CFP: The Uses and Abuses of Biology

The Uses and Abuses of Biology Essay Competition is open to any applicant, of any nationality, up to the age of 30.

The 2013 essay title is 'How is contemporary biology used for ideological purposes?'. Essays with alternative titles will not be considered.

Given the broad range of the title, essays should focus on one of the following topics: either politics OR sociology OR theology OR philosophy OR media. Please address only one topic in your essay.

Some example topics and questions include, but are not restricted to:

• the use or misuse of biological ideas in political rhetoric
• is genetics used more to support racist or egalitarian ideas in the public domain?
• is government policy on early years' education influenced by neurobiology?
• the relationship between biology and atheism
• how neurology and genetics influence Moral theory
• biology and the materialism / dualism debate in the theory of mind
• does the media use biology to propagate the idea of human determinism?
• is the communication of the theory of evolution in education and the media value-free?

Essays should not discuss practical or ethical issues in biology such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), assisted reproductive techniques, genome sequencing or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Examples must also be contemporary - essays should not use historical examples (such as Social Darwinism), unless it is an example with on-going relevance to contemporary society, nor should futuristic examples be used.

• Please ensure you have read the above Guidelines before beginning your essay. The chosen topic (Politics, Sociology, Theology, Philosophy, Media) should be stated at the top of the essay.
• Applicants should be aged 30 or younger on the day the competition closes.
• There are no restrictions on applicant nationality.
• Essays should be typed, in English, on A4 pages with double spacing.
• Essays should be between 4000 and 6000 words in length, not including citations or bibliography, which can be added as an Appendix.
• All submissions are final and only one submission per person is permitted.

Your submission should include your name, address, date of birth and contact details, together with the names and contact details of two referees who could, if required, confirm your age at the time of submission.

Submissions will be accepted by email at

[email protected]

An independent panel of judges will select the competition winners. Up to three prizes for first, second and third place, worth £1000, £500, and £250 respectively, will be awarded. The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome of the competition.

Enquiries or clarifications regarding the essay competition should be sent to Nell Whiteway, the Grants Coordinator, at [email protected]