invite you to an event featuring the launch of the preliminary findings of a community (or citizens') jury on nanotechnology (see www.nanojury.org).
A group of residents of West Yorkshire has been questioning specialists and discussing a range of topics related to nanotechnology in a project sponsored by the IRC in Nanotechnology, University of Cambridge, Greenpeace UK, the Guardian and the PEALS Research Centre, University of Newcastle.
Representatives of the jury, which took place over the spring and summer of 2005, will announce their findings to press and others in London on 21 September. During the morning (10am-1pm) the jury's sponsors and others with a stake in nanotechnology policy will respond to the jury's report. There will be time to put questions to members of the jury and for an initial discussion about what the NanoJury's report means for nanotechnology policy and the government's commitment to public dialogue.
We would also welcome your participation in an afternoon session
(2-4pm) where you will be able to listen to the jury representatives'
joint response to the questions they have been asked. This will be followed by a short session at which people can discuss the issues raised by the jury process in small groups.
We hope that you will be able to join us to discuss the findings of the NanoJury UK and to chart next steps in the wider public discussions about new and emerging technologies.
Places are limited and given the expected level of interest in this event it is important that you register by e-mail with cathy.hoste@uk.greenpeace.org. Please state whether you would like to join us for the morning, the afternoon, or both. We will confirm by e-mail that a place is available for you. | The Guardian Offices
The Newsroom
60 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA
| Wedesnday 21st September
| Date Posted - 2 September 2005 |
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| ICWES13, The International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, is a dynamic international conference for women engineers, scientists and researchers under the theme of "Women Engineers and Scientists: Main Force to Reshape the Future World". It provides an opportunity for all participants to interact, exchange thoughts, ideas, and information that are pertinent to the issues for women in these fields. | Seoul, Korea | 26th -29th August 2005
| Date Posted - 7 April 2005 |
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| Demos is pleased to invite you to the third of the Demos Science Cafés. These monthly events are an opportunity for scientists, policymakers, journalists, social scientists and anyone else to draw out the policy implications of current scientific issues.
At each café, we'll hear from a visiting speaker about their work. The discussion will then be open to our guests.
On 20th July, we are pleased to welcome Professor Simon Wesseley, of the Institute of Psychiatry, who will be talking to us about contested illnesses such as Gulf War Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue.
The event is free. If you'd like to come along, email science@demos.co.uk
| Demos
Third Floor
Magdalen House
136 Tooley Street
London SE1 2TU
| Wednesday 20th July
| Date Posted - 5 May 2005 |
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| Recent major commitments made by many Western governments to the intensification of globally competitive investments in science on the one hand, and to public engagement in the domain of science, innovation and society on the other, raise important but ill-defined tensions and questions. Neo-liberal economic models of globalisation, manifest in such initiatives as the EU Lisbon Agenda, encourage the assumption that knowledge is a global universal whose primary meaning is to be defined in terms of instrumental commercial exploitation and control. And the recognition in Europe, and increasingly internationally, that this agenda raises major science and society issues, is being compromised by being framed in terms of the need for governments to secure public acceptance of the scientific, technological and social trajectories being generated by neo-liberal dynamics of innovation.
Against this background, the colloquium will gather together significant representatives from academia, non-government organisations and the policy world in order to explore a number of urgent questions:
What role is knowledge being made to play in the global economy?
How does this shape what develops and counts as ‘knowledge’?
How is the shift to more inclusive forms of knowledge- and policy-making interacting with the growth of corporate power and ownership of knowledge?
What effects are these developments having on public reactions to new developments in science and technology?
What are there prospects for a global civil society which can encourage the knowledge economy to assume more humanly responsive forms?
The colloquium will:
explore political-economic perspectives on global shifts in knowledge-production processes, and sociology of science insights into public reactions to science and technology
address issues of institutional design for attempting to reconcile public concerns with increasingly competitive global knowledge-investments
attempt to determine the form that critical interventions need to take if they are to be effective and appropriate | Conference Centre, Lancaster University
| 11th -12th July 2005
| Date Posted - 20th June 2005 |
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| The UK-based national research programme on Innovative Health Technologies (IHT) has joined up with the annual international conference of the HTAi, to open new debate between social science analysis of new health technologies and the perspective of health technology assessment. A two-day parallel workshop is planned which covers current developments in IHTs on the first day, then a joint session with HTA delegates on the second.
The fee for the event is being finalised but will be in the region of 320 euros, which covers registration for both days, lunches and the evening dinner of the IHT day on June 20. Places are limited to 40 delegates, so please register your interest as soon as possible with Stephanie Hazel-Gant at sjg11@york.ac.uk.
This event is not organised or funded by the Science in Society programme. Any detail relating to it contained on this site is provided for information only. | Rome
| 20th -21st June 2005 | Date Posted - 31 January 2004 |
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| Demos is pleased to invite you to the second of the Demos Science Cafés. Thes |