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Forging New Connections Between Nanoscience and Society in the UCSB Center for Nanotechnology in Society Science and Engineering Fellows Program

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Global Perspectives of Nanoscience and Engineering Education

Part of the book series: Science Policy Reports ((SCIPOLICY))

Abstract

As authorized by the National Nanotechnology Initiative, Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs) are mandated to develop a skilled workforce and support responsible development of nanotechnology, including attention to ethical, legal and societal implications (ELSI). An NSEC, the National Science Foundation Center for Nanotechnology in Society at the University of California, Santa Barbara addresses both of these goals within the context of its Science and Engineering Fellows Program. By placing doctoral students from science and engineering disciplines in team-based social science projects focused on ELSI, this program forges closer ties between laboratory scientists and social perspectives. This chapter offers an overview of the program, describes how Fellows were integrated into two specific research streams, and shares analysis of interviews with Fellows. These interviews, conducted as part of an evaluation of the program, provide evidence that the Science and Engineering Fellows Program has fostered in its graduates the sort of reflexivity called for by advocates of responsible innovation.

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon research supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement Nos. SES 0531184 and SES 0938099. The Science & Engineering Fellows Program at CNS-UCSB is supported by the same grants. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. The authors would like to thank: all the participants in this project for their time and thoughtful reflection on their experiences in the CNS; and Dr. Fiona Goodchild, who helped to establish the Fellows program discussed in this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Nanotechnology in Society, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA

    Brandon Fastman, Miriam Metzger & Barbara Herr Harthorn

  2. Department of Communication, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA

    Miriam Metzger

  3. Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106, USA

    Barbara Herr Harthorn

Authors
  1. Brandon Fastman
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  2. Miriam Metzger
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  3. Barbara Herr Harthorn
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brandon Fastman .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA

    Kurt Winkelmann

  2. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Bharat Bhushan

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Fastman, B., Metzger, M., Harthorn, B.H. (2016). Forging New Connections Between Nanoscience and Society in the UCSB Center for Nanotechnology in Society Science and Engineering Fellows Program. In: Winkelmann, K., Bhushan, B. (eds) Global Perspectives of Nanoscience and Engineering Education. Science Policy Reports. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31833-2_14

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