Events

Mapping the Genomic Era: Measurements and Meanings

Economic and Social Research Council Genomics Network
City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND, UK
07 October 2009 - 09 October 2009

This event will develop debate and dialogue around current and future developments in the life sciences, between academics working in a broad range of social science disciplines and associated stakeholders, including natural and biomedical scientists and policymakers.

The event will consider how and where measurements of different kinds are at stake, for example:

• the difficulties in producing common scientific, political, economic and social measures;

• how the abstraction of measuring transforms the object to be measured;

• how measurement can add to meaning and knowledge and/or detract from it;

• the hidden costs of precision;

• consequences of particular forms of measurement for various groups and individuals;

• statistical power in relation to genome-wide association studies, epidemiology, and their application in biobanking projects and personal genomics;

• measurement of the impact of research.

The event will also examine the contexts in which meanings are mediated, discussed and produced, such as in policymaking, governance of science and technology, through clinical applications, and within different academic disciplines, public engagement efforts, civil society, activist communities, social movements and the media.

Attendance fees range from £45 to £250. To register, use this online form or contact Mel Evans at or on +44 (0)29 2087 0024.

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Find out more about genetics in The Rough Guide to Genes and Cloning, coauthored by BioNews Contributing Editor Dr Jess Buxton (buy this book from Amazon UK or Amazon USA); and find out more about fertility/embryology regulation in Human Fertilisation and Embryology: Reproducing Regulation, coedited by BioNews Contributing Editor Dr Kirsty Horsey (buy this book from Amazon UK or Amazon USA).

Further details of this event are available on the Economic and Social Research Council Genomics Network website.