Tattoos, robotics and plastic surgery!

How can the body be transformed by art? If robotics can mimic life, what are the consequences for humanity? What are the impacts of modern food production methods on both the richest and poorest countries of the world? And how can artists and designers raise awareness about the environment?

These and many other issues will be raised at a two day international conference at the University of Teesside, from Friday 10 - Saturday 11 March. Entitled ‘Sustaining Life, Designing Life’, the conference is part of the annual AV Festival, sponsored jointly by the University of Teesside, Middlesbrough Council, Sunderland City Council and Tyneside Cinema.

The conference has been organised by the University’s Social Futures Institute. Dr Tony Chapman, the Institute’s Director, said: “The conference will explore various aspects of life through several themes. These include disability, genetics, body art such as tattoos and the highly topical subject of cosmetic intervention. I’m delighted with our list of guest speakers, some of whom will have travelled from Australia, America and Switzerland.”

The conference’s keynote speaker is leading geneticist Dr Tom Shakespeare. His talk, entitled ‘(Re) design for living? A social and ethical critique of enhancement technologies’ will be delivered in the Centuria Building Lecture Theatre, Victoria Road, Middlesbrough on Friday 10 March, from 10.45am-12 noon. The lecture is free and open to the public. There will be an opportunity to photograph / interview Dr Shakespeare at 12.05pm on the same day in the Centuria Building. For more details please contact Stephen Laing on 01642 342962, email s.laing@tees.ac.uk

Dr Tom Shakespeare is well known to TV audiences through his appearances on diverse programmes including BBC One’s Question Time. Dr Shakespeare is Director of Outreach for the Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences Research Institute. This Newcastle-based project develops research and debate on the social and ethical implications of the new genetics.

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