Prof Dr T. de Cock Bunning
- Special chair of Applied Ethics in Life Sciences
Prof Dr Tjard de Cock Bunning (FALW, Athena Institute) holds the special chair of Applied Ethics in Life Sciences and works in the Department of Biology & Society at the VU University Amsterdam. He studied Biophysics (neurophysiology) and Philosophy. His Cum Laude PhD was in neurosciences.. Before joining the Department of Biology & Society, he became the National coordinator of the first interdisciplinary research program of the Dutch Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO). He is an expert on value dependent drivers and barriers in science-society transitions. Within the department he focuses on areas where biological innovations raise ethical questions and demand adequate government policy. Prof. Dr. de Cock Buning was a member/chair of several governmental commissions (Commissie Biotechnologie bij Dieren-CBD, Comissie Genetische modificatie- COGEM, Centrale Commissie Dierproeven - CCD), advising on social issues dealing with innovation and societal impact such as the biotechnology, animal welfare, nature conservation and corporate social responsibility. In this position he contributed to the structure and content of legislation related to new technologies. Commissioned by the UNEP-GEF he executed a critical evaluation of the implementation of the biosafety regulation on biotechnological seeds in 15 countries. He took part as researcher and facilitator in highly successful TRANSFORUM programme by the ministry of Economics and Agriculture to create niches for public-private innovations in agriculture, developing the Reflective Monitoring and Action approach. His main research interest is in complex science-society problems (wicked problems) and solutions from a system perspective. Currently he is promotor of a Nuffic project on Climate change, food security policies and resilience of farmers in Ethiopia.
Personal home page: http://www.falw.vu.nl/en/research/athena-institute/staff/de-cock-buning.aspx