Current Courses

WiSe 2023-2024: Lecture "Introduction to Life Sciences in Society"

In contemporary times, almost any aspect of life is impacted by science. Whether it is the awareness of biodiversity loss, or conveying scientific information in a diverse media landscape: new scientific discoveries and technological innovations continuously widen our understanding of life, and with it how life sciences are embedded in societal institutions and cultural norms. This raises a number of questions: how should biologists engage with the ethical and moral implications of new (bio-)technologies, such as xenotransplantation or gene editing? How should novel technologies be regulated within democratic societies? And what do scientists need to consider when doing science communication and engaging with heterogeneous publics?

This lecture introduces biology students and others to the field of science and technology studies (STS), science communication studies, and related disciplines and fields. We will discuss key theories and concepts to analyze a range of contemporary issues, and controversial technologies in life sciences, including genetic engineering, CRISPS/Cas9, xenotransplantation, etc. The lecture will also introduce students to communication and participation methods, such as citizen science, developed to democratise science and technology, and to engage a wider public on such issues as biodiversity loss, species extinction, or climate change, among others.

The Seminar is open to BA and MA students. Written assignments can be submitted in English or German.

Please go to LSF for more information.

 

WiSe 2023-2024: Seminar "Science Communication and Public Engagement"

How can scientists engage the public on life sciences? What do they need to consider when communicating the science of a (Covid-19) virus in a pandemic, or controversies around such technologies as CRISPR/Cas9 technology, genetic engineering, or xenotransplantation? What ‘issue publics’ are created as a result? Do life sciences and technology even need public participation? And, what is the role of democratic institutions, like the museum, for dealing with complex environmental issues, sciences and related technologies in public domains?

This course will introduce students to a range of participation methods and concepts, such as citizen science and 'hybrid forums', developed to democratise science and technology, and to engage a wider public concern for the environment. The course will both look at the practical design of participation formats, and offer a critical perspective by scrutinizing theories and concepts that inform them. We will focus on debates in the field of science and technology studies (STS), science communication studies, museum studies, and related fields. Students will also work in groups to design a participatory, public engagement scheme by selecting from a range of contemporary topics related to their interests.

The Seminar is open to advanced BA and MA students. Written assignments can be submitted in English or German.

Please go to LSF for more information.

 

WiSe 2023-2024: Research Course / Forschungspraktikum "Public Science Engagement"

Work with LMU’s Life Sciences in Society faculty, staff of the BIOTOPIA Lab and scientific advisors from the Biozentrum to research content and develop an original public engagement program. Learn how to engage diverse audiences with your scientific research and area of interest by creating a public program, such as a workshop, citizen science project, lab experiments or other activities.

Research key theories and practices of science communication and public science engagement, informal science education models, scientific principles, current discourses and paradigms, as well as tools to measure impact. Propose and develop an original concept for a public engagement program which could be realized in the BIOTOPIA Lab (i.e. in the form of workshops, on-line or on-site activities, etc.). Here you can test and evaluate the proposed projects in real life.

The Forschungspraktikum is open to advanced BA and MA students. Written assignments can be submitted in English or German.

Please go to LSF for more information.

 

For any inquiries, please write to Dr. Mascha Gugganig: m.gugganig@lmu.de