The 2015 Society for the Study of Nanoscience and Emerging Technologies Conference took place in Montreal, Quebec from October 18-21. The conference attracted national and international scholars, scientists, engineers, government and other industry leaders interested in the promotion of responsible awareness, insight, discussion and inquiry of and into the advancement of nanoscience and emerging technologies in society. The main theme of the 2015 conference was the evaluation of existing and necessary frameworks for the assessment and effective oversight of new technologies.
Several ASU representatives were in attendance including Center faculty Diana Bowman and Yvonne Stevens. Professor Bowman’s colleague and co-author, Clare Shelley-Egan, discussed The Challenge of Distributing Regulatory Responsibilities for Unknown Risks: ‘Nano’-Cosmetics and the EU Cosmetics Regulation as a Case Study, highlighting the status and shortcomings of the EU nano-cosmetics labeling initiative, which puts the burden on the consumer to assess and determine what nano-ingredient disclosure means. Their presentation is available here: SNET – Bowman/Shelley-Egan
Yvonne Stevens presented on Technological Unemployment, Innovation & Jobs, providing insight into the background of the concept and current views on the status of the theory. She also discussed whether this truly is a unique moment in the history of society and suggested solutions to the global concern, including the formation of a new social contract. Her presentation is available here: SNET – Yvonne Stevens.