David Berube Reflects on 20 Years of Nanotech in Society

Headshot of David Berube

At the most recent NNCI seminar, RTNN’s David Berube joined Arizona State’s Andrew Maynard to discuss nanotechnology in society over the past twenty years. Their engaging discussion covered a range of topics. 

Abstract: In a major address at Caltech in 2000, President Bill Clinton unveiled the National Nanotechnology Initiative and proposed doubling the federal funding for nanoscale research in the United States. President Clinton gave the speech in front of a map of the Western hemisphere created out of gold atoms. Looking back at it he joked: ”I think you will find more enduring uses of nanotechnology.” Since that day the federal government has poured billions of dollars into nanoscale R&D and scientists and engineers have indeed found more enduring uses. Questions, concerns, and excitement about the social aspects and implications of nanotechnology have accompanied this effort every step of the way. This panel brings together two scholars who have played important roles in exploring nano in society over the past twenty years. They will reflect on the changes in the way that scholars, governments, corporations, and the general public engage with nanotechnology over the last two decades.

Watch the conversation:

Apply Now: 2020 Winter School on Emerging Technologies

8th Annual Winter School on Responsible Innovation and Social Studies of Emerging Technologies

January 3-10, 2020
Saguaro Lake Ranch (Mesa, Arizona)

The Winter School is designed to give junior scholars an introduction to and practical experience with methods and theory for better understanding the social dimensions of emerging technologies. The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) Coordinating Office supports the Winter School, run by the School for the Future of Innovation in Society at Arizona State University .

Applicants should be advanced graduate students and/or recent PhDs with an expressed interest in studying emerging technologies. Applicants may come from any discipline, but priority will be given to those whose research focuses on societal questions. The program fees for accepted students will be covered by the NNCI including seven nights stay at the Saguaro Lake Ranch, all meals, and local transportation from Tempe, Arizona. Participants will be responsible for securing their own travel to Phoenix, Arizona.

Visit The Winter School website or review this flyer to learn more about the 2020 Winter School program and apply.

The deadline for applications has been extended until Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

Apply Now: Winter School on Emerging Technologies

7th Annual Winter School on Responsible Innovation and Social Studies of Emerging Technologies

January 3-10, 2019
Saguaro Lake Ranch (Mesa, Arizona)

The Winter School is designed to give junior scholars an introduction to and practical experience with methods and theory for better understanding the social dimensions of emerging technologies. The National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) Coordinating Office supports the Winter School, previously run by the Center for Nanotechnology in Society at Arizona State University.

Applicants should be advanced graduate students and/or recent PhDs with an expressed interest in studying emerging technologies. Applicants may come from any discipline, but priority will be given to those whose research focuses on societal questions. The program fees for accepted students will be covered by the NNCI including seven nights stay at the Saguaro Lake Ranch, all meals, and local transportation from Tempe, Arizona. Participants will be responsible for securing their own travel to Phoenix, Arizona.

Read more here.

Visit The Winter School website to download an application and learn more about the 2019 Winter School program.

The deadline for applications is Monday, October 1, 2018.

Berube at the SNO annual meeting

David Berube attended the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) (http://www.susnano.org/) annual meeting in Orlando, Florida on October 10-12, 2016. He delivered a paper as the first speaker of the first panel on November 10, 2016, and spoke about “Reframing Nanotechnology” where he made a case for marketing science in the upcoming decade to meet the contextual interests of both the new administration and the public at large.

RTNN’s Dr. David Berube to serve on FDA’s Risk Communication Advisory Committee

We are excited to announce that RTNN’s Dr. David Berube will serve as a member on the Risk Communication Advisory Committee for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) beginning this October and spanning into the next administration. As a committee member, Dr. Berube will advise the FDA Commissioner on strategies to effectively communicate the risks and benefits of FDA-regulated products to the public. The committee is also tasked with reviewing and evaluating relevant research and facilitating the implementation of public communication programs.