Of responsible research-Exploring the science-society dialogue in undergraduate training within the life sciences.
We explore the integration of societal issues in undergraduate training within the life sciences. Skills in thinking about science, scientific knowledge production and the place of science in society are crucial in the context of the idea of responsible research and innovation. This idea became institutionalized and it is currently well-present in the scientific agenda. Developing abilities in this regard seems particularly relevant to training in the life sciences, as new developments in this area somehow evoke the involvement of all of us citizens, our engagement to debate and take part in processes of change. The present analysis draws from the implementation of a curricular unit focused on science-society dialogue, an optional course included in the Biochemistry Degree study plan offered at the University of Porto. This curricular unit was designed to be mostly an exploratory activity for the students, enabling them to undertake in-depth study in areas/topics of their specific interest. Mapping topics from students' final papers provided a means of analysis and became a useful tool in the exploratory collaborative construction of the course. We discuss both the relevance and the opportunity of thinking and questioning the science-society dialogue. As part of undergraduate training, this pedagogical practice was deemed successful. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(1):46-52, 2017.
ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal.
Maria Strecht
MS
Almeida
ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-313, Portugal.|i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.|IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen 208, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal.
Alexandre
A
Quintanilha
D022126:Access to Information; D001690:Biological Science Disciplines / Q000193:education*; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013334:Students
RRI; responsible research and innovation; science and society; undergraduate education