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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:

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

Latest News & Media appearances

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

Aligning traffic with public values is complex—could navigation apps ‘nudge’ drivers to do better?

Aligning traffic with public values is complex—could navigation apps ‘nudge’ drivers to do better?

The Ethics of Artificial Wombs: an interview with Julia Hermann

The Ethics of Artificial Wombs: an interview with Julia Hermann

The programme of the 4TU.Ethics/ESDiT Conference is live

The programme of the 4TU.Ethics/ESDiT Conference is live

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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:

4TU.Ethics/ESDiT conference 2026

Start date: November 4, 2026
End date: November 6, 2026
All-day event
Location: Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 4, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
Academic event | All research lines | Art | Conceptual Disruption | Democracy, Justice & Solidarity | Human Nature, Agency & Autonomy | Intercultural Philosophy | Nature & Sustainability | New Methods for Ethics | STEM | Wellbeing, Emotions & Health
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What do philosophy and ethics of technology mean in turbulent times? This is the question that we will explore in the next edition of our bi-annual conference, which will take place from 4-6 November 2026. We invite fellow scholars to submit a panel or session proposal, and/or register for participation.