Genomics and Society

20 & 27 November, 4 December 2026

Dr Kostas Kampourakis, UNIGE

Dr Kostas Kampourakis, UNIGE

At the end of this course the students should be able to:

• Understand the societal issues related to the public awareness of genomics;
• Analyze polls on the public awareness and understanding of genomics, and interpret their findings;
• Address the concerns that non-experts have when it comes DNA testing;
• Explain the validity and the reliability of DNA testing to lay people, as well as the relevant limitations;
• Create a short essay that is intended to help non-experts understand a specific aspect of or topic related to; genomics and society;
• Evaluate the short essays of other participants in terms of comprehensiveness and comprehensibility.

DAY1

SESSION 1: 09:00-12:00 Public image of genomics (analysis of representations of genomics in the media)

SESSION 2: 13:00-16:00 Public awareness and understanding of genomics and DNA (analysis of studies on public awareness and understanding

DAY 2

SESSION 3: 09:00-12:00 DNA testing related to health (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

SESSION 4: 13:00-16:00 Ancestry DNA testing (discussion of the technologies used and how these tests are marketed)

DAY 3

SESSION 5: 09:00-12:00 Explaining genomics and DNA testing to non-experts

SESSION 6: 13:00-16:00 Presentation and discussion of essays

UNIGE, Sciences II, room 4-449

When?
Nov 20 & 27, Dec 4, 2026 
9:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00

Where?
University of Geneva - Sciences II 
Quai Ernest-Ansermet 30, 1205 Geneva 4th floor - room 449 (TBC)

Questions?
[email protected]

Reimbursements for CUSO Students: Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO. See HERE for the procedure.

For any question concerning reimbursement please contact the CUSO Microbiology coordinator Sarah Miéville

Registration HERE

Deadline for registration: 6.11.2026

CUSO members: FREE
Others (MSc and postdocs): Please contact the CUSO coordinator here before registering: ecologie-evolution(at)cuso.ch

Cancellation Policy
In case of cancellations, before the 1st deadline (06.11.2026): free
Late cancellations (after 06.11.2026) or no-show: 50 CHF administrative fee

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