To commemorate International Human Rights Day, the AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program hosted Amnesty International's annual Global Write-A-Thon on Friday, December 7. In addition to the letters Amnesty International members all over the world wrote that week, this event highlighted human rights concerns for scientists, engineers and health professionals.

For more information on our Human Rights Day events click here.

Judicial Seminar on Emerging Issues in Neuroscience

The Program hosted its 17th judicial seminar on emerging issues in neuroscience in Minneapolis, MN. This project to educate judges on advances in neuroscience has been supported by the Dana Foundation since 2006. This event was not open to the public.

Neuroscience and Society Series

AAAS and the Dana Foundation presented the second event of the Neuroscience and Society Series titled "The Science and Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury"

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) has been the recent focus of many in the neuroscience research community, professional sports world and the military. Speakers at this event discussed the current state of neuroscience research on TBI in the context of sport and combat; the areas of research that seem most promising for preventing and treating TBI; and a personal account of the effects of TBI on U.S. soldiers.

Science and Academic Freedom in the Digital Age

Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor discussed Science and Academic Freedom in the Digital Age.

The movement to protect Internet freedom - the exercise of human rights online - has important implications for the work of scientists and engineers. What are the opportunities for collaboration, and how can developments in Internet policy influence broader science and human rights issues?

Workshop for Human Rights Practitioners

The second in the series of workshops for human rights practitioners focused on "Understanding Environmental Impact Assessments." An evolving understanding of the connections between human rights and the environment has increased the need for human rights researchers and practitioners to use environmental studies in their work. This interactive workshop introduced Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), one of the most common types of environmental studies. When is an EIA required and when is it recommended? What should be included in a comprehensive EIA? What are "accepted standards" in conducting and disseminating an EIA, including consultation with affected communities? What is the connection between an EIA and prior and informed consent? What are the limitations of these studies? Experts in water quality, atmospheric science, and other environmental sciences provided an inside view of the processes used to define and conduct these studies.

Workshop: Scientific Integrity and Research Ethics

AAAS and the China Association for Science & Technology (CAST) jointly convened a workshop on scientific integrity and research ethics in Hangzhou, China.

Science and Human Rights Coalition: Bi-Annual Meeting

The eighth meeting of the Science and Human Rights Coalition focused on the ways human rights intersect with the technological applications of science and engineering. Innovative uses of science and technology are reducing the digital divide, enhancing human rights online, and advancing access to medicines, clean water, education and more. Some of these advances, however, present challenges of professional responsibility for scientists, engineers and health professionals. What are the emerging opportunities to use technology and engineering to address grave human rights concerns? How does the "right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications" help frame these issues? How can educators prepare students to use a human rights-based approach in their work? By exploring these questions, the aim of this meeting was to develop a better shared understanding of ways the scientific and engineering communities can tackle these issues in the future.

Judicial Seminar on Emerging Issues in Neuroscience

The Program to hosted the 16th judicial seminar on emerging issues in neuroscience in New Orleans, LA. This project to educate judges on advances in neuroscience has been supported by the Dana Foundation since 2006. This event was not open to the public.

June 18, 2012:

Workshop: Connecting Science, Engineering, Ethics and Human Rights: Beyond Human Subjects Research

This workshop was organized by the Ethics and Human Rights Working Group of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition.

Engineering For Change: Webinar Series

AAAS and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers co-hosted a webinar titled "Engineering for Human Rights: Opportunities, Risks and Responsibilities." The event was a part of the Engineering For Change webinar series.

Engineers have a tradition of contributing in practical and meaningful ways to development, but seldom within the explicit framework of human rights. This webinar explored what it means to adopt a human rights-based approach to engineering: the roles and responsibilities of engineers when designing and implementing projects, the opportunities to contribute to human rights through research and teaching, and the potential risks that engineering and technology pose to human rights, and how to manage such risks.

Neuroscience and Society Series

AAAS and the Dana Foundation presented the first event of the Neuroscience and Society Series titled "The Aging Brain: What's New in Brain Research, Treatment and Policy?"

As scientists continue to make advances in neuroscience, they are learning more about how the aging brain functions in health and disease.  Speakers at this event discussed what we know at the basic research level; what we still need to determine; how we can apply scientific findings to the clinical setting; and how we must develop humane and effective policies nationwide as our population ages. The progress of this research will touch all of us as we age, become caretakers for family members and  friends, and remain engaged citizens in helping to determine local and national policy.

Workshop for Human Rights Practitioners

This was the first in a series of workshops for human rights practitioners was sponsored by the AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program. The workshop focused on "Designing Surveys and Reporting the Results."

Workshop participants learned how to use surveys and statistical analysis to strengthen their human rights research, monitor progress towards their goals, and evaluate and report on your impact.

Engineering For Change: Connect DC

AAAS co-hosted this networking event with Engineering For Change. The event featured a number of local exhibitors as well as an expert panel of engineers who discussed different applications of engineering for development.

Film Screening: Cracking Your Genetic Code

AAAS sponsored a special advance screening of the NOVA documentary, Cracking Your Genetic Code. The film was a joint venture by WGBH Boston and the Hastings Center.

AAAS Annual Meeting Program Events

Thursday, February 16

Workshop on Responsible Professional Practices in a Changing Research Environment, supported with funding from the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI). The 2012 AAAS Annual Meeting Workshop will have as its theme, "International Research: Moving Towards Best Practices."

Friday, February 17

AAAS Awards Ceremony

Friday, February 17

SRHRL Program Reception

Saturday, February 18

Career Center Presentations

Saturday, February 18

Career Workshop: Scientists and Engineers Working for Human Rights: Approaches to Effective Engagement

Science and Human Rights Coalition: Bi-Annual Meeting

The seventh meeting of the AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition began with an opening plenary by Rebecca Tsosie, Executive Director of the Indian Legal Program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. The meeting continued with working group meetings, training workshops, and panel discussions on human rights issues central to the mission of the Coalition, including: "Research Collaborations with Indigenous Scientists and Communities," "Indigenous People, Human Rights, Science and Technology," and " Benefit Sharing: A Human Rights Approach to Indigenous Knowledge. The Coalition meeting will conclude with a reception, followed by an evening panel on "Indigenous Voices in Scientific Debate: Human Rights, the Environment and Climate Change."