About Us

The ESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (Cesagen) was established in October 2002 as a collaboration between the Universities of Cardiff and Lancaster.  Cesagen is a multidisciplinary centre in which staff from social sciences and humanities work closely with natural and medical sciences to address the social, economic and policy aspects of developments in genomics.

Cesagen’s main objective is to investigate the economic and social factors that shape natural knowledge in genomics and other life sciences.  The Centre is directed by Professor Ruth Chadwick with Professor Adam Hedgecoe as Associate Director in Cardiff and Professor Maureen McNeil as Associate Director in Lancaster.

The Cesagen research programme for 2007-2012 builds upon the collective pool of evidence and skills, as well as the evidence base created by Cesagen and its Network partners in the first phase of funding. We are developing the framework for a coherent cross-disciplinary theoretical perspective built on sound methodological principles with which to further understand the post-genomic era.

We work with colleagues across the EGN and other networks to establish a coherent and complementary research agenda that recognises and encourages the strengths that have already been established. We continue to work closely with life scientists, clinicians, policy actors and other key stakeholders in partnership, and in mutual engagement with the complexities and uncertainties that the genomic era brings.