Ethics and Nanotechnology at the Interface
Thursday 12 November 2009
Jointly presented by The Ethics Centre of South Australia, the Ian Wark Research Institute and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
Towards the end of 2007 Professor John Weckert, Charles Sturt University, was appointed a joint Visiting Research Fellow in Applied Ethics by the Ethics Centre of South Australia (ECSA) and the Ian Wark Research Institute. Professor Weckert conducted interviews with key Wark researchers and observed their research processes in action. A report detailing his appraisal of the ethics of The Wark's research procedures vis-a-vis Adelaide society is now ready for release.
This seminar, Ethics and Nanotechnology at the Interface, will give the opportunity, first of all, for Professor Hans Griesser, Deputy Director (Industry) Ian Wark Research Institute, to speak about some of the cutting-edge research presently being conducted in their Institute and then Professor Weckert will deliver his Report.
This Seminar will give a rare insight into the practice of international scientific research as well as a candid ethical evaluation of what is taking place when research confronts the public.
Speaker profiles:
Professor John Weckert researches mainly in the areas of ethics and new technologies, concentrating on information and communication technology and nanotechnology. He is founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Nanoethics: Ethics for Technologies that Converge at the Nanoscale. He currently holds an ARC Linkage grant with the Australian Computer Society on ethics and regulation in the ICT industry and a National Science Foundation (US) grant on nanotechnology and human enhancement. He was appointed as the ECSA/IWRI Fellow in Ethics in 2007.
Professor Hans Griesser, Deputy Director (Industry) of the Ian Wark Research Institute, is a Physical Chemist by training and has applied this background to interdisciplinary research in various fields, particularly surface science, the analysis and modification of polymer surfaces, thin film deposition, biomaterials, and adhesion.
He joined the Ian Wark Research Institute in early 2002, where he continues research on solid surfaces and coatings, particularly with polymers and bio-interfaces.
The Ethics Centre of South Australia (ECSA)
In 2005, the three universities and the State Government cooperated to form ECSA in order to promote knowledge about and informed debate on ethical issues in the public arena. All three universities, Government Departments, particularly the Department of Health, and professional areas contribute to the membership and management.
ECSA will coordinate the research and teaching expertise of academics from the three South Australian universities and other academics in professional practice to provide the award with first rate teachers., Students from a wide range of backgrounds will come together to gain knowledge, skills and understanding in ethical theory and ethical issues.
The Ian Wark Research Institute
The Ian Wark Research Institute (The Wark™) is the Australian Research Council Special Research Centre for Particle and Material Interfaces. Led by Laureate Professor John Ralston, the institute has a prized international reputation for its research and postgraduate education. The Warkâ„¢ has extensive state-of-the-art research facilities, internationally renowned researchers and an international client base of major companies.
While the views presented by speakers within the Hawke Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia or The Hawke Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: strengthening our democracy - valuing our cultural diversity - and building our future.
