In the news

• Topics in the media - such as foot and mouth disease, BSE and CJD, cloning or mental illness - should offer plenty of inspiration.
• New Scientist magazine gives the background to hundreds of hot topics.
• Wellcome Library offers a series of resources guides, including key books, reports, articles and websites, covering topics such as cloning, genetic testing, health issues and related ethical, legal and social issues.
  

Unanswered questions
Situations for which science does not have any clear answers, or on which scientists disagree - reflecting the uncertainties of science - also provide interesting material. Projects could debate questions like: Is MMR safe? What will be the consequences of GM foods? The science pages of Spiked offer points of view for debate. Further information can be found through psci-com gateway to internet sites covering public engagement with science, science communication and the impact of science on society, as well as web resources that explain specific scientific topics.

Ethical dilemmas
The ethical issues arising from biomedical advances offer plenty of inspiration. All of the following areas throw up difficult questions for society, communities and individuals. Who should make the decisions? Scientists, the Government, the media, pressure groups? For further information visit DirectGov, which provides relevant government information.

Genes and people
Modern genetics offer an insight not just into genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis but also promise more information than ever before about how genes interact with each other, our environment and our upbringing. It is this complex interaction that shapes us as human beings. What does this mean for identity and destiny in the 21st century? Cancer, heart disease and even certain behaviours have genetic dimensions - though how much is a source of speculation, which itself has social implications and raises questions about choice and ethics. For further information visit the The Human Genome website, which describes the scientific, ethical, legal and social issues raised by the Human Genome Project.

Mental health
Projects could involve researching some of the recent developments in brain science to find out more about how people perceive the world and the causes of mental illness. Projects may want to look into questions around the way mental illness is defined and the ethical implications of using drugs and other treatments to treat mental illness. The Trust has already funded a number of drama projects exploring this field through its Science on Stage and Screen ('Losing It', 'The Brain', 'The Idiot'), Science Centrestage ('It Could Be You') and Y Touring's production of 'Cracked'. Channel 4 has a helpful science section, including a 'body and mind' area under interactive science.

Across the globe
Projects do not just have to stick to illnesses and issues affecting the UK or the developed world. Applications could take a global perspective, perhaps examining the place of science in different cultures, the ethics of global research (e.g. into HIV), or the impact of tropical diseases such as malaria. The Department for International Development has a useful website for exploring the global dimension in education.

Straight from science
Projects inspired by science itself - rather than the social issues arising from science - perhaps exploring certain scientific concepts, images or processes, will also be welcome.

History of medicine
Inspiration can also come from looking back. Stories about significant science developments in the past often resonate with contemporary issues and help put the present in context. Henry Wellcome, the founder of the Wellcome Trust, was passionate about medical history , and was captured in the 2003 Medicine Man exhibition about his life and collecting habits. The Trust also has the world famous Wellcome Library dedicated to the history of medicine.

See also
Engaging Science grants
Public Engagement activities
Biomedical Ethics grants
contacts