Policy and Practices
From 2014.igem.org
What is "Policy & Practices"?
"Policy & Practices is the study of how your work affects the world, and how the world affects your work."
— Peter Carr, Director of Judging
(Note: difference between P&P track and P&P component of all projects)
Suggested Topic Areas
Assessing Your Project
Risk Assessment
How might your project affect the health of humans or the environment? If it is a Health & Medicine project, will it be safe for patients, and will it have side effects? If it is an Environment project, will it affect biodiversity?
Consult with experts and consider the potential risks of your project. Think about how to address and minimize those risks.
Feasibility Assessment
Consider the economics of your project. How does it compare to competing technologies and methods for accomplishing the same goal? Is it possible to manufacture and sell your product at a price that your users are willing to pay? Who might lose their job -- or gain a new job -- as a result of your project?
End-User Considerations
How will people actually use your project? How will it be delivered (as a pill, as an environmental monitoring station, as a garden spray, as an industrial/factory process)? What should it cost? How quickly must it operate? How should users safely dispose of your product, once they are finished using it?
Approach some potential end-users of your project and find out about their daily lives. Examine how your project might fit into their daily routines, or how it might change their daily routines.
Helping the Practice of Science and Engineering
Safety
Security
Philosophy
Public Engagement
Education
Public Outreach & Dialogue
Ethics
Exemplary Past Projects
Tips & Tricks
Where can I start?
Seeking Expert Consultations
Who is the Policy & Practices Track Committee?
- Megan Palmer (co-chair)
- Emma Frow (co-chair)
- Laura Adam
- Nancy Burgess
- Jane Calvert
- Linda Kahl
- Todd Kuiken
- David Lloyd
- Ken Oye
- Piers Millet
- Samuel Yu
- Scott Edmunds
- Tim Trevan
- (others TBA)