Societal Implications

Added to my reading: "Nanotechnology: Societal Implications—New Report published by NSET, NSF"

A report exploring potential societal impacts of nanotechnology and identifying key areas for related research. Edited by Mihail C. Roco and William S. Bainbridge of the National Science Foundation, Nanotechnology: Societal Implications—Maximizing Benefits for Humanity reflects the views of experts who gathered at a workshop in December 2003 to discuss likely impacts of current and future advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology on the economy, quality of life, national security, education, public policy and society at large.

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Also, the Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcome at ASU received some funds from NSF for a "Center for Nanotechnology in Society", and they have job offerings:

Required qualifications for the post-doctoral fellowship include: a doctorate in a related area; demonstrated interest at the intersection of scientific and technological advance and societal implications in general and nanotechnology in particular; and evidence of achievement in both research and teaching. Desired qualifications: interest in policy, public engagement, or technology assessment.

The deadline already passed (10/28), but give me a year and that's me.

UCSB also.

More Nanoethics organizations

About a month ago, the Center on Nanotechnology and Society (a joint IIT and Chicago's Kent School of Law) had its inaugural event.

The Center on Nantechnology and Society (CONAS) is an affiliate of the Institute on Biotechnology and the Human Future (IBHF), at Chicago-Kent College of Law in the Illinois Institute of Technology. The goal of the Center is to catalyze informed, inter-disciplinary research and education on the implications of nanoscale science and technology for ethical, legal, policy, business, and wider social issues, and with a special focus on the human condition. Drawing on the resources of IBHF, including its wide network of fellows that represent diverse sectors of society (see www.thehumanfuture.org), CONAS hosts consultations through the Chicago Nano Forum, and sponsors national symposia.