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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

Latest News & Media appearances

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

Doing Good in the Age of Big Tech and Declining Democracy: Public Event

Doing Good in the Age of Big Tech and Declining Democracy: Public Event

Vacancy Postdoc in Ethics of Technology: Innovating Methods for the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies, TU Eindhoven

Vacancy Postdoc in Ethics of Technology: Innovating Methods for the Ethics of Socially Disruptive Technologies, TU Eindhoven

Vacancy Postdoctoral Researcher in Ethical Assessment of Technology-Driven Social Disruption, University of Twente

Vacancy Postdoctoral Researcher in Ethical Assessment of Technology-Driven Social Disruption, University of Twente

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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:

Overshoot and recover? On the problem of substitution between negative emissions and emissions reductions

Bourban, Michel

Overshoot and recover? On the problem of substitution between negative emissions and emissions reductions Journal Article

In: Environmental Values, pp. 1-23, 2026.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Citizenship

Bourban, Michel

Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Citizenship Book

1, Palgrave Macmillan Cham, 2026.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

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:

Beyond AI Guidelines: Imagining Futures Worth Wanting (workshop)

Date: November 3, 2026
All-day event
Location: Wageningen University & Research
2026 pre-conference event | Art | Democracy, Justice & Solidarity | Human Nature, Agency & Autonomy | Nature & Sustainability | Wellbeing, Emotions & Health
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A growing number of ethical guidelines aim to steer AI development toward respecting ethical principles such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and privacy. In the challenging quest to translate abstract ideals into actionable requirements, we risk losing sight of the outcomes they were intended to achieve. If AI guidelines were fully realized, what would the world actually look like? How would our relationships, communities, and institutions change (or not)? And is that what we want?