Former MIT researcher discusses neuroethics in center's first fall talk

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The ethical standards and professional responsibility of neuroscience researchers will be explored in a talk that leads Western Michigan University's Center for the Study of Ethics in Society's fall 2018 lecture series.

Dr. Stephanie J. Bird, former special assistant to the provost and vice president for research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will speak on "Putting Science in its Place: Neuroscience and Neuroethics" at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, located at 300 Portage St.

Now an independent consultant and speaker, Bird also edits the international journal Science and Engineering Ethics, which explores issues of direct concern to scientists and engineers related to both the practice and application of science and technology.

Her presentation is free and open to the public and the first in the lecture series that includes fall talks and events through Friday, Nov. 9.

Upcoming presentations

The other upcoming ethics center events for fall take place on WMU's Main Campus. The dates, presentations, times and locations are:

• Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 25-26: Black History 101 Mobile Museum special exhibit, " '68: How Far Have We Come?," 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Richmond Center for Visual Arts atrium. Related events include a discussion led by Khalid el-Hakim, curator, "The Truth Hurts: Black History, Honesty and Healing the Racial Divide," at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in Room 2008 Richmond Center and a program facilitated by the WMU Office for Diversity and Inclusion, " '68: How Far Have We Come?," at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Trimpe Building's Multicultural Center.
• Wednesday, Oct. 24: Dr. Carla Koretsky, WMU College of Arts and Sciences dean, "Invisible Salt and Urban Dead Seas: Who Is Responsible?,” 4 p.m., rooms 157-159 Bernhard Center.
• Monday, Nov. 5: Panel discussion with moderator Dr. Susan Stapleton, WMU Graduate College dean, "Integrating Research Ethics Into the High School Science Classroom," 6 p.m., Room 1710 Sangren Hall.
• Friday, Nov. 9: Dr. Justin C. Clark, assistant professor of philosophy at Hamilton College, "Plato's Dialogues of Definition: What Is Socrates Looking For,?" 5 p.m. Room 157 Bernhard Center. This talk is part of the 11th annual WMU Graduate Philosophy Conference.

Learn more about the WMU Center for the Study of Ethics in Society.

For more information, email Dr. Sandra Borden or read more about the lecture series.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.