Keynoting at CERN: Synthetic Genomics and Shared Futures
When I was little, I had many wild dreams. But I can honestly say I never imagined that one day I’d be giving a keynote at CERN. Sheldon Cooper must be very jealous. Yet there I was at the 2025 Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit, dedicated to exploring ‘The Age of Possibility: Science, Sovereignty, and Shared … Continue reading
A New Odyssey for Public Engagement
Last week, the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice (GSEJ) hosted ‘A New Odyssey for Public Engagement‘ at the British Academy. This small, invitation-only event brought together leading thinkers, science diplomacy experts, and scientists from four continents to explore how the O.D.E.SS.I. framework — Open, Deliberative, Enabling, Sensible and Sensitive, Innovative — can guide global practices of public dialogue on … Continue reading
Engineering and Safeguarding Synthetic Life
I greatly appreciated the thoughtful discussions at the Technical Workshop on Mirror Life (a report will follow soon). It was also a real pleasure to chair the half-day open panel on Safeguarding Synthetic Life at the Engineering and Safeguarding Synthetic Life 2025 conference. Working with such an interdisciplinary panel—Sophie Gilbert, David Relman, Laurie Zoloth, and James Smith, with additional contributions from John Glass and Hiroaki … Continue reading
Modernities, Global Governance, and the Commons
The question of how multiple modernities can be translated into coordinated forms of global governance remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. For decades, sociologists have emphasised the ‘variety of modernities’—the recognition that different societies chart their own paths of development, shaped by histories, values, and social institutions. Yet, as science and … Continue reading
ISA Forum in Rabat
Like many others, I had a wonderful week in Rabat attending the International Sociological Association (ISA) Forum. This time, I was there in my capacity as a member of the ISA’s Publications Committee, and as editor of both the Current Sociology Monographs and the SAGE Studies in International Sociology (SSIS) book series. I always enjoy conversations with fellow members of the Publications Committee … Continue reading
Mirror Life
I was delighted to attend the Paris Conference on Risks from Mirror Life, held 12–13 June 2025 at the iconic Institut Pasteur. This event—featuring a public symposium and expert workshops—was the first in a global series to explore the potential benefits and profound risks of mirror biology, where biomolecules are inverted in handedness relative to natural life. … Continue reading
ARIA Summit and Project Kick-off
May was a milestone month as we officially set Futuring Biological Commons—our ARIA-funded project—into motion. The turnaround for postdoc recruitment was incredibly tight, but we were so lucky to have a fantastic group of candidates apply. The interviews were full-on, but genuinely such a pleasure. I’m absolutely thrilled that Oliver and Matthew will be joining the … Continue reading
DSIT–KCL Horizon-Scanning on Cyberbiosecurity
I was delighted to be invited to take part in a recent horizon-scanning workshop co-hosted by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and King’s College London. The event focused on a timely question: What cybersecurity protections, mitigations, and solutions should be considered to address emerging risks associated with the exploitation of common engineering … Continue reading
GESDA’s Anticipation Workshop on Planetarized Humanity
In late March, I had the pleasure of participating in GESDA’s Third Villars Anticipation Workshop, Planetarized Humanity: Rethinking Identity, Society, and Governance in a Technology-Driven World. Set in the stunning alpine village of Villars, Switzerland, the workshop brought together an interdisciplinary group to reflect on how emerging technologies—especially AI—might reshape our societies and our sense … Continue reading
UN CSW69 Parallel Event: Feminist Approaches to Justice
It was a tremendous honour to open one of the ‘Feminist Approaches to Justice’ series this March, held in conjunction with the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). I attended the event as a member of the International Sociological Association (ISA) Publication Committee and as editor of special … Continue reading
Joy Zhang 