ABOUT US
Founded in 2002, CSSC is an independent, non-partisan, organization registered as a private research centre by the Italian  Ministry of University and Research. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, CSSC explores social, cultural and ethical implications of emerging technologies in various fields (e.g., biometrics, privacy, surveillance technologies, disaster prevention and first response,  eInclusion, homeland security). Our track-record of researching, partnering and networking has made us a leading European institution in the area of science and society.

VISION
Technology alleviates the tyranny of human material constitution, its physical limitation, its spatial and temporal constraints, and its limited capacity to perform actions. Yet technology is not only fabricating instruments for a purpose. Human beings are hardly ‘utilitarian machines’, they are rather ‘symbolic machines’. Understanding the implicit assumptions, values and narratives which underlie the emerging of a technology is vital for technology governance and for managing social, ethical and political conflicts raised by technology innovation.

MISSION
Through our activities we translate our vision and values into action. We:

Bring science policies closer to citizens by promoting public awareness of science and  technology and by encouraging open dialogue among citizens and policy makers. Promote international and transnational conversation among institutions, communities, businesses, and NGOs on fundamental rights and values vis-à-vis emerging technologies. Pursue innovative policy solutions to ethical, social and legal conflicts raised by emerging technologies. We encourage horizon thinking, creative problem solving, and win-win solutions

STAFF
CSSC staff comprises a core group based in Rome and an international network of researchers and associate fellows with backgrounds in social science, humanities, law, ICT, medicine and bioscience. Founder and Director of CSSC is Emilio Mordini. A scholar with a proven track record in European research, Emilio was formerly Director of  the Psychoanalytic Institute for Social Research (1986-2001), Professor of Bioethics in the University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1994-2006), Scientific Secretary of the Bioethical Commission of the Italian National Research Council (2000-04). Focusing his efforts on creating an international research centre devoted to ethical, political and social implications of emerging technologies , Emilio  founded CSSC in 2002.

 

• September 14th 2010
  HIDE Focus Group on Technology Convergence
  Paris, FRANCE
  The mission of the HIDE Focus Group on Technology Convergence is to become the preeminent international forum for discussion, analysis, and debate on ethical issues associated with Technology Convergence.
• September 23rd - 24th 2010
  Stakeholder Meeting on Cyber Security
  Brussels, Belgium
  Given the borderless nature of e-systems and the potential impact on financial institutions, industry, governments, and individuals (through identity theft), this workshop will focus on issues of data security/protection. The workshop should also examine, in particular, issues raised with regard to the security/protection of biometric
  databases, around which there is grave concern over the potential for compromise.
• October 8th 2010
  HIDE Focus Group on Embedded Technology
  Maastricht, Netherlands
  The mission of the HIDE Focus Group on Embedded Technology is to become the preeminent international forum for discussion, analysis, and debate on ethical issues associated with Embedded Technology.
• October 21st - 22nd 2010
  RISE PanAsian Conference
  Taipei, Taiwan
  The conference will be open to participants from the Republic of China, but also to Philippines, Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian major countries. The purpose of this event is to follow up the previous Hong Kong conference with a panAsian one that can enlarge the conversation to other regional actors.
• December 8th - 10th 2010
  RISE Stakeholder Conference & HIDE Final Conference
  Brussels, Belgium
  ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE OF BIOMETRICS AND IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES
  European Joint Conference of the HIDE and RISE projects
  
• March 13th - 15th 2011
  INTERNET-BASED INTELLIGENCE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES AND DISEASE OUTBREAK: TECHNICAL, MEDICAL, AND REGULATORY ISSUES
  Haifa, Israel
  A NATO Advanced Research Workshop funded in the scope of the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme
• May 5th - 6th 2011
  RISE Preparatory Meeting for the 4th International Conference
  Washington D.C., USA
  This meeting will focus on the conference agenda and on setting an International Dialogue Initiatives on Ethics and Privacy of Biometrics and Security.