Issues: Who controls science and technology?

Who controls science and technology?

SGR produces a range of resources on the issue of 'Who controls science and technology?' This includes the power of vested interests (especially the military and private corporations), openness and democracy in science, and public engagement and participation. Two of our main projects focus on military influence on science and technology, and corporate influence on science and technology.

Active brain

The quest for ‘brain-like machines’

Are computers a biotechnology? One place from which the future of computing and robotics technologies is being thought about is a bit unexpected – the neuroscience lab. Over the past three years, a number of large research initiatives have been announced.

1 September 2016

 

25 years of science ethics at Cambridge

Dr Richard Jennings, University of Cambridge, reflects on lessons learned from the teaching of science ethics at one of the UK's leading universities.

1 September 2016

 

Tom Kibble

In memory of Prof Sir Tom Kibble

Media release, 3 June 2016

From Corporate Science to Science for Society

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at a TEDx event organised by Lancaster University

Online release: 8 June 2015
 

Military-university collaborations in the UK – an update

Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, reviews recent developments in military involvement at UK universities.

Article for INES report (advance publication), 13 April 2015
 

S4S logo

Students get inspired by ethical science and technology

Dr Jan Maskell, SGR, summarises the activities of our first Science4Society Week, including school visits to community renewable energy projects and classroom debates.

ResponsibleSci blog, 27 March 2015

SGR supports open letter on US museums and the fossil fuel industry

Media release, 24 March 2015

 

Announcing Science4society week 2015

Science4society week is a new collection of science education activities, designed to inspire young people. The project was set up to provide an alternative to activities funded by the arms and fossil fuel industries, such as 'The Big Bang Fair'. Science4society week 2015 runs from 16th to 23rd March.

Media release, 6 March 2015

 

Scientific Publication in Peril: the Séralini Affair

Dr Eva Novotny discusses the controversy surrounding an academic paper showing health problems in a feeding trial of a GM crop – and what it says about corporate influence in this field.

Article from SGR Newsletter no.43 (advance publication), 24 October 2014

Updates added: 26 February 2015; 9 July 2018

 

Evidence, uncertainty and values: some key issues

Presentation by Dr Stuart Parkinson, SGR, at the 'Circling the Square' conference, Nottingham University.

Based on SGR's research, the presentation summarises how powerful interests - such as large corporations and the military - can and do distort science for their own ends.

22 May 2014