SEI Training at NNIN

All new NNN users receive training on the social and ethical implications of their work. The training includes a video on SEI issues in nanotechnology research, developed by former NNIN SEI Coordinator Dr. Doug Kysar (Yale Law School), Dr. Ana Viseu (University of Toronto), and Dr. David Guston (Arizona State University).  Dr. Kysar is also the narrator.The video can be viewed here (along with handouts based on the presentation).

Now Dr. Debasmita Patra (NNIN SEI Postdoctoral Associate) has developed an oral presentation, which is delivered by her at the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) user training every Monday. This presentation addresses recent developments in the area of SEI in Nanoscience and nanotechnology and uses examples, short videos, stories, and pictures. This presentation is generally modified after receiving the feedback from the users-scientists and engineers- to make it more user-oriented and need-based. After its initial success at CNF, efforts were made within the NNIN to disseminate this interactive SEI orientation to its other 13 sites. We hosted a one day training workshop on January 22, 2010 at Cornell University. The theme of the training workshop was to build capacity in all the 14 NNIN sites to integrate SEI training into their existing user orientation program in an interactive way. Our main aim behind conducting this workshop were to, (1) bring in all personnel from the 14 sites to a single platform, (2) give them some training by showing them an example (SEI orientation at CNF) and prepare them to discuss SEI with their users, (3) address the interdisciplinary barriers to make laboratory managers comfortable to provide SEI orientation, (4) encourage them to develop their own orientation over a period of time, and (5) make them self-sustainable by encouraging them to make connections with their local SEI expertise and resources. The training workshop had a very positive impact on the participants. As a result of this workshop, 4 of the sites have already started an interactive method of SEI communication. These orientations are often provided by a person from the laboratory and they feel comfortable discussing SEI with their laboratory users. Nine sites were considering starting a face-to-face orientation. Most of the sites have developed the content in collaboration with the local available SEI expertise and resources making the efforts locally self-sustainable.