Identity - Science in Society

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Identity

Public perceptions of gamete donations in British South Asian Communities	Principal	Team	Status
Within the UK, 25,000 children have been born using donated gametes (eggs and sperm) or embryos since 1991. There is currently, however, a shortage of donated gametes and this is particularly acute for members of minority ethnic communities. Such couples face very long waiting times for treatment. This study aimed to examine the public understandings of gamete donation amongst British South Asian communities and to explore issues regarding the willingness of South Asian women and men to consider receiving or donating gametes.	Professor Lorraine Culley Associate Director, Mary Seacole Research Centre Faculty of Health & Life Sciences De Montfort University lac@dmu.ac.uk	Research team Prof. Mark Johnson Professor of Diversity in Health and Social Care Director, Mary Seacole Research Centre De Montfort University mrdj@dmu.ac.uk Dr Frances Rapport Julian Tudor Hart Senior Research Fellow School of Postgraduate studies University of Wales Swansea F.L.Rapport@swansea.ac.uk Dr Aditya Baradwaj Research Fellow ESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (CESAGen) Cardiff University BharadwajA@cardiff.ac.uk Ms Nicky Hudson Research Fellow Faculty of Health & Life Sciences De Montfort University nhudson@dmu.ac.uk	Ended March 2006


Gender theories and risk perception: a secondary analysis	Principal	Team	Status
This project uses a national survey to investigate the impacts upon public attitudes of the 2003 GM Nation? public debate on the commercialisation of agricultural biotechnology. A nationally representative quota sample of 1,363 adults was collected between 19 July and 12 September 2003. The survey had two main objectives. First, to examine public perceptions of GM food and crops and the possible impacts upon these of GM Nation?, in particular by comparing the results with baseline data from an earlier Phase 1 ESRC Science in Society project. Second, to investigate public awareness, perceptions and understanding of the GM Nation? debate process itself. The research contributes to an independent evaluation of the GM Nation? public debate, and the drawing of relevant lessons for future deliberative activities around science and technology issues.	Professor Nick Pidgeon School of Psychology Cardiff University Tower Building Park Place Cardiff CF10 3AT 029 20 87 48 58 PidgeonN@cardiff.ac.uk	Dr Karen Henwood School of Social Sciences Cardiff University Glamorgan Building King Edward VII Avenue Cardiff CF10 3WT HenwoodK@cardiff.ac.uk Professor Alan Irwin University of Liverpool Management School Chatham Street Liverpool L69 7ZH Alan.Irwin@liverpool.ac.uk	Ended March 2007


Asbestos Diseases: Scientific Definitions and Gendered Identities	Principal	Team	Status
This research examines people’s experience of Asbestos Related Diseases (ARD). It explores how people feel after contracting ARD and how this affects them personally. The research contrasts these personal experiences to scientific and legal understandings of ARD. It examines the ways in which ARD sufferers agree – or disagree – with these medical and legal definitions of what causes the disease, of how it might be treated, of who should be compensated etc. The aim is to understand how people interpret their experiences, what values they draw upon to do so and how illness shapes their identities.	Linda Waldman Fellow, Environment Team Institute of Development Studies University of Sussex BN1 9RE Tel: 01273 678516 L.Waldman@ids.ac.uk		Ended December 2006


Boundary Work, Normal Ageing and Brain Pathology	Principal	Team	Status
The central finding from this study is the continuing uncertainty within clinical, scientific and public understandings of dementia, associated conditions and diagnoses. Scientific uncertainties are highlighted by competing and contrasting biological theories used to explain the causes and development of dementia and disagreement and controversy between the proponents of these different theories. Clinical uncertainties are reflected in the diagnostic and prognostic criteria and treatment protocols used in different clinical settings within different health care systems by different clinical specialities. Public uncertainties remain about the relationship between dementia and normal cognitive ageing. These different understandings are not fixed, they are dynamic and interactive such that as scientific knowledge changes or different biological understandings are accepted within the scientific community so these understandings are translated into clinical practice and responded to by the wider public.	Professor John Bond, Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle NE2 4AA john.bond@ncl.ac.uk	Professor Carl May, Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle NE2 4AA c.r.may@newcastle.ac.uk Dr J Francis, Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle NE2 4AA Dr T Moreira, Research Associate, Centre for Health Services Research, School of Population and Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, 21 Claremont Place, Newcastle NE2 4AA t.e.moreira@newcastle.ac.uk Professor T Kirkwood, Institute for Aeging and Health, Newcastle General Hospital Newcastle NE4 6BE tom.kirkwood@newcastle.ac.uk Professor IG McKeith, School of Neurology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, University of Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary Queen Victoria Road Newcastle NE1 4LP i.g.mckeith@newcastle.ac.uk Dr J Hughes, Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust, Newcastle General Hospital Newcastle NE4 6BE.	Ended April 2006