Program Overview

Philosophy and Ethics of Food Science and Technology (in person)

Course Schedule

The course will take place on the following dates:

• 4 September 2025
• 11 September 2025
• 18 September 2025
• 25 September 2025
• 2 October 2025
• 9 October 2025
  • Start time: 14:30
  • End time: 17:30
  • Location: WUR Campus
  • Coordinator: Vesna Prsic

Course Description

This course includes hands-on dealings with ethical, philosophical, and societal issues surrounding science. The discussion with guest scientists from various disciplines is based upon relevant actual cases from the realm of Biobased, Biomolecular, Chemical, Food, and Nutrition Sciences. The goal of this discussion series is to spark educated discussions on various facets of science and about the responsibilities of being a scientist. The course will be guided by Dr. Hugh Desmond (Philosophy).

General Information

• Target Group: PhD candidates
• Group size: 20 participants
• Course duration: 6 Thursday afternoon sessions (14:30-17:30 h)
• Language: English
• Credit points: 1.5 ECTS
• Self-study hours: 1-2 hours preparation per session
• Name lecturer: Dr. Hugh Desmond, Lead philosopher
• Venue: Wageningen UR Campus

Programme

The course consists of the following sessions:

1. Session 1 (04/09/2025) – Introduction - Exploring participants’ ideals, ambitions, and dilemmas
2. Session 2 (11/09/2025) – ‘Knowledge and ignorance - Basics of science’
3. Session 3 (18/09/2025) – ‘Science for a healthy society: How science is translated into policy’
4. Session 4 (25/09/2025) – ‘Disruptive technology & innovation’
5. Session 5 (02/10/2025) – ‘Science in public and private context’
6. Session 6 (09/10/2025) – ‘Research integrity’

Fee

The course fee varies depending on the participant's affiliation:

• PhD candidates of Wageningen University with an approved Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) and postdocs of Wageningen University that are registered at one of the graduate schools of Wageningen (EPS, PE&RC, WASS, WIAS, WIMEK): € 130,-
• All other PhD candidates / post-docs and staff of Wageningen University: € 260,-
• All other participants: € 520,- The fee includes study and training material, coffee/tea.

Cancellation Condition

• Until four weeks before the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
• After this date, you will be charged the full (not reduced) fee. Exemptions of payment in case of cancellation within the four weeks before the start of the course:
  • If you propose a replacement, please inform the course coordinator.
  • If you have a written statement from your supervisor (doctor in case of illness) indicating the valid reason (circumstances beyond your control) of your withdrawal from the course. Validity of the reason will be evaluated by the WGS Course Commission.