Joy Zhang

Over the past few months, two bilateral academic meetings on engineering biology have been particularly informative and stimulating.

The first was the UK-US Workshop on Bioengineering Solutions for Critical Minerals, held on December 5–6, 2024, at the Earth Galleries of the Natural History Museum in London. The event brought together representatives from the UK Government, the US Department of Energy, the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), UK Research and Innovation, as well as leading figures from academia, national labs, and industry in both countries. The workshop featured a mix of technical presentations and panel discussions. I was delighted to participate in a panel discussion on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) alongside Paul Freemont, chaired by Yoshiko Fujita.

The second was the Japan-UK Meeting on Synthetic Biology, held in Osaka during the first week of February 2025. It was a privilege to spend two days with leading scientists from both countries, exchanging insights on synthetic genomes, cell-free and mammalian synthetic biology, and the control and regulation of genetic networks. I had the opportunity to deliver the concluding talk on the evolving social and regulatory landscape, where I also introduced aspects of our Care-full Synthesis project.

Both events underscored the critical role of international collaboration in science and innovation. However, they also highlighted the need for fresh approaches—not only in biological design but also in governance. I believe there is still much to reconsider about ‘self-governance’ in order to revive or maximise its impact in coordination with other governance mechanisms. Moreover, engaging with diverse publics requires a new language and a new tone, ensuring resonance in the conversation.