Science and SocietyEthics, Science, and the Public

Transformative scientific advances fuel societal progress; they also come with great responsibility.

Major scientific breakthroughs deepen our understanding of the universe, nature, and ourselves. Such discoveries have the potential to transform our everyday lives, yet the same discovery science that holds promise for progress often raises concerns and questions for society. Who bears responsibility for broad ethical considerations for scientific discoveries? When is it optimal to evaluate implications and risks? How can publics be empowered to take part in the dialogue? Our efforts focus on these larger questions with the work of the Kavli Centers for Ethics, Science, and the Public; convenings with experts across disciplines; and through support of special projects.

Kavli Centers

Connecting scientists, ethicists, social scientists, communicators, and publics to discuss potential impacts of scientific discoveries.

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Convenings

Bringing experts from different disciplines together to explore approaches to engage society in ethical issues born from basic scientific research.

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Special Projects

Supporting efforts to engage publics and empower scientists to navigate potential societal considerations regarding basic research.

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Read more about our work in ethics, science, and the public.

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