Public Engagement
Stem cell research, particularly embryonic stem cell research, arouses some strong ethical and moral views. We do not shy away from this and are determined to engage with, and explain our work to, the public.
We are extremely lucky in the North East to have both the world-renowned Centre for Life and the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Institute (PEALS) in the region. Both are engaged with NESCI.
- The Life Science Centre, part of the Centre for Life, introduces the public and schoolchildren to complex scientific issues. It arranges a range of debates and discussions. Look at What's On.
- PEALS is a joint initiative between Durham and Newcastle Universities, which carries out critical assessments and evaluations of much of our work from an ethical and public policy angle. Take a look at PEALS's current research work. They also have a stem cell policy group, for information please contact kenneth.taylor@ncl.ac.uk
NESCI and the Centre for Life hold annual Stem Cell Weekends, where a range of activities and exhibits that explore stem cells are taken to a prominent location in the region.
In 2010, the Stem Cell Weekend took place in the MetroCentre. Activities included the chance to see what life is like as a research scientist in a mock ‘Clean room’, dressed up in lab clothing and practising laboratory skills. Younger shoppers got the chance to make a cell in a Petri dish to take home, with adults using microscopes that show how cells from skin, muscle and blood look different. Scientists from NESCI were there to talk about the research happening in the region and their hopes for the future.
If you have any views you would like us to take into account, please e-mail us: office@nesci.ac.uk.
A stem cell scientist explains where stem cells are found.
Shoppers use microscopes to look at different types of cell.
