To solve the toughest problems of the modern world we need to bring together people with all kinds of training and experience. At the same time, people find it harder and harder to communicate effectively due to intellectual specialization. Debating Science seeks to remedy this by teaching us all the skills of public discourse over issues in science and technology, by sharing ideas and methods among scientists, philosophers, and humanists.

This year, we will explore the ethical, scientific, and social dimensions of global climate change, biotechnology, and nanotechnology with an intensive summer workshop in Missoula, Montana and a semester-long online discussion course in each of the three topic areas. The course is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, and will offer participants travel support, board, and lodging for the workshop. The workshop features keynote lectures by outstanding leaders in the fields of the philosophy of technology, environmental economics, environmental philosophy and ethics, the policy history of global climate, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.

We are looking for graduate students who are inspired by their own research, but who are also interested in exploring the social, political, and philosophical context of that work, and who are committed to sharing science with nonscientists, in a genuine hope for a better world. (application deadline April 2, 2007)