Science, technology & data

A public dialogue on the governance of research involving stem cell-based embryo models

HVM was commissioned by Cambridge Reproduction and UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) Sciencewise programme to run a public dialogue on the governance of stem cell-based embryo models - a fast-moving area of research involving 3D structures that can model some aspects of early embryo development. For this, we ran a series of online workshops in January 2024 enabling members of the public to discuss the topic alongside scientists, legal experts and ethicists. The subsequent report, 'Addressing the Governance Gap: a public dialogue on the governance of research involving stem cell-based embryo models', shares our findings from these discussions.

The project brought together 38 members of the public who had participated in the HDBI public dialogue on early human embryo research, which HVM ran in 2023, to explore the related topic of embryo models in the context their previous discussions. The dialogue findings will inform the development of a new Code of Practice for embryo model research, which will be published by Cambridge Reproduction's Governance of Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models project in Spring 2024.

The public dialogue on Trust in Digital Identity Services

In 2023, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with the support of Sciencewise, commissioned a public dialogue on trust in digital identity services. The dialogue engaged members of the public in a conversation about the shift to greater use of digital identities, what future opportunities and problems this might present, and how certification, governance, and other mechanisms could be used to ensure digital identity services are trustworthy.

The dialogue was delivered by Hopkins Van Mil and engaged 103 public participants, broadly reflective of the UK adult population, over six workshops between May and June 2023.

The dialogue informed DSIT’s work to set standards for digital identity services in the form of the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework, which includes rules on privacy and data protection, fraud management, cyber and information security, and ensuring that products and services are inclusive. The trust framework will be underpinned by legislation and managed by a governing body to ensure it is kept up to date

Click here for full report

Click here for project films

Click here for full report

Click here for project films

Public dialogue on research involving early human embryos

This public dialogue on early human embryo research was commissioned by the Human Developmental Biology Initiative (HDBI) and co-funded by UKRI Sciencewise. The process brought together a diverse group of the public to consider:

How early human embryo research can be used to its fullest
The 14-day rule
The fast-paced field of stem cell-based embryo models.

The dialogue engaged a group of people broadly reflective of the UK population, as well as those with relevant lived experience. They took part in over 15 hours of activities including a series of online and face-to-face workshops. They received input from scientists, ethicists, philosophers, policy makers and people with lived experience relevant to the research, including of IVF and embryo donation.

As part of the process Paul Wyatt Films created a series of short films which can be accessed via the button under the link to the full report.

Creating resilient and trusted data systems

A public dialogue exploring the views of over 100 participants across the UK on data systems during emergencies and non-emergencies. The dialogue format was chosen to facilitate an immersive and informed discussion, where a full range of viewpoints could be shared, exploring nuanced views, trade-offs and ‘least-regret’ options.

The executive summary of the report is here.

The full findings report is here.

The report appendix is here.