Call For Papers

Pratt School of Engineering Offers $1,000 for Winning Nanoscience Ethics Essay

The Pratt School of Engineering calls for essays from interested Ph.D. students addressing ethical issues in nanoscale research. As an emerging technology, nanoscience presents a fertile ground for investigation into key questions of research ethics. Current Ph.D. students will be the vanguard of the next generation of nanoscience researchers, and it is imperative that they develop the skills to understand and address the ethics involved with their work.

The essay contest will be evaluated by Duke University faculty. A $1,000 prize will be awarded for first place; $500 is offered for second place. (Equipment funds may be substituted for cash payment if a winner is subject to an NSF stipend cap.) Essays may address any topic relating to the ethics of nanoscience , but students are encouraged to develop themes from their own research. The essay should be no longer than 2,500 words, and it will be judged by the following criteria:

- Importance (technological and ethical)

- Relevance

- Currency

- Completeness of Argument

- Creativity

- Writing Competence (clarity of statement, style, etc.)

Winning essays will be presented at a special ethics teaching dinner.

Entries should be submitted no later than 10/01/2006 to Dan Vallero (daniel.vallero@duke.edu)

For Further Reference:

Dan Vallero, Ph.D. Call for Papers: Nanoscience Ethics (.doc)

James B. Bassingthwaighte, Ph.D. The Physiome Project: The Macroethics of Engineering toward Health (.doc)