Our Mission The Duke Initiative for Science & Society (“Science & Society”) fosters research, education, communication, democratic deliberation, and policy engagement on the ethical progress of science and technology in society. Science & Society takes an interdisciplinary approach, with a focus on applied ethics and policy, to advance the responsible use of science and technology for humanity.
Advances in science and technology rapidly change the world we live in, shape our lives and culture, and raise myriad ethical, legal, and policy-related questions: What are pressing social problems for which there may be technological solutions? What steps promote just distribution of beneficial technologies? What policy issues does emerging science raise? How can different stakeholders work together to promote good science? And how can we tell when science is ‘good enough’ to be used as the basis for legal and policy decision-making? The Duke Initiative for Science & Society addresses these and other broad-ranging issues to advance the responsible use of science and technology for humanity.
Our Mission
To advance the responsible use of science and technology for humanity through research, education, communication, democratic deliberation, and policy engagement.
Our Goals
- To embed an understanding of the ethical, legal, and social implications of science and technology into education and scientific research, conduct, and communication.
- To better integrate science and technology into policy and legal decision-making.
- To improve science communication and democratic deliberation to enhance public understanding and participation of science and technology
- To carry out and publish research on questions related to the responsible use of science and technology for humanity
- To use applied ethics and policy frameworks to guide the responsible use of science and technology for humanity