Etihics & Society

Curating the legacy of responsible research and innovation in the Human Brain Project

Over the last decade, the Human Brain Project Building has used structured and strategic approaches to embed responsible research and innovation (RRI) practices across the project. The efforts to curate the legacy of this work includes the development an online RRI toolkit. A recent paper explores whether this kind of toolkit can help embed the…

Colored pencils. Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Equality, diversity and inclusion: tools for project themes and teams

Women are still underrepresented in top positions in academia. Considering sex, gender, ethnicity, culture and other aspects of diversity have relevance for the way knowledge is produced, understood and disseminated. But how can we make that happen? Karin Grasenick. Julia Trattnig & Pilar Romero have developed a toolkit on equality in governance structures, procedures and…

Brain. Photo by David Matos on Unsplash

Broadening the debate on neurorights

Awareness of the need for neurotechnology governance has led to calls for a new set of ‘neurorights.’ The neurorights proposal, however, has sparked a lively debate. In a new book several experts reflect on the challenges and promises of neurotechnologies and on existing and proposed regulatory frameworks. One suggestion is that the neurorights proposal would…

Speech bubble, image by Volodomyr Hryschensko, Unsplash

Communicate like the expert you are!

There is a big difference between academic writing and popular science narratives. Communicating about your results and research questions requires a different set of skills, and engaging with media demands that you know why you engage, who you want to inform or influence, where you can find that audience and what is the best way…

Join us to discuss on the future of responsible brain research

What is the future of responsible brain science? How should we advance work on neuroethics, society, and philosophy in research and innovation in the future, practically and conceptually? What is the status of approaches to developing more socially desirable and sustainable science and technology?  On February 2, 2023, we invite you to join us online to…

Man holding a postit that says "AI", photo by Hitesh Choudhary on Unsplash

HBP puts the European Union Assessment List for Trustworthy AI to the test

The ethical and social implications of using artificial intelligence in life science – or society – have become the main hurdle for implementation. The debate has intensified in recent years, bringing a long list of solutions in the form of approaches, tools and initiatives. One of the more prominent examples of this is the European…

Diversity in Brain Research: Does it matter? 18 May 2022

Webinar 18 May 2022: Diversity in Brain Research: Does it matter?

To which extent are brain functions affected by sex hormones? Are sex differences at the level of stem cells relevant? Is it possible to differentiate biological sex from other factors that can influence the brain, like culture or life experiences? Can it be ethically justified to only study homogenous groups when diagnosing and treating diseases,…

Advancing a responsible, ethical vision for EBRAINS

On 24 January 2022, EBRAINS hosted an international consultation designed to shape its Ethics and Society Vision. The session was organized in collaboration with the Human Brain Project (HBP) experts on Ethics and Responsible Research, the meeting gathered a renowned panel of international experts. Want to know more about the meeting? Have a look on…

Diversity, image from Pixabay

Call for submissions: Diversity in Research Paper Award

The Human Brain Project’s Diversity and Equal Opportunities Committee (DEOC) invites you to apply for our Diversity in Research Paper Award (DIRPA): You are eligible if your publication considers diversity traits such as sex, gender, age, ethnicity, etcetera in your specific field of research like neuroscience, AI, Robotics. The deadline has been extended to 17 January! More…

Arleen Salles

The value of neuroethics and philosophical reflection in the Human Brain Project

The Human Brain Project is committed to implementing responsibility in research and innovation practices. But implementing responsibility means more than setting standards or enforcing compliance. It also means changing mindsets and promoting an ethical culture: A culture where scientific excellence also includes ethical excellence. In the Human Brain Project, we are integrating neuroethics and philosophy…