SLAPLAB

Designed to bring science to bear on questions of law and policy. Apply for 2019-2020 SLAPLAB Researchers

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

Learn More

Requirements of Lab Members

Available for weekly meetings for the 2018-2019 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

Join SLAP Lab as a researcher for the 2019-2020 academic year:

SLAP Lab is currently looking for undergraduates, Master’s students, PhD students, JD or MD candidates, and post-docs to join the Lab for the 2019-2020 academic year. Applicants are encouraged to apply to participate for the mutual benefit of research, publication, and dissemination of work at the intersection of Science, Technology, Law, and Policy. Applicants must be willing to commit to weekly lab meetings and attend meetings on an ongoing basis for research with individual project teams. Applicants with an interest in novel, emerging technologies are encouraged to apply.

Application Process:

Membership is highly selective. Approximately 6-8 applicants are selected annually, from a wide pool of excellent applications. Students may apply in multiple years and/or as lab positions become available throughout the year.