HONDOU, Tsuyoshi 　(Leader of Science Group)

Associate Professor
Graduate School of Science,
Tohoku University

For nearly 8 years in Tohoku University, I have been engaged in a reckless scheme to teach science and technology studies through physics and music.
I am basically a theoretical physicist, but I sometimes conduct experiments using cells, and I also belong to a medical society and to Japanese Society for Science and Technology Studies. Therefore, when asked about my specialty, I would like to answer simply “I am a scientist.”
As the nuclear power plant in Fukushima has shown us, science and technology can have a direct impact on citizens, and can sometimes go beyond the range of responsibility that experts or a company can bear.
Since it is impossible even for experts (scientists) to make precise prediction of the future, the society and citizens must “choose” something as their wills, on the premise that science entails uncertainty.
If such choice is to be made, we will certainly need a mechanism to prevent experts of science and technology from going out of control but to make proper use of those experts.
Currently, using court as an example, I am contemplating the relation between society and expert knowledge of science and technology, and position of scientists in civil society, as well as the roles and responsibilities of legal experts and citizens in the society dependent on science and technology.

KURI, Miwa

Research Associate at Graduate School of Science,
Tohoku University

I received a Ph.D. in Science, studying both geology and geophysics at the same time.
Specifically, I have researched on mantle convection and volcanoes (particularly formation and evolution of magma chamber), and have also used mass spectrometer in my work.
Since February 2007, I worked in the Office for Women Researchers, as a Research Assistant at the Center for Research Strategy and Support of Tohoku University, participating in the design of short-time work system and also in science awareness raising campaign with “Science Angels” of the Office.
After that I became Research Associate of the Media Office of Education and Research Support Department of Graduate School of Science and Faculty of Science in April 2009, and in June 2009, moved to the Outreach Support Office of the same department as Research Associate.
While I was seeking to do a job that is related to disaster prevention education and can serve as a contact point between science and society, I was invited to the project. Since then, I have struggled with the terms and the culture I am not familiar with.
In March 2011, I experienced the Tohoku Earthquake, and since then I have been frustrated with my own powerlessness, though I believe I can do something about it in my position.

KOBAYASHI，Taizo

Kyushu University
Research Institute for Information Technology

A jack-of-all-trades natural philosopher.
My lazy and tactless nature has led me to engage in what other people are not doing. Every time I did it, people close to me were worried about my future, but I have been fortunate enough to continue without a setback, thanks to my luck with good relationships.
This project is an important one for me that I cannot do without, but I am currently considering how to strike a good balance between my research and other works in this project.
At any rate, how I wish I could play the fugue of Bach’s Sonatas and partitas for solo Violin Sonata No.3 BWV1005 as much as I want!!
Doctor of Science / Project Associate Professor at Research Institute for Information Technology, Kyushu University
My regular job:
I study the secret of the beautiful sound of flute using computational physics.
To put it more technically, I am aiming to construct a basic theory on dynamic phenomena.
I also study how to connect and manage computers in distant locations.
To put it technically, I am engaged in research and development of the mechanism to manage and operate a large-scale wide-area distributed system.
Administrator of MacOS X WorKShop, Originator of “Small College”

HIRATA, Koji

Professor
School of Advanced Sciences,
The Graduate University for Advanced Studies

My specialty is theoretical physics. Though I took a degree in particle physics, I chose to study accelerator physics, and worked on the theoretical parts of the TRISTAN and the KEKB accelerators at National Laboratory for High Energy Physics　(currently　“High Energy Accelerator Research Organization”).
Those experiences have taught me the “secret” of science – namely that science is uncertain, but that, because it is uncertain, science can be trusted. (By the way, I think the current problems about atomic energy in Japan result partly from lack of sensitivity to “uncertainty of science.”) Since then, I have been interested in how the uncertainty of science appears in various situations, and I have also started to work on science and technology studies though I am a non-expert in the field.　I joined this group because I was interested to know how this issue is treated in the judicial world.

MURAKAMI, Yuko

Logic, Philosophy
Associate Professor
Graduate School of Science
Tohoku University

A philosopher and believer in the supremacy of logic, who is　forgetting the main profession while acting as a versatile philosopher.
When I entered university, I was interested in the mechanism of communication via music, but later came to take stronger interest in mathematics and to decide to major in logic. However, no proper course was found, and after twists and turns, I was finally able to specialize in logic while I was studying in the U.S. Unfortunately, after my return to Japan, I have been unable to utilize what I learned there.
Still, I enjoy my daily life, involved in various projects.

Associate Professor at Tohoku University
Graduated from College of Arts and Sciences, Tokyo University.
Completed Master’s Program at Graduate School of Science, the University of Tokyo (History of Science and Philosophy of Science).
Completed Ph.D. Program in Philosophy (specializing in logic) at Graduate School of Indiana University.
Before the current job, worked as Research Fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and as Project Researcher at National Institute of Informatics.

Oishi，Ai