Richard Milne
@rjmilne.bsky.social
Sociologist working on the social and ethical implications of new technologies in the life sciences, particularly in genomics and data science @randeurope and @uniofcambridge
Header: Jamillah Knowles / Better Images of AI / Data People / CC-BY 4.0
Header: Jamillah Knowles / Better Images of AI / Data People / CC-BY 4.0
Reposted by Richard Milne
Our chapter on ‘Fabricating mice and dementia: opening up relations in multi-species research’ is now OA. @richgorman.bsky.social, Richard Milne and I explore the ways patient data, animal models and plaque concepts are woven together in making dementia www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK615...
Fabricating mice and dementia: opening up relations in multi-species research
This chapter was written during a moment of flux in the unravelling of the plaques, tangles, and tales that characterise over thirty years of research for treatments of dementia involving humans and a...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
July 24, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Our chapter on ‘Fabricating mice and dementia: opening up relations in multi-species research’ is now OA. @richgorman.bsky.social, Richard Milne and I explore the ways patient data, animal models and plaque concepts are woven together in making dementia www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK615...
Reposted by Richard Milne
Calling all researchers and public engagement professionals: we want to find out the factors affecting public engagement in 2025, including opportunities, risks and barriers. Help shape the future of public engagement with STEM by taking our survey: www.research.net/r/RS_public_...
Factors Affecting Public Engagement by UK Researchers 2025
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com
May 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Calling all researchers and public engagement professionals: we want to find out the factors affecting public engagement in 2025, including opportunities, risks and barriers. Help shape the future of public engagement with STEM by taking our survey: www.research.net/r/RS_public_...
The piece is more thoughtful about listening to (rather than just convincing) the public than the title suggests, and the Brexit effect on scientists' views of public engagement that it describes is definitely something I've seen in other areas www.science.org/content/arti...
Geoengineering could fight climate change—if the public can be convinced
Researchers’ failures to communicate are jeopardizing even basic tests, but new projects may point the way forward
www.science.org
April 4, 2025 at 10:45 AM
The piece is more thoughtful about listening to (rather than just convincing) the public than the title suggests, and the Brexit effect on scientists' views of public engagement that it describes is definitely something I've seen in other areas www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Richard Milne
💡 Spark new thinking to shape the future of #SciencePolicy!
Applications are open for our #SciPol25 workshop.
📅18-20 August
We invite researchers and policymakers to share perspectives on best practices for improving the uptake of #research into UK science policy
📩Apply by 3 June
➡️ bit.ly/41GxNmG
Applications are open for our #SciPol25 workshop.
📅18-20 August
We invite researchers and policymakers to share perspectives on best practices for improving the uptake of #research into UK science policy
📩Apply by 3 June
➡️ bit.ly/41GxNmG
April 1, 2025 at 6:51 AM
💡 Spark new thinking to shape the future of #SciencePolicy!
Applications are open for our #SciPol25 workshop.
📅18-20 August
We invite researchers and policymakers to share perspectives on best practices for improving the uptake of #research into UK science policy
📩Apply by 3 June
➡️ bit.ly/41GxNmG
Applications are open for our #SciPol25 workshop.
📅18-20 August
We invite researchers and policymakers to share perspectives on best practices for improving the uptake of #research into UK science policy
📩Apply by 3 June
➡️ bit.ly/41GxNmG
Reposted by Richard Milne
Introducing ‘trust cues’ – new #scicomm research paper by Justin Schröder, Janise Brück & Lars Guenther to identify trust cues in media content – see doi.org/10.22323/2.2...
Identifying trust cues: how trust in science is mediated in content about science
Most public audiences in Germany receive scientific information via a variety of (digital) media; in these contexts, media act as intermediaries of trust in science by providing information that prese...
doi.org
March 25, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Introducing ‘trust cues’ – new #scicomm research paper by Justin Schröder, Janise Brück & Lars Guenther to identify trust cues in media content – see doi.org/10.22323/2.2...
Reposted by Richard Milne
23andMe’s bankruptcy is the worst thing that could happen to just about everyone involved
23andMe’s bankruptcy is the worst thing that could happen to just about everyone involved
The genetics company's bankruptcy is bad for co-founder Anne Wojcicki and shareholders. But customers whose data may not be protected are worst off.
buff.ly
March 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
23andMe’s bankruptcy is the worst thing that could happen to just about everyone involved
Reposted by Richard Milne
Digital Sequence Information (DSI) has transformed biological research, allowing scientists to find genetic tools online without physically collecting specimens. But this creates a legal gray area around benefit-sharing and ownership.
In Digital Genetic Data, An Uncertainty Over Ownership
Digital sequence information has radically changed the way researchers look at the world’s genetic resources.
undark.org
March 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Digital Sequence Information (DSI) has transformed biological research, allowing scientists to find genetic tools online without physically collecting specimens. But this creates a legal gray area around benefit-sharing and ownership.
Reposted by Richard Milne
#OnThisDay in 1953, the structure of DNA was discovered – the double helix 🧬
Our understanding has grown exponentially since then, here are a few interesting things we’ve learnt along the way ⤵️
sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/s...
Our understanding has grown exponentially since then, here are a few interesting things we’ve learnt along the way ⤵️
sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/s...
Six unbelievable things you probably didn’t know about DNA - Wellcome Sanger Institute Blog
Explore the surprising secrets of DNA, genes and genomes.
sangerinstitute.blog
February 28, 2025 at 2:46 PM
#OnThisDay in 1953, the structure of DNA was discovered – the double helix 🧬
Our understanding has grown exponentially since then, here are a few interesting things we’ve learnt along the way ⤵️
sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/s...
Our understanding has grown exponentially since then, here are a few interesting things we’ve learnt along the way ⤵️
sangerinstitute.blog/2022/05/17/s...
A question posed in every media since cave painting
February 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A question posed in every media since cave painting
Trust and public engagement in engineering biology www.engbio.cam.ac.uk/news/enginee...
Engineering Biology and the Public: Navigating Engagement and Trust | Engineering Biology in Cambridge
Dr Richard Milne, Head of Research and Dialogue at Wellcome Connecting Science, shares with us his thoughts on engineering biology and the importance of engaging the public in meaningful conversations...
www.engbio.cam.ac.uk
February 18, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Trust and public engagement in engineering biology www.engbio.cam.ac.uk/news/enginee...
Nice piece from @mikeinouye.bsky.social and @katholt.bsky.social on how decisions about data sharing "answer fundamental questions, such as: what do we want science to look like" www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Genomic data sharing: you don’t know what you’ve got (till it’s gone) - Nature Reviews Genetics
Reflecting on the core values of early data sharing agreements, the Bermuda Principles and the Fort Lauderdale Agreement, Kathryn E. Holt and Michael Inouye emphasize the need to reaffirm our commitme...
www.nature.com
February 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Nice piece from @mikeinouye.bsky.social and @katholt.bsky.social on how decisions about data sharing "answer fundamental questions, such as: what do we want science to look like" www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Richard Milne
It's all gone pear-shaped at 23andMe. Which is not a bad thing, given the misleading view of genetics that it encouraged. As Diana's article mentions, just telling people they carry a risk variant can be very problematic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What went wrong at 23andMe? Why the genetic-data giant risks collapse
At-home DNA testing is no longer in high demand — and critics have raised concerns about unreliable tests and privacy.
www.nature.com
February 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It's all gone pear-shaped at 23andMe. Which is not a bad thing, given the misleading view of genetics that it encouraged. As Diana's article mentions, just telling people they carry a risk variant can be very problematic.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Richard Milne
I guess we can't even look up genes at NCBI any more
February 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
I guess we can't even look up genes at NCBI any more
Reposted by Richard Milne
🔎 #𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 #𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁?
@rjmilne.bsky.social and @jonathanrgoodman.bsky.social explore the challenges in demonstrating trustworthiness in this @uk.theconversation.com article.
🔗 cstu.io/a01e19
@sangerinstitute.bsky.social @connectingscience.bsky.social 🧬🧪🔬
@rjmilne.bsky.social and @jonathanrgoodman.bsky.social explore the challenges in demonstrating trustworthiness in this @uk.theconversation.com article.
🔗 cstu.io/a01e19
@sangerinstitute.bsky.social @connectingscience.bsky.social 🧬🧪🔬
Government needs to show that its AI plan can be trusted to deal with serious risks when it comes to health data
The use of patient data has been controversial in the past.
theconversation.com
February 4, 2025 at 2:20 PM
🔎 #𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 #𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁?
@rjmilne.bsky.social and @jonathanrgoodman.bsky.social explore the challenges in demonstrating trustworthiness in this @uk.theconversation.com article.
🔗 cstu.io/a01e19
@sangerinstitute.bsky.social @connectingscience.bsky.social 🧬🧪🔬
@rjmilne.bsky.social and @jonathanrgoodman.bsky.social explore the challenges in demonstrating trustworthiness in this @uk.theconversation.com article.
🔗 cstu.io/a01e19
@sangerinstitute.bsky.social @connectingscience.bsky.social 🧬🧪🔬
Reposted by Richard Milne
In an article for @uk.theconversation.com, @rjmilne.bsky.social and I argue that while the UK's plan to foster innovation through AI is ambitious, it will rely on public trust for success.
Yet anyone can claim to be trustworthy: how do we tell who actually is?
theconversation.com/government-n...
Yet anyone can claim to be trustworthy: how do we tell who actually is?
theconversation.com/government-n...
Government needs to show that its AI plan can be trusted to deal with serious risks when it comes to health data
The use of patient data has been controversial in the past.
theconversation.com
February 4, 2025 at 9:38 AM
In an article for @uk.theconversation.com, @rjmilne.bsky.social and I argue that while the UK's plan to foster innovation through AI is ambitious, it will rely on public trust for success.
Yet anyone can claim to be trustworthy: how do we tell who actually is?
theconversation.com/government-n...
Yet anyone can claim to be trustworthy: how do we tell who actually is?
theconversation.com/government-n...
"The Devastating Legacy of Lies in Alzheimer’s Science" from @charlespiller.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/o...
Opinion | The Long Shadow of Fraud in Alzheimer’s Research (Gift Article)
Fraud in research needs to end.
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
"The Devastating Legacy of Lies in Alzheimer’s Science" from @charlespiller.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/o...
Reposted by Richard Milne
This book on multi species dementia is out at the end of this month, featuring me, @rjmilne.bsky.social and @richgorman.bsky.social reflecting on what is modelled in mouse models of #dementia and how this is made sense of by patients in #PPI policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/multi-specie...
Multi-Species Dementia Studies
Multi-Species Dementia Studies - Towards an Interdisciplinary Approach; This edited book explores multi-species approaches to dementia care. Drawing on work linking social and veterinary sciences, it ...
policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk
January 23, 2025 at 8:28 AM
This book on multi species dementia is out at the end of this month, featuring me, @rjmilne.bsky.social and @richgorman.bsky.social reflecting on what is modelled in mouse models of #dementia and how this is made sense of by patients in #PPI policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/multi-specie...
Reposted by Richard Milne
Out now in Nature Human Behaviour: Our 68-country #survey on public attitudes to #science 📣
It shows: People still #trust scientists and support an active role of scientists in society and policy-making. #OpenAccess available here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @natureportfolio.bsky.social
(1/13)
It shows: People still #trust scientists and support an active role of scientists in society and policy-making. #OpenAccess available here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @natureportfolio.bsky.social
(1/13)
January 20, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Out now in Nature Human Behaviour: Our 68-country #survey on public attitudes to #science 📣
It shows: People still #trust scientists and support an active role of scientists in society and policy-making. #OpenAccess available here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @natureportfolio.bsky.social
(1/13)
It shows: People still #trust scientists and support an active role of scientists in society and policy-making. #OpenAccess available here: www.nature.com/articles/s41... @natureportfolio.bsky.social
(1/13)
Reposted by Richard Milne
I have a post-doc position to study the effect of AI on education.
How can we ensure that AI tools enhance natural intelligence?
The position is a part of the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
Please repost - not easy to get people to work in Estonia 🥶
#edusky #neuroAI
How can we ensure that AI tools enhance natural intelligence?
The position is a part of the Estonian Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
Please repost - not easy to get people to work in Estonia 🥶
#edusky #neuroAI
January 13, 2025 at 12:19 PM
In the REWS group of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health we have coordinated a series of briefs on public attitudes to genomic data sharing. The latest looks at public perceptions of international genetic information sharing for biomedical research in China www.ga4gh.org/news_item/pu...
January 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
In the REWS group of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health we have coordinated a series of briefs on public attitudes to genomic data sharing. The latest looks at public perceptions of international genetic information sharing for biomedical research in China www.ga4gh.org/news_item/pu...
www.nature.com/articles/d41... new frontiers in discussions about hhge - editing for polygenic risk
We need to talk about human genome editing
In a few decades, gene-editing technologies could reduce the likelihood of common human diseases. Societies must use this time to prepare for their arrival.
www.nature.com
January 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
www.nature.com/articles/d41... new frontiers in discussions about hhge - editing for polygenic risk
Great to see this out!
𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 @bmj.com: Challenges associated with the development of “trial ready cohorts” for dementia prevention trials.
🔗Read the article by our Head of Research and Dialogue
@rjmilne.bsky.social and collaborators: cstu.io/ee88a7
#Ethics #Genomics #Dementia #ClinicalTrials
🔗Read the article by our Head of Research and Dialogue
@rjmilne.bsky.social and collaborators: cstu.io/ee88a7
#Ethics #Genomics #Dementia #ClinicalTrials
January 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Great to see this out!
Reposted by Richard Milne
🚨 My team is hiring an undergraduate intern (UK universities only) - a great opportunity, if I can say so myself!
Please share widely.
Want more info? See here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Please share widely.
Want more info? See here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
January 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
🚨 My team is hiring an undergraduate intern (UK universities only) - a great opportunity, if I can say so myself!
Please share widely.
Want more info? See here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Please share widely.
Want more info? See here: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
Reposted by Richard Milne
In my latest column for @theneweuropean.bsky.social I write about the perils of polygenic embryo screening and what it might have meant for Beethoven (seriously).
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/critical-mas...
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/critical-mas...
Critical mass: What can Beethoven teach us about genetics?
The great German composer’s genetic makeup illustrates the dangers of polygenic screening
www.theneweuropean.co.uk
January 8, 2025 at 10:19 AM
In my latest column for @theneweuropean.bsky.social I write about the perils of polygenic embryo screening and what it might have meant for Beethoven (seriously).
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/critical-mas...
www.theneweuropean.co.uk/critical-mas...
Reposted by Richard Milne
In a new paper following a presentation at this year's Data for Policy conference, @rjmilne.bsky.social and I draw on interdisciplinary studies of social trust and behavioural ecology to propose a solution to what we call the trustworthiness recognition problem:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
🧪
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
🧪
Signalling and rich trustworthiness in data-driven healthcare: an interdisciplinary approach | Data & Policy | Cambridge Core
Signalling and rich trustworthiness in data-driven healthcare: an interdisciplinary approach - Volume 6
www.cambridge.org
December 2, 2024 at 4:29 PM
In a new paper following a presentation at this year's Data for Policy conference, @rjmilne.bsky.social and I draw on interdisciplinary studies of social trust and behavioural ecology to propose a solution to what we call the trustworthiness recognition problem:
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
🧪
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
🧪