Coffee with Scientists

The goal of this series is to provide an informal, relaxed setting where scientists—broadly defined—can share current challenges, puzzles, or opportunities in their fields. By fostering meaningful conversations between scientists and scholars of science (historians, philosophers, etc.), we hope to encourage a constructive exchange of perspectives. (NB: The inspiration and name are taken from Cambridge HPS's Coffee with Scientists series.)

Events 2025

If you wish to be notified of upcoming events, please subscribe to the HPS Seminar Mailing List. (There is no separate mailing list for this event series) If you have questions, contact Cristian Larroulet Philippi.

Coffee with Scientists events are in person.

Friday 24 October
15:00-16:00
Arts West Building, North Wing, Room 553 (Level 5)

From embryos to stem cells and back again: revisiting past debates and anticipating future impact
Megan Munsie, University of Melbourne

Twenty years ago, the use of human embryos in research was big news. Scientists spoke of the promise of stem cell research, with many in the community supportive, while others remained adamant that constraints needed to be placed on this research to protect the sanctity of life. Since then, the adoption of new technology means scientists rely less on human embryos. However, recent reports of the creation of 3D embryo-like models from stem cells has reignited community debate around what type of research is scientifically justified and who decides. In this talk I will reflect on my involvement in embryo research law reform over the decades and explore the ethical and regulatory issues raised by stem cell-based embryo models now and potentially in the future. I will also share what is known about how those outside the scientific community view this issue and ask how they could be involved in shaping oversight of this area, thereby avoiding some of the mistakes of the past.

Professor Megan Munsie combines her scientific expertise in developmental biology with a deep understanding of the ethical, legal, and societal implications of stem cell science and its clinical translation. Findings from her research have influenced policy reforms at an Australian and international level, and informed the design and delivery of educational resources for patients, healthcare professionals, and school students for more than a decade. Her innovative approach to science communication, public engagement and responsible innovation in regenerative medicine and related technologies is internationally recognized. She is a Principal Investigator in the transglobal Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Stem Cell Medicine (reNEW) where she leads the humanities and social sciences research theme, and a group leader of the Stem Cell Ethics and Policy Group at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), Melbourne. Megan is on the Board of the International Society for Stem Cell Research and is the immediate past President of the Australasian Society for Stem Cell Research. She completed her Masters and PhD at Monash University; her science degree at the Queensland University of Technology, and in her early career worked as a clinical embryologist in Australian IVF clinics.

PAST EVENTS

EVENTS COMPLETED FOR 2025

Friday 6 June,
15:00–16:00,
Digital Lab (Arts West, West Wing, Room 213)

Concept Creep: Understanding Harm Inflation
Nicholas Haslam, Psychology, University of Melbourne

I will present an overview of my research program on "concept creep", the tendency for harm-related concepts to broaden their meanings over time. This program includes studies of historical semantic change that apply natural language processing methods to large text corpora, as well as correlational and experimental studies of the implications of holding expansive harm concepts. Paying special attention to evolving concepts of mental illness, I will argue that concept creep reflects an important cultural shift that contributes to the current mental health crisis. This work raises interesting questions about how conceptual change can create changes in personal identity and social reality.