ELSA Summer School on Engineered Living Materials

Dr. Luca Consoli is an ethicist and interdisciplinary scholar whose research addresses scientific integrity, virtue ethics, responsible research, and the societal role of science. Originally trained in theoretical physics, he subsequently specialized in science ethics and science-society relations. As Director of Radboud University’s Institute for Inter- and Transdisciplinary Education, he promotes collaborative approaches to addressing complex societal challenges through education and research. 

Prof. Dr. Patricia Osseweijer led the Biotechnology and Society section at TU Delft. Her work bridges biotechnology, sustainability, ethics, science communication, and stakeholder engagement. She is internationally recognized for her contributions to the development of sustainable bio-based economies and circular production systems, focusing on the integration of technological innovation with societal values, public trust, and responsible governance.

Hub Zwart is a Dutch philosopher whose work has been instrumental in shaping the field of philosophy of the life sciences and the societal embedding of emerging biotechnologies. He served as Dean of the Erasmus School of Philosophy, having previously been Professor of Philosophy at the Faculty of Science at Radboud University, where he founded the Institute for Science in Society (ISiS).

Throughout his career, Zwart has published extensively on bioethics, philosophy of technology, genomics, synthetic biology and the relationship between science and society. A major contribution to the governance of emerging life sciences was his role as Scientific Director of the Centre for Society and Genomics (2004–2013), established under the Netherlands Genomics Initiative. In this capacity, Zwart played a leading role in conceptualising and advancing the ELSA (Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects) genomics approach.

Rather than treating ethics and social research as an afterthought, he advocated their close integration with genomics research from the outset, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration between life scientists, philosophers, social scientists and other stakeholders. This convergence-oriented model became highly influential in Dutch and European research policy and helped lay the foundations for later approaches such as Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

Dr. Amalia Kallergi investigates the ethical and societal dimensions of the life sciences and emerging biotechnologies. Her research focuses on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), Safe-by-Design approaches, public engagement, trust in science, and the integration of societal values into innovation processes. She is particularly interested in creative forms of science communication, including bioart, gaming, and citizen engagement. 

Dr. Martina Baumann is an applied ethicist working at the intersection of technology assessment, health innovation, and responsible research. Her expertise includes synthetic biology, neurotechnology, health technology assessment, and emerging biomedical technologies. Her work explores how ethical reflection can be integrated into innovation processes to support socially responsible technological development.

Prof. Nikolaj Gadegaard is an internationally recognized biomedical engineer working at the interface of nanotechnology, materials science, and life sciences. His research focuses on micro- and nanofabrication technologies for biomedical applications, including biomaterials, stem-cell engineering, tissue engineering, and nanostructured surfaces. He currently serves as a leading researcher in biomedical engineering and translational nanotechnology. 

Dr. Heidi Beate Bentzen is a legal scholar specializing in health law, medical ethics, data governance, privacy, and emerging life-science technologies. Her research focuses on the ethical and legal dimensions of genomics, precision medicine, health data sharing, and data protection. She has contributed significantly to European discussions on responsible health data use and governance in biomedical research.