London Nanotechnology Policy Study Group

The London Nanotechnology Policy Study Group is a new reading group with the aim to study various issues of nanotechnology. The group is focusing primarily on social and policy related issues.

Nanotechnology is widely regarded as one of the potential defining technologies of the 21st century. Even some claim that nanotechnology will be a 'new industrial revolution' that will include breakthroughs in computer science, pharmaceuticals, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, and telecommunications. However, the technology has raised potentially profound social and ethical questions. The nature and scope of wider social, ethical and policy related questions are still unclear. In this context, social studies of nanotechnology are necessarily required.

The LNSG will focus specifically on four main areas: regulation; public engagement; historical emergence of nanotechnology; competing visions of nanotechnology. Initially, the study group is going to have seminars fortnightly. The initial focus will be social science literatures on nanotechnology.

The study group is organised by Dr Robert Doubleday (University of Cambridge), Dr Kiheung Kim (Imperial College London), Hailemichael Demissie (King's College London) and Kajsa-Stina Magnusson (University College London).

For more details, please get in touch.