Implementing RRI in the HBP: an updated anthology
The Human Brain Project’s (HBP) commitment to ethics and societal values is a distinctive and sustainable approach to brain research, allowing for a broader, more inclusive perspective. To share their work in a sustainable and accessible way, the Ethics & Society team published a series of essays that reflect on their efforts. These contributions aimed…
Equality in science: a call to reform working conditions for researchers
In their statement on improving the working conditions for early-stage researchers in science, the Human Brain Project’s Diversity & Equal Opportunities Committee highlight the significance of the Human Brain Project and other European science collaborations stressing the importance of equal opportunities, equity, diversity, and inclusion for scientific innovation and excellence is central. It is key…
EHDS: Meeting the Challenges of Responsible Data Governance
Data is a cornerstone for innovation and better health care. Responsible data governance is key to the public’s trust in science and the sustainability of research. The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is the European Commission’s response to the pressing need for a trustworthy health data infrastructure that reaches across member states. Needless to say,…
Public engagement, foresight and inclusive community building for responsible research
How can we design and embed responsible research practices? Foresight, or the practice of looking ahead, is one way to envision potential future developments and changes. Together with public and stakeholder engagement, foresight can support work on potentially controversial issues. We have developed training resources that explain how foresight and engagement can help influence how…
Consciousness, cognition and neuroethics in the clinical context
Neuroscience is making tremendous progress in the field of consciousness. With new knowledge on Disorders of Consciousness (i.e., Vegetative State/Unaware Wakefulness Syndrome, Minimally Conscious State, Cognitive-Motor Dissociation) coming out of the Human Brain Project, neuroethical reflection on both foundational and practical issues becomes imperative. Foundational issues include the definition of consciousness and its possible use…
Brain-inspired AI, neuroethics and responsible neuroscience: an AI ethics training module
Interest in artificial intelligence, and the field of AI ethics, has exploded in the last 10 years. We have developed a training module on the potential synergies between AI ethics and neuroethics. Using brain-inspired AI as a case study the course analyses two aspects: emerging issues and methodology. The goal is to raise awareness of…
Identify, assess and better manage ethical issues raised by brain research!
Ethical reflection can actively contribute to maximising the public benefit derived from research and reduce (and hopefully help close) the gap that exists between science and society. Given the impressive advancement of scientific research on the brain, specifically on consciousness, and the rate of AI development and its translation in commercial applications, it is extremely…
Responsible and ethically sound knowledge and technology transfer
Knowledge and technology transfer is more than commercialisation. It is one of the key aspects of innovation processes and exploitation of research results. This makes these processes an excellent opportunity to make sure the care taken of ethical and responsible research and innovation practices during research and development also carries on through the continuous innovation…
Raising awareness about research integrity in big projects
According to the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity, ‘good research practices are based on fundamental principles of research integrity”. But how can we meet the practical, ethical and intellectual challenges inherent in research with integrity, how do we manage research integrity issues in big research programmes and identify research integrity mechanisms in interdisciplinary…
Human and Animal Data in EBRAINS
Brain research generates and applies big, multidimensional and multifunctional data with different levels of sensitivity. The usability, quality, integrity, availability and security of these data are critical to excellent neuroscience research and innovation. To ensure these essential qualities, as well as adherence to the FAIR data principles, EBRAINS has established a comprehensive framework and structure for…