| Communications and Development |  |
Published by Communications and Development
Canterbury University science educator Dr Lindsey Conner (Sciences and Physical Education) has been invited to be a visiting academic at the Institute of Education, at the University of London, later this year.
Dr Conner will give a seminar to academics at the institute on current trends in teacher education in New Zealand, as well as presenting her work in the specialist field of bioethics education.
During her two-month visit in August and September, Dr Conner, who is on study leave during 2008, will have her accommodation and bench fees paid by her host. She hopes to liaise with many other science educators at the institute, but will principally work with Professor Ralph Levinson whose research interests mirror her own.
Dr Conner’s strong interest in bioethics and social issues associated with science education has led to her work on national and international contracts, including for the New Zealand Bioethics Council and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Social and Human Sciences for Asia and the Pacific unit, which support educators in developmental work in socio-science areas.
Bioethics involves the consideration of ethical issues associated with new biotechnologies, medical interventions and environmental solutions.
“The work I have been doing over the last two to three years has been connected with UNESCO’s drive internationally — but my work has been in the Asia-Pacific region more specifically — looking at how schools and universities can incorporate bioethics education into courses and programmes,” Dr Conner said.
In 2006 she had six invited international speaking engagements funded by UNESCO and associated institutions — in Pakistan, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Korea and Mexico — to talk about the background to designing and implementing bioethics programmes, and last year she had a couple of visits to Indonesia.
“UNESCO got involved because in many Third World countries students often receive very little ethics education. There are more and more uses of technology that can affect people’s future well-being. We need to provide ways for the ethical issues to be discussed and valued along with the knowledge about the technologies and potential uses so that people are aware of the choices and the implications of decisions.”
While in the northern hemisphere for the fellowship, Dr Conner also hopes to be able to attend the British Educational Research Association (BERA) conference in Edinburgh in early September, a major conference which attracts about 4000 delegates.
For further information please contact:
Maria De Cort
Communications Officer
University of Canterbury
Ph (03) 364 2987 ext 6072
maria.decort@canterbury.ac.nz