NUCLEUS project welcomes new consortium member: Wellcome Genome Campus in Cambridge
NUCLEUS is a four-year €4 million project investigating how to make Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) a reality in universities and research institutions. The Wellcome Genome Campus will play a vital and active role in the implementation phase of this project, scoping and applying new approaches that facilitate better access between research communities and stakeholders.
The Wellcome Genome Campus is home to some of the world’s foremost institutes and organisations in genomics and computational biology, including the Wellcome Sanger Institute, EMBL-EBI, and also major engagement programmes through Connecting Science. Established 25 years ago to spearhead the UK’s role in the International Human Genome Project, the Campus is founded on principles of openness and sharing of scientific data, which echoes the aims of today’s responsible research and open science agendas.
A principal contribution of the Genome Campus will be to offer coordination and support for three Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) test beds called ‘Embedded Nuclei’. Dr Ken Skeldon, Head of Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement, based within Connecting Science, will lead the mentorship of these three research institutions, two of which are in Germany with the other in China.
This mentorship will focus on practical interventions to better support engagement with stakeholders as part of the research lifecycle. During the project timeline, data will be gathered which will lead to recommendations, which will be shared by policy makers at the European Commission involved in setting open science agendas.
“We are delighted to be part of this exciting Horizon 2020 project to bring responsible research and innovation to life. There are many parallels between what NUCLEUS is trying to achieve and our drive to change the culture of public engagement on our Campus. This project creates great networking opportunities both across Europe and further afield, which will reap benefits for other areas of public engagement work and global reach.”
Dr Ken Skeldon Head of Public Engagement at the Wellcome Genome Campus
“Connecting Science’s mission is to enable everyone to explore genomic science and its impact on research, health and society. Collaboration and innovation is a key part of everything we do, and NUCLEUS is a great example of those principles in action. We are delighted to be part of this consortium.”
Dr Julian Rayner Director of Wellcome Genome Campus Connecting Science
“Genomics is a rich field to catalyse discussion of responsible research and open science in Europe. The translation of basic genomics science into applications requires bio-ethical and socio-economic considerations appropriate to the impact of such game-changing innovations. The Wellcome Genome Campus is well placed to support the embedding of stakeholder involvement in fast-moving, often multidisciplinary, research journeys.”
Professor Alexander Gerber NUCLEUS project lead and Professor of Science Communication at Rhine-Waal University in Germany
More information
Selected websites
NUCLEUS
NUCLEUS is a four-year, Horizon 2020 project investigating how to make Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) a reality in universities and research institutions. What institutional barriers prevent these organisations from engaging with their stakeholders to align research with society’s needs? How can these obstacles be overcome? NUCLEUS will implement new policies and programming in 30 international test sites. www.nucleus-project.eu Twitter: @nucleusRRI
Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement
Through a wide range of projects, activities, visits and events Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement encourages exploration and discussion about genomics, from exciting research findings to the social and ethical questions it can raise. Working together with collaborators in scientific research, the arts and humanities, public engagement and education specialists, and cultural organisations, we aim to share knowledge, spark discussions, and foster a community of engaged researchers. Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement is part of Connecting Science. http://publicengagement.wellcomegenomecampus.org/
Wellcome Genome Campus Connecting Science
Wellcome Genome Campus Connecting Science’s mission is to enable everyone to explore genomic science and its impact on research, health and society. We connect researchers, health professionals and the wider public, creating opportunities and spaces to explore genomic science and its impact on people. Connecting Science inspires new thinking, sparks conversation, supports learning and measures attitudes, drawing on the ground-breaking research taking place on the Wellcome Genome Campus. https://connectingscience.wellcomegenomecampus.org/
Wellcome Sanger Institute
The Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the world's leading genome centres. Through its ability to conduct research at scale, it is able to engage in bold and long-term exploratory projects that are designed to influence and empower medical science globally. Institute research findings, generated through its own research programmes and through its leading role in international consortia, are being used to develop new diagnostics and treatments for human disease. To celebrate its 25th year in 2018, the Institute is sequencing 25 new genomes of species in the UK. Find out more at www.sanger.ac.uk or follow @sangerinstitute
Wellcome
Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. We’re a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. We support scientists and researchers, take on big problems, fuel imaginations and spark debate. https://wellcome.org/
