大阪大学社会技術共創研究センター

Organizational Chart

Organizational Chart: The Three Divisions & Four Functions of the Osaka University ELSI Center

The Osaka University Research Center on Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI Center) has 18 faculty members with diverse specialties, and nearly 50 affiliated and visiting faculty members (as of March 2022).

The Center is made up of three divisions: the General Research Division, the Practice Research Division, and the Collaborative Research Division. Faculty affiliated with these three divisions conduct joint research with a variety of institutions both within, and outside of, Osaka University.

Moreover, all three divisions collaborate to produce educational programs on ELSI. The implementation of these programs is not limited to Osaka University – rather, they are shared broadly with industry actors, to help cultivate “ELSI human resources,” and establish them in society.

  1. General Research Division
    The General Research Division focuses on the identification of ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) at each stage, from research and development to the implementation of emerging science and technologies. Its research also considers the initiatives that are expected of stakeholders to address ELSI, and inclusive and sustainable approaches to governance.
  2. Practice Research Division
    The Practice Research Division focuses on collaboration with academic researchers and businesses developing emerging science and technologies. This collaborative research aims to support innovation through the early identification of potential ELSI and by conducting impact assessments. This joint research is primarily conducted by ELSI researchers with expertise in the social sciences and humanities.
  3. Collaborative Research Division
    The Collaborative Research Division conducts workshops and other initiatives on the implementation of emerging science and technologies, encouraging the participation of a wide range of actors, to connect the views of citizens with industry and government agencies. Moreover, it aims to promote research and development based on collaborations with diverse stakeholders. To this end, research is conducted on policy development and practice related to the implementation of emerging science and technologies.

Development of ELSI human resources

The three divisions work to develop a diverse range of ELSI educational programs. These are not only for use within the university, but instead are broadly extended to industry and the public sector, to cultivate ELSI human resources, and establish them in society.