Difference between revisions of "Team:UNSW Australia/Public Engagement"
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| − | <div | + | <h2>Relevance</h2> |
| − | + | <p>Breakthroughs and scientific discoveries underpin the new technologies and tools which benefit broader society. As a result, it is important for scientists and engineers to keep in mind the people who will benefit from those advancements. Community engagement and outreach is one important mechanism assisting scientists to ensure that design is purpose-orientated and useful for the community. Open dialogue with a range of members from the public, academia and industry has helped our team, and can help scientists more generally, recognise alternate perspectives and values which may inform their work – which is particularly important given the variability of community values.</p> | |
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| + | <p>Considered and purposeful design is particularly important for synthetic biology-based tools, as they have the potential to cause major unforeseen damage to the global community. Research has found that many harmful products are the result of designers being unconcerned with the overlapping causes, content and consequences of their solutions (Agapakis, 2014). This suggests that dangerous and unsustainable systems can be avoided by ensuring that consultation with ethics, regulation and public opinion is undertaken. </p> | ||
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| + | <p>This is particularly important in an Australian context, given the steep upward trajectory of the field of synthetic biology, and Australia’s place as a significant global contender (14th globally for publications in synthetic biology-associated areas (Gray et al, 2018)). Therefore, it is essential that scientists, particularly in Australia, facilitate and encourage open dialogue with the wider community to ensure they remain aware of public expectations and needs. One way to do this is by hosting seminars and research symposiums that involve a two-way exchange between audience and presenters to facilitate learning and collaboration, which is one of the activities we have run this year (Rowe and Frewer, 2000; Abelson et al., 2003).</p> | ||
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| + | <h2>On the Day</h2> | ||
| + | <p>With this in mind, the UNSW iGEM team hosted a symposium that gathered experts from a variety of synthetic biology-adjacent fields. The symposium, entitled ‘Challenges in the Australian Innovation Landscape for Synthetic Biology’, consisted of presentations from synthetic biology research teams (including UNSW iGEM) and a Q&A for members of the wider community with synthetic biology experts. These experts were;</p> | ||
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| + | <div id=”hughG” class=”box carousel-div”> | ||
| + | <h2>Dr Hugh Goold</h2> | ||
| + | <p>Hugh works for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. His role is in two parts. At Macquarie University's Synthetic Biology Research group, Hugh is building Chromosome XVI of the synthetic Yeast genome, Yeast 2.0. Hugh is also tasked by DPI with identifying research projects with applications to primary industries such as forestry agriculture and fisheries. Hugh completed his PhD at the Université Aix Marseille in France and the University of Sydney in Australia in 2015.</p> | ||
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| + | <div id=”mattK” class=”box carousel-div”> | ||
| + | <h2>Associate Professor Matthew Kearnes</h2> | ||
| + | <p>An Associate Professor in the School of Humanities & Languages, Matthew is a member of the Environmental Humanities group at UNSW. His research encompasses areas of Science and Technology Studies (STS), environmental sociology, and contemporary social theory. Matthew’s current work is focused on the social and political dimensions of technological and environmental change, including ongoing work on nanotechnology, precision medicine, geoengineering and the development of negative emission strategies to anthropogenic climatic change. He has many publications on the ways in which the development of novel and emerging technologies is entangled with profound social, ethical and normative questions.</p> | ||
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| + | <div id=”domG” class=”box carousel-div”> | ||
| + | <h2>Dr. Dominic Glover</h2> | ||
| + | <p>Dominic Glover is a protein engineer and synthetic biologist. He graduated with a PhD in Biochemistry from Monash University and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley developing self-assembling protein templates. In 2017, he joined the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of New South Wales as a Senior Lecturer in synthetic biology. His research activities seek to understand and exploit the remarkable fidelity and precision of protein self-assembly for biotechnology applications.</p> | ||
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| + | <div id=”carlS” class=”box carousel-div”> | ||
| + | <h2>Carl Stubbings</h2> | ||
| + | <p>Carl’s speciality is the commercialisation of diagnostic products, both locally and globally. He’s worked in senior roles in both the US and Australia, part of which included obtaining FDA clearance for, and commercially releasing, the first diagnostic test for West Nile Virus. He’s also been the VP of Sales and Marketing for Focus Diagnostics, which involved Carl leading the commercialisation of the first molecular H1N1 test. Since 2012, Carl’s been back in Australia, working as the Chief Business Officer at Benitec Biopharma, where he was responsible for corporate and business development of their gene-silencing therapeutic platform, including developing and executing commercialisation strategy and executing licensing/partnership agreements with large pharmaceutical companies. He’s now working with several Aussie biotech companies on their commercialisation strategies, particularly in the diagnostic space.</p> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <p>This discussion was guided by one of our team members, and engaged with topics as varied as the importance of educating the public, commercialisation, ethics, open source science, and future applications. To see the full two-hour symposium video, which was uploaded to YouTube, please click <a target=”_blank” href=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgdRi1NCumM>here</a>.</p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <p>Presentations were also given by ourselves, the iGEM team from <a target=”_blank” href=https://2018.igem.org/Team:UNSW_Australia/Collaborations><b>Macquarie University</b> and the <b>University of Sydney BIOMOD team</b> on our 2018 projects. This gave the gathered audience and experts an opportunity to engage with current innovations in the space, and provide their feedback and perspective during the networking hour. </p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <p>Perspectives from the attendees and speakers were not only gathered anecdotally by our team, but also through a short attendance <a target=”_blank” href=https://unswigem.typeform.com/to/VGM7mD>survey</a> that helped us understand the demographic of our audience and encourage their engagement.</p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <h2>Outcomes and Analysis</h2> | ||
| + | <p>This outreach experience framed the rest of our human practices work, with key take away messages being integrated into all aspects of our project.</p> | ||
| + | <h3>Defining Synthetic Biology</h3> | ||
| + | <p>Prior to the discussions, the audience were asked to evaluate their understanding of synthetic biology. Despite over 97% of the attendants having heard of the term before, 32% of them seemed unsure about its definition. This was a common theme that we encountered amongst discussions with our family and friends.</p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <p>Similarly, the panellists gave diverse answers when challenged to define the term. From discussing the evolution of the field of molecular biology to considering the interface between the organic and inorganic, the speakers all came back to the idea that this space has been built by combining previous research, scientific principles, and an overarching goal to invent promising new technologies. At one point, Matthew Kearnes even included the audience by asking them from what field of science or engineering they identify with, and using the range of responses from engineers, chemists, biologists and social scientists to illustrate the diversity and inclusivity of the field of synthetic biology. </p> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <p>However, the common thread throughout this part of the discussion was that synthetic biology focuses on applying engineering principles to biological systems to build reliable methods and tools. This is backed by the literature, (Agapakis, 2014; Gray et al, 2018) with the key philosophies behind most projects being rational design, modularity, abstraction and novelty; all paradigms that stem from engineering practices and commercialising processes. </p> | ||
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Revision as of 05:14, 14 October 2018
Education and Public Engagement
Synthetic biology is the application of engineering design principles to biology in order to develop tools and systems that will benefit society. In order for such engineering projects to be successful, they must not only be physically and technically feasible, but also be socially acceptable. With this in mind, the UNSW iGEM team sought to engage with the wider community, to open conversations about how our project would be received, and inspire further interest in synthetic biology more generally.
During our project, the team developed a variety of activities and resources that aimed to encourage public engagement with synthetic biology research. From speaking to academics our peers, and high school students, we ensured our project was being tested and considered by a wide audience, with our team discovering (and exploiting) many creative points of interaction between our project and public interest.
By taking to the stage in our research symposium and faculty speeches, we were able to share our story, but also challenge the general public to question and consider current ‘synbio’ technology. This work was continued with our SBA published article which summarised our project (and synthetic biology more generally) for a wider audience to consider. We also worked to inspire the next generation of scientists by creating a workshop to bring our project, and the relevant school topics which underpin it, to a group of high school students. Alongside this effort, we developed a package to assist teachers deliver standard high school ‘in-class’ instruction. This enabled us to develop an outreach and education strategy which would have a sustainable impact on the engagement of schools in synthetic biology, that could be built upon in the future.
To learn a little bit more about each of our outreach and engagement pursuits, please click on the following headings:
Symposium
Relevance
Breakthroughs and scientific discoveries underpin the new technologies and tools which benefit broader society. As a result, it is important for scientists and engineers to keep in mind the people who will benefit from those advancements. Community engagement and outreach is one important mechanism assisting scientists to ensure that design is purpose-orientated and useful for the community. Open dialogue with a range of members from the public, academia and industry has helped our team, and can help scientists more generally, recognise alternate perspectives and values which may inform their work – which is particularly important given the variability of community values.
Considered and purposeful design is particularly important for synthetic biology-based tools, as they have the potential to cause major unforeseen damage to the global community. Research has found that many harmful products are the result of designers being unconcerned with the overlapping causes, content and consequences of their solutions (Agapakis, 2014). This suggests that dangerous and unsustainable systems can be avoided by ensuring that consultation with ethics, regulation and public opinion is undertaken.
This is particularly important in an Australian context, given the steep upward trajectory of the field of synthetic biology, and Australia’s place as a significant global contender (14th globally for publications in synthetic biology-associated areas (Gray et al, 2018)). Therefore, it is essential that scientists, particularly in Australia, facilitate and encourage open dialogue with the wider community to ensure they remain aware of public expectations and needs. One way to do this is by hosting seminars and research symposiums that involve a two-way exchange between audience and presenters to facilitate learning and collaboration, which is one of the activities we have run this year (Rowe and Frewer, 2000; Abelson et al., 2003).
On the Day
With this in mind, the UNSW iGEM team hosted a symposium that gathered experts from a variety of synthetic biology-adjacent fields. The symposium, entitled ‘Challenges in the Australian Innovation Landscape for Synthetic Biology’, consisted of presentations from synthetic biology research teams (including UNSW iGEM) and a Q&A for members of the wider community with synthetic biology experts. These experts were;
Dr Hugh Goold
Hugh works for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries. His role is in two parts. At Macquarie University's Synthetic Biology Research group, Hugh is building Chromosome XVI of the synthetic Yeast genome, Yeast 2.0. Hugh is also tasked by DPI with identifying research projects with applications to primary industries such as forestry agriculture and fisheries. Hugh completed his PhD at the Université Aix Marseille in France and the University of Sydney in Australia in 2015.
Associate Professor Matthew Kearnes
An Associate Professor in the School of Humanities & Languages, Matthew is a member of the Environmental Humanities group at UNSW. His research encompasses areas of Science and Technology Studies (STS), environmental sociology, and contemporary social theory. Matthew’s current work is focused on the social and political dimensions of technological and environmental change, including ongoing work on nanotechnology, precision medicine, geoengineering and the development of negative emission strategies to anthropogenic climatic change. He has many publications on the ways in which the development of novel and emerging technologies is entangled with profound social, ethical and normative questions.
Dr. Dominic Glover
Dominic Glover is a protein engineer and synthetic biologist. He graduated with a PhD in Biochemistry from Monash University and subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley developing self-assembling protein templates. In 2017, he joined the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences at the University of New South Wales as a Senior Lecturer in synthetic biology. His research activities seek to understand and exploit the remarkable fidelity and precision of protein self-assembly for biotechnology applications.
Carl Stubbings
Carl’s speciality is the commercialisation of diagnostic products, both locally and globally. He’s worked in senior roles in both the US and Australia, part of which included obtaining FDA clearance for, and commercially releasing, the first diagnostic test for West Nile Virus. He’s also been the VP of Sales and Marketing for Focus Diagnostics, which involved Carl leading the commercialisation of the first molecular H1N1 test. Since 2012, Carl’s been back in Australia, working as the Chief Business Officer at Benitec Biopharma, where he was responsible for corporate and business development of their gene-silencing therapeutic platform, including developing and executing commercialisation strategy and executing licensing/partnership agreements with large pharmaceutical companies. He’s now working with several Aussie biotech companies on their commercialisation strategies, particularly in the diagnostic space.
This discussion was guided by one of our team members, and engaged with topics as varied as the importance of educating the public, commercialisation, ethics, open source science, and future applications. To see the full two-hour symposium video, which was uploaded to YouTube, please click here.
Presentations were also given by ourselves, the iGEM team from Macquarie University and the University of Sydney BIOMOD team on our 2018 projects. This gave the gathered audience and experts an opportunity to engage with current innovations in the space, and provide their feedback and perspective during the networking hour.
Perspectives from the attendees and speakers were not only gathered anecdotally by our team, but also through a short attendance survey that helped us understand the demographic of our audience and encourage their engagement.
Outcomes and Analysis
This outreach experience framed the rest of our human practices work, with key take away messages being integrated into all aspects of our project.
Defining Synthetic Biology
Prior to the discussions, the audience were asked to evaluate their understanding of synthetic biology. Despite over 97% of the attendants having heard of the term before, 32% of them seemed unsure about its definition. This was a common theme that we encountered amongst discussions with our family and friends.
Similarly, the panellists gave diverse answers when challenged to define the term. From discussing the evolution of the field of molecular biology to considering the interface between the organic and inorganic, the speakers all came back to the idea that this space has been built by combining previous research, scientific principles, and an overarching goal to invent promising new technologies. At one point, Matthew Kearnes even included the audience by asking them from what field of science or engineering they identify with, and using the range of responses from engineers, chemists, biologists and social scientists to illustrate the diversity and inclusivity of the field of synthetic biology.
However, the common thread throughout this part of the discussion was that synthetic biology focuses on applying engineering principles to biological systems to build reliable methods and tools. This is backed by the literature, (Agapakis, 2014; Gray et al, 2018) with the key philosophies behind most projects being rational design, modularity, abstraction and novelty; all paradigms that stem from engineering practices and commercialising processes.