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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)

Modules

• HPSC 2001: Policy Issues in the Life Sciences
• HPSC 2021: Sociology of Science and Technology
• HPSC 3002: Science, Warfare and Peace

Term 2 Office Hours

Monday 15.00-16.00
Thursday 11.00-12.00

2012-13 STS administrative duties

Undergraduate Tutor

Expertise

DPhil and MSc in Science and Technology Policy Studies, University of Sussex.
BA (Hons) Pure & Applied Biology, University of Oxford

For a selection of Dr Balmer's publications click: 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:  military technology and arms limitation - particularly the history of chemical and biological warfare; policies for biotechnology and genetics; the role of volunteers in biomedical research; science policy and the sociology of science.

Research Activities

• History of chemical and biological warfare research and policy in the UK
  (Click here for details of AHRC funded Research Project on the History of the Biological Weapons Convention)
• 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)
• Science policy and the Human Genome Mapping 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:

• Marta Entradas (2011), "Who's for the planets? - An analysis of the 'public for space exploration' and views of practitioners on their 'publics' and public communication" (co-supervised with Steve Miller, STS)
• 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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UCL Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS)
0207 679 1328 office | +44 207 679 1328 international
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