What does a healthy relationship between neuroscience and society look like? How do we set the conditions for that relationship to flourish? A set of teams at MIT started working on these questions in October of 2022 with a five-month planning grant from the Dana Foundation.
Between October 2022 and March 2023 the MIT Museum tested the potential for a new Center for Neuroscience and Society. The goal of the five-month project was to learn more about what happens when the distinct fields of neuroscience, ELSI scholarship, and public engagement are brought together to work side-by-side.
Neuroscience - Research in the field of neuroscience contributes to and informs our understanding of ourselves and how we view the world. Its power to shape the world is vast and advancing rapidly.
ELSI (Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications) - ELSI scholarship helps us make sense of the causes and effects we see in society and informs how we can ensure a more just world.
Public Engagement - Science does not exist in a vacuum. If we are interested in using science to shape a humane future, engaging with the public is an essential step. Through public engagement, research and public expertise and insight join to create a new venture.
