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What do think-tanks do to bioscience? (Conference, London, 6th Oct 2014)

posted on February 21, 2025

Research Summary: Think-Tanks and Bioscience Governance Workshop

Event Type: Academic workshop on governance and policy research
Primary Topic: Role of think-tanks and quangos in governing bioscience development and use
Date & Location: 6 October 2014, Wellcome Trust Conference Centre, Euston Road, London
Key Speakers: Joanna Chataway (RAND Europe), Jack Stilgoe (UCL), Hugh Whittall (Nuffield Council on Bioethics), Jane Calvert (U. Edinburgh), Patrick Middleton (BBSRC)
Organizers: Emilie Cloatre (Kent Law School) and Martyn Pickersgill (U. Edinburgh)
Focus Areas: Evidence generation, institutional independence, technology governance, policy research translation, and disruption of governance frameworks
Capacity: Limited to 40 participants; registration required via Martyn Pickersgill
Funding Source: AHRC project “Technoscience, Law and Society”

AHRC event at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre

Emilie Cloatre (Kent Law School) and Martyn Pickersgill are organising an event in London on the 6th October at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre (Euston Rd., London). In this workshop, we seek to discuss the role of think-tanks and non-departmental public bodies (i.e., quangos) in governing the development and use of bioscience. We’re delighted that Joanna Chataway (RAND Europe), Jack Stilgoe (UCL), and Hugh Whittall (Nuffield Council on Bioethics) will be giving talks, with Jane Calvert (U. Edinburgh) providing both concluding reflections and provocations for wider discussion. Patrick Middleton of the BBSRC has kindly agreed to provide some framing comments at the beginning of the day. This afternoon event will take place at the Wellcome Trust Conference Centre on Euston Road (close to Euston, King’s Cross, and St. Pancras stations). There will be a light lunch, and a wine reception will round off the day.

The full programme is as follows:

12.30-13.30: Registration & light lunch

13.30-13.40: Welcoming comments from Dr Martyn Pickersgill (U. Edinburgh) & Dr Emilie Cloatre (U. Kent).

13.40-14.00: Presentation from Dr Patrick Middleton (BBSRC): ‘What role for engagement? A research funder’s perspective’

14.00-14.45: Presentation from Dr Jack Stilgoe (UCL): ‘Institutions & independence in the governance of emerging technologies’

14.45-15.30: Presentation from Professor Joanna Chataway (RAND Europe): ‘Generating & translating evidence: RAND Europe’s approach to policy research’

15.30-16.00: Tea & coffee

16.00-16.45: Presentation from Mr Hugh Whittall (Nuffield Council on Bioethics): ‘A role for the think tanks: disrupting technology governance?’

16.45-17.00: Reflections from Dr Jane Calvert (U. Edinburgh)

17.00-17.30: General discussion

17.30-19.00: Wine reception

To register, please write to Martyn Pickersgill. We will be capping numbers at 40, so please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like a place.

 

The event forms part of our AHRC project on ‘Technoscience, Law and Society’. An edited collection has just been published which brings together some scholarship emerging from and influenced by the Network, including chapters from David Winickoff, Sujatha Raman, Barbara Prainsack, Alain Pottage, and Graeme Laurie. Please visit the site.

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Filed Under: Conferences

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