Academic Centers

• International Center for Terrorism Studies
• National Security Health Policy Center
• National Center for Unconventional Thought
• Risk Analysis Center

Center for Neurotechnology Studies (CNS)

Mission

The Center for Neurotechnology Studies (CNS) is an academic research center within the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. The CNS pursues a four-part mission:

1. Anticipate ethical, legal, and social issues associated with emerging neurotechnolgy, and shepherd constructive public discourse to address such issues;
2. Provide support to government agencies pursuing neurotechnology by providing expertise in ethical, legal, and social issues, and develop policy options to address them;
3. Advocate and support the responsible development of neurotechnology; and
4. Consistent with Potomac Institute methodology, the CNS will maintain standing in the scientific community by actively participating in the science itself.

The work of the Center is guided by an advisory board made up of experts in science, technology, ethics, law, and society.

Supporting Researchers and Policy-Makers

The Center for Neurotechnology Studies provides a neutral, in-depth analysis of matters at the intersection of neurotechnology and public policy. It provides a forum for reasoned consideration of these issues both by subject-area experts and by the public. The Center serves as authoritative counsel to government agencies pursuing neurotechnology, by providing expertise in the sciences as well as the ethical, legal, and social issues associated with the technologies. The Center cultivates knowledge and shepherds discussion on the implications of neurotechnology in legislative, administrative, regulative, judicial, academic, and entrepreneurial enterprises. In turn, the Center is a highly-sought partner by the research community for advice, partnership, and advocacy for the public and private funding of key neurotechnology research.

Activities

The Center actively shepherds public debate on neurotechnology, in addition to advising public and private developers of this technology.

• Events: The Center hosts a continuing series of lectures, seminars, and other forums to address all issues around the development of neurotechnology.
• Publishing: The Center publishes articles on all aspects of neurotechnology in both specialized journals and the popular press. This role in the public debate contributes to public understanding and helps shape a reasoned and productive public dialogue on these issues.
• Research : The Center participates in neurotechnology research, particularly as it relates to policy and social change.

CNS Staff

• Dennis McBride, Ph.D., MPA, Interim Director
• Jamie Barnett, Esq., Senior Research Fellow
• Evan DeRenzo, Ph.D., Fellow
• Alexis Jeannotte, Ph.D., Graduate Intern
• Leah Reeves, Ph.D., Director, Human-Technology Integration and Assessment
• Kathryn Schiller, Research Assistant
• Ronald Uscinski, M.D., FACS, Fellow