OWNS Programme

1A: Introduction to Neuroethics

What is Neuroethics? What do Neuroethicists do?

1B: Neuroethics Careers in Academia and Industry

How can I become a professional Neuroethics researcher and what career routes are available to Neuroethicists? If I want to work in academia, how can I secure a research position and / or research funding? Outside academia, where can I find roles within industry? What consultancy opportunities are there for people trained in Neuroethics research?

2A: Thinking Through Problems in Neuroethics

What is an argument? How do we spot errors in reasoning so we can distinguish between good arguments and bad arguments?

2B: Normative and Philosophical Analysis in Neuroethics

What is normative, philosophical analysis? How can it help you to resolve neuroethical dilemmas or problems? How do different viewpoints on real-world problems and dilemmas relate more broadly to different ethical theories? Why is this important for analysing empirical data?

3A: Empirical Methods in Neuroethics

What are the most up to date research methods in Neuroethics and how do you select the right one for your research questions? How do you design your own research project in Neuroethics and you apply the right empirical methodology to your project? How is normative and philosophical analysis applied to your empirical data to produce conclusions in ethics?

3B: Citizen Science, and Participatory Neuroethics

Why should we involve the public in Neuroethics research? How can we work with key stakeholders to design studies, and make them fundamental parts of our projects? What kind of approaches to co-production are relevant to Neuroethics research?

4A: Clinical Neuroethics

What does Neuroethics mean in clinical practice? How can training in Neuroethics help when applied in this way?

4B: Multi-, Inter-, and Transdisciplinary Neuroethics

What is the difference between Multi-, Inter-, and Transdisciplinary Neuroethics? What makes Neuroethics such an interdisciplinary field?  How do different methods work together? Which methodological skills are necessary for a Neuroethics project, or a career in the field?

5A: Publishing in Neuroethics and Influencing Policy

What is the best way to get my research published and which journals should I choose? How can I maximise the policy impact of my research and what routes are there for influencing policy development?

5B: Writing Grants + Summary and Q&A

Why is the summative assignment to write a grant proposal? What makes a good grant proposal in neuroethics? What should you think about when writing one? How will the assignments be evaluated?

Evening: Public Lecture

Followed by a public drinks reception, and dinner with the speaker (only for course participants).

AM: Registrations, networking, meeting participants

PM: Presentations Session 1

In the afternoon, the first session of research proposal presentations will take place. These will give participants an opportunity to present their assessed assignments to fellow participants, and to receive feedback from OWNS lecturers.

This session will finish slightly late, to allow for the networking lunch and for participants to meet ahead of the presentations session.

Evening Programme

The first day’s presentations will be followed by a seated dinner and drinks in Oxford, providing a further opportunity for the participants to socialise, network, and establish contacts with peers and leaders in Neuroethics research.

AM & PM: Presentations Sessions 2 & 3

There will be a morning and an afternoon session of presentations, followed by a short summary and information slot, where the OWNS leadership team will relay information relevant to summative assignments and course participation certificates. Finally, the day will end with the presentation of the OWNS Best Proposal Award and the announcement of Pump Priming Grant competition details.