Neurotechnology and human agency

A map of the dimensions of agency, from Schönau et al. (2021)
A visual illustration of the different dimensions of agency as related to neurotechnological devices, taken from Schönau et al. (2021).

Agency refers to our ability to carry out our intentions, and have ownership of our thoughts and actions. Agency is important for understanding who we are and what we are responsible for. In our work, we often take a relational approach to agency, and we consider how the meaning of what it is to be an agent may shift as neurotechnologies become more integrated in our selves. We also ask participants in neurotechnology research and users of therapeutically-approved neural devices about their experiences of using neurotechnology to get a better understanding of its impacts on human agency.

People: Sara Goering, Eran Klein, Tim Brown, Erika Versalovic, Andreas Schönau, Ishan Dasgupta, Natalie Montes.


Grants:

NIH 1RF1MH117800-01 “Human Agency and Brain Computer Interfaces: Understanding users’ experiences and developing a tool for improved consent” (R01 Neuroethics) Co-PIs Sara Goering and Eran Klein; $1.6 million (2018-2022)

NIH 1R61MH135407-01 “Novel multimodal neural, physiological, and behavioral sensing and machine learning for mental states” (R66/R31). PI Maryam Shanechi (University of Southern California); Sara Goering and Eran Klein, co-investigators for ethics integration. Total award $5,864,619 (2023-2028).

Publications:

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