"Infrastructure and Scaffolding: Themes and Questions to Support Diverse Engagements with the Sciences of Changing Life"

Led by Peter J. Taylor
Programs in Science, Technology & Values and Critical & Creative Thinking
University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA
http://www.faculty.umb.edu/pjt ; peter.taylor@umb.edu

Goals of workshop:
1. To consider some of the themes introduced in the pre-circulated manuscript and the connections that workshop participants draw with their own research and thinking.
2. To introduce some new approaches for working together in groups.

Preparation before the workshop:  Read as much of the manuscript as you can -- or, at least, as much as you need to identify some places where you have questions and places where the ideas connect with your own work.  Write the questions and points of connection down on paper and bring them with you.

Friday 16th

9-10.30
Welcome and introductions
PT provides an introduction to the manuscript by reviewing the case of phenylketonuria.
In pairs, participants compare their "questions and points of connection" and prepare a question for PT
PT addresses Questions

BREAK

10.45-11.55
PT introduces the case of MAOA genes and anti-social behavior
Discussion of newspaper article on new research on race-linked genetic variant making beta blockers ineffective.  Does it support or complicate the argument made in sections #6 & 7 on MAOA and personalized medicine?
(If you want to read the article in advance, see)

PT introduces idea of multiple points of engagement in intersecting processes through case of research on higher incidence of depression in working class women in London c. 1970

12.00-1.00
Dialogue process on topic of "How do we envisage that our interpretations that are based in STS and allied disciplines can influence the directions taken by science and in its applications.
(If you want a preview of this process, see)