SLAPLAB (Science, Law & Policy Lab) is a vertically-integrated, interdisciplinary laboratory directed by Dr. Nita Farahany (Professor of Law & Philosophy, Director of Duke Initiative for Science & Society). SLAPLAB is designed to bring science to bear on questions of law and policy. Faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and undergrads work together on shared research projects and publications.

SLAPLAB is built around the broad theme of how science impacts and is impacted by law and policy. Researchers study the role of science in law and the policy making process, with a particular emphasis on emerging technology and the biosciences (genetics and neuroscience). Empirical research and laboratory research (including the use of consumer technology and devices (e.g. Google Glass, Consumer EEG devices, tDCS)) is undertaken using a collaborative model of research and publications. Lab activities include designing new research studies and engaging in ongoing research, giving presentations of works in progress, discussions of recent relevant literature, developing scholarship, multimedia, and policy for publication and dissemination, and hosting outside speakers.

Lab Activities

Lab members meet once weekly for lab meetings, and on an ongoing basis for their research. Regular activities of the lab include:

• Designing new research studies
• Engaging in ongoing research
• Giving presentations of works in progress
• Discussing recent relevant literature
• Developing scholarship, multimedia, and policy for publication
• Occasional outside speakers

Ongoing Research Projects

• Genomics, Biometrics, and Immigration
• Public attitudes toward consumer neurotechnology devices
• Privacy of brain wearable analytics and assessment of claims
• Empirical use of neuroscience in the criminal courtroom
• Legal implications of illicit crimes in virtual reality
• Emerging ethical issues in blockchain technology

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Requirements of Lab Members

• Available for weekly meetings during the academic year
• Interested in joining an existing research project or designing a new one
• Committed to serving as a lead author or co-author on one publication per year
• Undertaken or available to undertake responsible conduct of research (RCR) requirements
• Researchers do not receive compensation or credit for their participation, and instead are full collaborators and authors of publications