No aspect of life in contemporary society is untouched by science and technology. We face major challenges in terms of:

• translating new scientific knowledge into practical innovations
• the need to maintain public trust and support for scientific research
• the social, economic and ethical issues raised by the development of new technologies

The importance of these challenges is reflected by Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the European Union (EU),  with the emphasis being placed on the training of scientists, public engagement and socio-economic impact.

The University of Nottingham is uniquely placed to address these challenges, by building on research and teaching excellence across the University, in particular in the:

• multidisciplinary Institute for Science and Society
• Centre for Applied Bioethics

Both have secured considerable research funding over the past five years.

University expertise

A number of activities relating to the science and society agenda are being carried out in a wide range of departments in Nottingham, including:

• chemistry
• biomedical science
• pharmacy
• engineering
• the vet school

Staff from the social sciences and humanities have been cooperating with:

• nanoscience
• microbiology
• regenerative medicine
• neuroscience

Current research focuses on:

• the cultural framing of climate change debates
• sustainable bioenergy
• the ethics of synthetic biology
• neuroscience and changing concepts of human nature
• visualisation and science communication
• public understanding of carbon capture

Academic leads

• Academic Champion: Professor Brigitte Nerlich - Sociology and Social Policy
• Business Development Executive: Rosamund Aubrey

Other key academics 

• Professor Reiner Grundmann (from September 2012) - Sociology and Social Policy
• Dr Sujatha Raman - Engineering
• Dr Pru Hobson-West - Vet School
• Dr Kate Millar - Biosciences 
• Professor Philip Moriarty (School of Physics and Astronomy)
• Professor Christopher Johnson (School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies)
• Dr Georgina Endfield (Geography)
• Dr June McCombie (Chemistry)