Forum Funds PFGS Colloquium
Released: 31 August 2005
The ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum continued its productive relationship with the Postgraduate Forum on Genetics and Society (PFGS) this year with financial support of its 9th Annual Colloquium.
The PFGS provides an opportunity for young scholars to present work in progress, exchange ideas, learn research techniques and forge synergies. The colloquium allows scholars from sociology, psychology, law, philosophy and bioinformatics to engage with each other to understand better how their different disciplines inform research into the social impact of scientific research in genomics.
“The PFGS provides a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue on pressing issues in genetics and society,” said Nadja Kanellopoulou, Forum Research Fellow and liaison with the PGFS.
The three-day meeting (31 August-2 September) hosted more than 50 UK-based and non-UK based postgraduates. The theme for this year’s meeting was “The Genetic Information Age”.
This year’s presenters included Prof. Andrew Webster (head of the Science and Technology Studies Unit), Dr Jon Turney and Dr Kate Stewart. The central focus of the colloquium was the presentations by the postgraduates, which touched upon such subjects as the public-private partnerships, democracy and the regulation of biomedical industries, patent law, and the differing impact of scientific advances on developing and developed economies.
Engagement with the PFGS helps the Forum fulfil its ESRC priority to bring social science perspectives to inform genomics research and policy.
“By encouraging the work of these young scholars now, we are helping secure quality scholarship in the UK and around the world for years to come,” Kanellopoulou said.
The Forum and the PFGS are working on a final report on the colloquium. More details of the ongoing working relationship between the Forum and the PFGS will be made available soon on this site.
Ends
Contact name: ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum
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