RSA14 Schedule Overview Marriott Rivercenter – San Antonio, TX May 22-26, 2014
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The Creation of Neuroscience
The Creation of Neuroscience The Society for Neuroscience and the Quest for Disciplinary Unity 1969-1995 Introduction rom the molecular biology of a single neuron to the breathtakingly complex circuitry of the entire human nervous system, our understanding of the brain and how it works has undergone radical F changes over the past century. These advances have brought us tantalizingly closer to genu- inely mechanistic and scientifically rigorous explanations of how the brain’s roughly 100 billion neurons, interacting through trillions of synaptic connections, function both as single units and as larger ensem- bles. The professional field of neuroscience, in keeping pace with these important scientific develop- ments, has dramatically reshaped the organization of biological sciences across the globe over the last 50 years. Much like physics during its dominant era in the 1950s and 1960s, neuroscience has become the leading scientific discipline with regard to funding, numbers of scientists, and numbers of trainees. Furthermore, neuroscience as fact, explanation, and myth has just as dramatically redrawn our cultural landscape and redefined how Western popular culture understands who we are as individuals. In the 1950s, especially in the United States, Freud and his successors stood at the center of all cultural expla- nations for psychological suffering. In the new millennium, we perceive such suffering as erupting no longer from a repressed unconscious but, instead, from a pathophysiology rooted in and caused by brain abnormalities and dysfunctions. Indeed, the normal as well as the pathological have become thoroughly neurobiological in the last several decades. In the process, entirely new vistas have opened up in fields ranging from neuroeconomics and neurophilosophy to consumer products, as exemplified by an entire line of soft drinks advertised as offering “neuro” benefits. -
More Details on the Efforts to Empower Students Through Citizen Science
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of Science and Technology Policy March 23, 2015 FACT SHEET: Empowering Students and Others through Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing Citizen science and crowdsourcing projects are powerful tools for providing students with skills needed to excel in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Volunteers in citizen science, for example, gain hands-on experience doing real science, and in many cases take that learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. As part of the 5th White House Science Fair, the Obama Administration and a broader community of companies, non-profits, and others are announcing new steps to increase the ability of more students and members of the public to participate in the scientific process through citizen science and crowdsourcing projects. New Steps Being Announced by the Administration Installation of a Rain Gauge in the White House Garden: The White House, in collaboration with the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration (NOAA) and the National Park Service (NPS), will install a new rain gauge in the First Lady’s Kitchen Garden as the White House becomes a new participant in the CoCoRaHS (Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network) citizen science project. The White House will begin making contributions as an additional data source to the citizen scientist project during Science Fair. There are millions of citizen scientists in this country willingly contributing valuable time and effort to help advance our collective understanding of the world around us. The CoCoRaHS Network’s over 20,000+ active volunteers serve as the largest source of daily precipitation data in our country, reporting measurement from coastal lowlands to the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park. -
BRAIN Neuroethics Working Group Meeting
Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Neuroethics Working Group (NEWG) Meeting January 26th, 2021 On January 26th, 2021, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies® (BRAIN) Initiative Neuroethics Working Group (NEWG) met virtually to discuss emerging ethics themes in the BRAIN portfolio and potential future workshop topics, and revisited neuroethics themes in the BRAIN 2.0 reports. In opening remarks, John Ngai, PhD, Director of the NIH BRAIN Initiative, emphasized the importance of continuing to work towards equity, in general and in the neuroethics space. He also reminded participants of the joint session with the Multi-Council Working Group (MCWG) and NEWG, which took place the following day. Next, Saskia Hendriks, MD, PhD, Faculty in the NIH Bioethics Department and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Neuroethics Consultant, presented key findings from an analysis on emerging neuroethical considerations in BRAIN grants awarded during fiscal year 2020. Dr. Hendriks summarized 12 themes identified by the analysis, which fell into two broad groups of potential ethical challenges: conducting research ethically; and the implications of research, tools, and technologies on individuals, groups, and society. The NEWG valued these findings, recognizing that the themes were consistent with concurrent discussions of neuroethics priorities for BRAIN. Participants also considered increasing funding opportunity outreach efforts to neuroscientists interested in partnering with neuroethicists. Further, the group acknowledged the need to raise awareness about the value of integrating neuroethics into neuroscience research, potentially by hosting a workshop on identifying ways to facilitate this integration. Henry (Hank) T. Greely, JD, Director of Law and Biosciences at Stanford University and co-chair of the NEWG, led a discussion on potential future NEWG workshop topics for the next phase of the NIH BRAIN Initiative. -
Tilburg University Citizen Sensing and Ontopolitics in the Anthropocene Berti Suman, Anna; Petersmann, Marie-Catherine
Tilburg University Citizen sensing and ontopolitics in the anthropocene Berti Suman, Anna; Petersmann, Marie-Catherine Published in: COVID-19 from the margins. Publication date: 2021 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): Berti Suman, A., & Petersmann, M-C. (2021). Citizen sensing and ontopolitics in the anthropocene. In S. Milan, E. Treré, & S. Masiero (Eds.), COVID-19 from the margins. : Pandemic invisibilities, policies and resistance in the datafied society. (pp. 225-240). (Theory on Demand Series; No. 40). Institute of Network Cultures. General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 30. sep. 2021 COVID-19 FROM THE MARGINS 225 41. CITIZEN SENSING AND ONTOPOLITICS -
Obama Administration Proposes Over $434 Million in Funding for the BRAIN Initiative
Obama Administration Proposes Over $434 Million in Funding for the BRAIN Initiative “Last year, I launched the BRAIN Initiative to help unlock the mysteries of the brain, to improve our treatment of conditions like Alzheimer’s and autism and to deepen our understanding of how we think, learn and remember. I’m pleased to announce new steps that my Administration is taking to support this critical research, and I’m heartened to see so many private, philanthropic, and academic institutions joining this effort.” - President Barack Obama September 2014 Since its launch in April 2013, the President’s BRAIN Initiative® - Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies – has grown to include investments from five Federal agencies: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Federal agencies are supporting the initiative by investing in promising research projects aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain, developing novel technologies, and supporting further research and development in neurotechnology. The President’s 2017 Budget also proposes funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to join DARPA, NIH, NSF, IARPA, and FDA in advancing the goals of the BRAIN Initiative. Major foundations, private research institutions, and companies including the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Allen Institute for Brain Science, the Kavli Foundation, the Simons Foundation, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, as well as patient advocacy organizations and universities, have committed over $500 million to the BRAIN Initiative. There are many opportunities for others across sectors to play a role in this historic initiative through new and expanded commitments to advance the BRAIN Initiative. -
One Page BRAIN Initiative Overview 2018
® The BRAIN Initiative Over the past 25 years, the burden of At a glance... neurological disorders has increased sub- stantially. This increase, combined with the Launched in 2013, the NIH BRAIN Initia- growing burden of mental and substance tive is revealing how the brain works, by use disorders, reinforces the need for new developing and applying tools to precise- ways to intervene and deepen our ly map and observe brain circuits. st knowledge of the brain. The 21 Century Cures Act provides NIH Not enough is known about the billions of BRAIN Initiative funding through 2026. brain cells—that communicate via trillions NIH has invested over $950 million in the of synapses to make up the circuitry—that BRAIN Initiative, supporting over 550 enable us to perceive, think, feel, and act. new awards. The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN)® Ten NIH Institutes and Centers partici- Initiativewww.braininitiative.org ( ) sup- pate in the NIH BRAIN Initiative. ports research to develop and use extra- The BRAIN Initiative Alliance communi- ordinary new technologies that will revolu- cates BRAIN Initiative activities of Federal tionize our understanding of the brain. agencies and private organizations. 12-Year Scientific Vision • Seven priority areas outline the Initiative: • The BRAIN Multi-Council Working Group (MCWG) helps NIH to track the Initiative and assists with Discovering diversity: Identify different brain informing Advisory Councils of the Institutes and cell types and determine their roles in health Centers that contribute to the NIH BRAIN Initiative. and disease. • The BRAIN Neuroethics Working Group (NEWG) Maps at multiple scales: Generate circuit considers ethical implications arising from the diagrams that vary in resolution from synapses development and use of BRAIN neurotechnologies to the whole brain. -
The Challenge of Evaluation an Open Framework for Evaluating Citizen
The Challenge of Evaluation: An Open Framework for Evaluating Citizen Science Activities Barbara Kieslinger1, Teresa Schäfer1, Florian Heigl2, Daniel Dörler2, Anett Richter3,4, Aletta Bonn3,4,5 1 Centre for Social Innovation, ZSI, Linke Wienzeile 246, 1150 Vienna, Austria 2 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, 1180 Wien, Austria 3 Department of Ecosystem Services, UFZ – Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany 4 German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany 5 Institute of Ecology, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Dornburger Str. 159, 07743 Jena, Germany Abstract In today’s knowledge-based society we are experiencing a rise in citizen science activities. Citizen science goals include enhancing scientific knowledge generation, contributing to societally relevant questions, fostering scientific literacy in society and transforming science communication. These aims, however, are rarely evaluated, and project managers as well as prospective funders are often at a loss when it comes to assessing and reviewing the quality and impact of citizen science activities. To ensure and improve the quality of citizen science outcomes evaluation methods are required for planning, self-evaluation and training development as well as for informing funding reviews and impact assessments. Here, based on an in-depth review of the characteristics and diversity of citizen science activities and current evaluation practices, we develop an open framework for evaluating diverse citizen science activities, ranging from projects initiated by grassroots initiatives to those led by academic scientists. The framework incorporates the social, the scientific and the socio- ecological/economic perspectives of citizen science and thus offers a comprehensive collection of indicators at a glance. -
Citizen Science at EPA
EPA Tools and Resources Webinar Citizen Science at EPA Jay Benforado Chief Innovation Officer US EPA Office of Research and Development April 15, 2020 1 Office of Research and Development If you had 100,000 people to help you with your work, what would you do? 2 Citizen Science is . • The involvement of the public in scientific research often in collaboration with professional scientists and scientific institutions. • A transformational approach to environmental protection that engages volunteers, allowing large numbers people to contribute to science. 3 Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science In crowdsourcing, organizations submit an open call for voluntary assistance from a large group of individuals for online, distributed problem solving. Charles Darwin 4 “The Original Crowd-Sourced Scientist” Crowdsourcing example: “Can Smart Thermometers Track the Spread of the Coronavirus?” • Kinsa Health thermometers (internet-connected) are in a million U.S. households. • Real-time data from these thermometers can identify unusual patterns of fever clusters. • For several years, the company’s maps have accurately predicted the spread of flu about two weeks before CDC’s surveillance tool. • Crowdsourced fever data may be an early warning system for potential COVID-19 spread. 5 * NYTimes article by Donald McNeil Jr. , March 18, 2020 There are Many Ways to Involve Volunteers in Observations Geolocation Scientific Research and Photography Measurement Monitoring! Sample/specimen Species identification collection Data collection Data analysis Defining Data processing Disseminating research results questions Image analysis Transcribing data Data entry Annotate text 6 Classification or tagging 7 Volunteer Water Monitoring Thousands of groups across the US monitor the condition of their local streams, lakes, estuaries, wetlands, and groundwater resources. -
Scientometric Analysis of Research in Energy Efficiency and Citizen
sustainability Article Scientometric Analysis of Research in Energy Efficiency and Citizen Science through Projects and Publications Daniela De Filippo 1,2,* , María Luisa Lascurain 1,2, Andres Pandiella-Dominique 1 and Elias Sanz-Casado 1,2 1 INAECU Research Institute for Higher Education and Science (UC3M-UAM), Calle Madrid 126, 28903 Getafe, Spain; [email protected] (M.L.L.); [email protected] (A.P.-D.); [email protected] (E.S.-C.) 2 Department of Library and Information Sciences, Carlos III University of Madrid, Calle Madrid 126, 28903 Getafe, Spain * Correspondence: dfi[email protected] Received: 20 March 2020; Accepted: 23 June 2020; Published: 24 June 2020 Abstract: Energy efficiency is part of the commitment to environmental sustainability made by the organizations that promote and finance research and by the researchers that make this field their subject of study. Although there is growing interest in the subject, it is worth asking whether the research has been approached considering citizens’ needs or citizens’ participation. The main objective of this study is to analyse whether energy efficiency research has adopted a citizen science perspective. Using scientometric methods, the SCOPUS and CORDIS databases were consulted and a document search strategy was developed to gather information on publications and projects. The analysis revealed that, out of 265 projects under the Seventh Framework Programme on Energy Efficiency, only seven (3%) were related to citizen science. Although there is a large volume of publications on energy efficiency (over 200,000) and a considerable number of publications on citizen science (>30,000 articles), only 336 documents were identified that deal with both topics. -
UNDERSTANDING the BRAIN (Utb) $143,930,000 +$37,490,000 / 35.2%
UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN (UtB) $143,930,000 +$37,490,000 / 35.2% Overview Understanding the Brain (UtB) is a multi-year effort that continues the previously titled “Cognitive Science and Neuroscience” activity and that includes NSF’s participation in the Administration’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative. For over three decades, NSF has supported fundamental brain research from molecules to cognition and behavior, and enabled technology development, through many disciplinary programs spread across the Foundation. In 2012, Congress encouraged NSF to create a cross-foundation activity in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience, and also encouraged the White House to form an Interagency Working Group on Neuroscience (IWGN) under the National Science and Technology Council, which is co-chaired by NSF. In FY 2013, the President announced the multi-agency BRAIN Initiative, with NSF as one of the lead participating agencies. The Understanding the Brain activity draws together and consolidates NSF’s ongoing activities in Cognitive Science and Neuroscience and the BRAIN Initiative. With UtB, NSF aims to leverage its existing investments and foster greater collaboration among these research and technology disciplines to accelerate fundamental discoveries in neuroscience, cognitive science, and neuroengineering. Understanding the brain is one of the grand scientific challenges at the intersection of the physical, life, behavioral, and engineering sciences. The National Research Council report, “Research at the Intersection of the Physical and Life Sciences” (2010), identified “Understanding the Brain” as one of the top five grand challenges for research that will significantly benefit society. The National Academy of Engineering has also recognized “Reverse-Engineering the Brain” as a Grand Challenge for Engineering (2008). -
Philosophical Foundations for Citizen Science
Elliott, KC and Rosenberg, J. 2019. Philosophical Foundations for Citizen Science. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 4(1): 9, pp. 1–9, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.155 ESSAY Philosophical Foundations for Citizen Science Kevin C. Elliott* and Jon Rosenberg† Citizen science is increasingly being recognized as an important approach for gathering data, addressing community needs, and creating fruitful engagement between citizens and professional scientists. Nevertheless, the implementation of citizen science projects can be hampered by a variety of barriers. Some of these are practical (e.g., lack of funding or lack of training for both professional scientists and volunteers), but others are theoretical barriers having to do with concerns about whether citizen science lives up to standards of good scientific practice. These concerns about the overall quality of citizen science are ethically significant, because it is ethically problematic to waste resources on low-quality research, and it is also problematic to denigrate or dismiss research that is of high quality. Scholarship from the philosophy of science is well-placed to address these theoretical barriers, insofar as it is fun- damentally concerned about the nature of good scientific inquiry. This paper examines three important concerns: (1) the worry that citizen science is not appropriately hypothesis-driven; (2) the worry that citizen science does not generate sufficiently high-quality data or use sufficiently rigorous methods; and (3) the worry that citizen science is tainted by advocacy and is therefore not sufficiently disinterested. We show that even though some of these concerns may be relevant to specific instances of citizen sci- ence, none of these three concerns provides a compelling reason to challenge the overall quality of citizen science in principle. -
Future Directions for Citizen Science and Public Policy
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR CITIZEN SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY Edited by Katie Cohen and Robert Doubleday Centre for Science and Policy June 2021 FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR CITIZEN SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY Edited by Katie Cohen and Robert Doubleday Centre for Science and Policy Future directions for citizen science and public policy Open access. Some rights reserved. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International (CC BY- NC 4.0) licence. You are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and remix, transform, and build upon the material, under the following terms: you must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use. To view the full licence, visit: www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/legalcode The Centre for Science and Policy gratefully acknowledges the work of Creative Commons in inspiring our approach to copyright. To find out more go to:www.creativecommons.org The Centre for Science and Policy was set up at the University of Cambridge in 2009 with the mission to improve public policy through the more effective use of evidence and expertise. CSaP does this by creating opportunities for public policy professionals and academics to learn from each other. CSaP has a unique network of over 450 Policy Fellows and 1,750 experts contributing to more dynamic and diverse scientific input to the most pressing public policy challenges.