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Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies

ESDiT is a 10-year long international research programme of 7 academic institutions. We work on breakthrough research at the intersections of ethics, philosophy, technology, engineering and social sciences.

What We DoWho We Are

Our 3 Focal Points

New digital technologies

robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), big data, blockchain, social media, and quantum computing

Bio- and brain technologies

gene editing, gene drives, synthetic biology, neurotechnology, advanced medical and food technologies, and technologies for human enhancement

Environmental & sustainable technologies

energy technologies, water technologies, recycling and other technologies for the circular economy, climate engineering, and bio-based and low-carbon technologies

Collaboration &
Knowledge exchange

The ESDiT programme is open to collaboration with other academic researchers, technology developers, policy makers & civil society organizations. We share relevant information and research results with media, education  & general public stakeholders.

ESDiT Research Lines

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Our Latest Publications

The latest publications by ESDiT researchers:

Technosocial disruption, enactivism, & social media: On the overlooked risks of teenage cancel culture

van Grunsven, Janna; Marin, Lavinia

Technosocial disruption, enactivism, & social media: On the overlooked risks of teenage cancel culture Journal Article

In: Technology in Society, vol. 78, pp. 102602, 2024, ISSN: 0160-791X.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Viewpoint: Hybrid Intelligence Supports Application Development for Diabetes Lifestyle Management

Dudzik, Bernd J. W.; van der Waa, Jasper S.; Chen, Pei-Yu; Dobbe, Roel; de Troya, Inago M. D. R.; Bakker, Roos M.; de Boer, Maaike H. T.; Erdogan, Emre; Yolum, Pinar; Wang, Shihan; Santamaria, Selene Baez; Krause, Lea; Kamphorst, Bart

Viewpoint: Hybrid Intelligence Supports Application Development for Diabetes Lifestyle Management Journal Article

In: JAIR – Journal for Artificial Intelligence Research, vol. 80, 2024.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Latest News & Media appearances

News from the ESDIT programme + media appearances by our researchers:

Prof. Vincent Blok appointed as professor of Philosophy of Data Science and AI at the Erasmus School of Philosophy

Prof. Vincent Blok appointed as professor of Philosophy of Data Science and AI at the Erasmus School of Philosophy

Caroline Bollen first ESDiT PhD graduate with her work on Empathy 2.0

Caroline Bollen first ESDiT PhD graduate with her work on Empathy 2.0

Reimagining Digital Well-Being – Report for designers & policy makers

Reimagining Digital Well-Being – Report for designers & policy makers

The ESDIT podcast

Interviews with, and by, scholars affiliated with the research consortium Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies. The ESDiT podcast showcases ongoing research of various junior and senior scholars active in contemporary technology ethics.

Our Next Event

We regularly organize academic events and events with stakeholders, such as:

ESDiT Research Day

Date: March 27, 2025
Time: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
Location: ECC Leiden, Haagse Schouwweg 10; 2332 KG Leiden
Academic event | All research lines & tracks | ESDIT event by invitation only
ESDIT logo

The ESDiT Research Day is only accessible for ESDiT fellows.