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Balmer, Brian

Dr Brian Balmer is Reader in Science Policy Studies.

> b.balmer@ucl.ac.uk
> 020 7679 3924
> 22 Gordon Square, room 2.2
> recent publications (UCL database)

In 2011-12, Dr Balmer will be on sabbatical. He is best contacted via e-mail.

Modules

• HPSC 1004: Introduction to Science Policy Studies
• HPSC 2001: Policy Issues in the Life Sciences
• HPSC 3002: Science, Warfare and Peace

2011-12 STS administrative duties

• sabbatical

Expertise

DPhil and MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies, University of Sussex.

A selection of Dr Balmer's publications is here.

My research interests focus on the nature of scientific expertise, and the role of experts in science policy formation, particularly within the life sciences. My specific interests combine historical and sociological approaches and include: policies for biotechnology and genetics; military technology and arms limitation - particularly the history of chemical and biological warfare; the role of volunteers in biomedical research; science policy and the sociology of science.

Research Activities

The control of biological weapons, the role of volunteers in biomedical research, the sociology of science, and policies for biotechnology and genetics:

• Science policy and the Human Genome Mapping Project
• History of chemical and biological warfare research and policy in the UK
• The subject-researcher relationship in biomedical research
  (Click here for details of ESRC funded Research Project)
• The history of the 'brain drain' debate in the UK (Click here for details of ESRC funded Research Project)

PhD Supervision

I have supervised a range of PhD students on topics related to science policy and sociology of science. This is a list of completed PhDs that I have supervised:

• Aicardi, Christine (2010). "Harnessing non-modernity: A case study in Artificial Life" (supervised with Joe Cain, STS)
• Milne, Richard (2009) "No natural home": Placing the promise of biopharming (supervised with Gail Davies, Geography)
• Riesch, Hauke (2008) Scientists' views on the scientific method (supervised with Hasok Chang, STS)
• Washer, Peter (2006) Representations of newly emerging and re-emerging diseases (supervised with Helene Joffe, Psychology)
• Stilgoe, Jack (2004) Mobile health risks: attempting a sociology of public science (supervised with Jon Turney, STS)
• Doubleday, Rob (2003) Corporate uses of "transparency" in GM food controversies (supervised with Gail Davies, Geography)
• Jane Calvert (2001) Goodbye blue skies? The concept of ‘basic research’ and its role in a changing funding environment (supervised with Ben Martin, SPRU)
• Hedgecoe, Adam (2000) Narratives of geneticization: cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and schizophrenia (supervised with Jon Turney, STS)

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Department of Science and Technology Studies, UCL
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