Charis Thompson

Professor Charis Thompson is a leading scholar in Science Studies, Gender, and Biomedicine, holding a full professorship at the Department of Sociology, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She previously held positions at UC Berkeley and Harvard University, focusing on the sociopolitical implications of biomedical innovations. Her research bridges science, technology, and inequality, addressing topics like reproductive technologies, stem cell ethics, and genomic editing.

Education: PhD in Sociology (Science Studies) from UC San Diego, BA in Philosophy, Psychology, and Physiology from Oxford University. She also holds an honorary doctorate from NTNU, Norway. Professional roles include service on the Nuffield Council Human Genome Editing Working Group and the World Economic Forum Global Technology Council.

Research interests emphasize the ethical and social dimensions of scientific advancements, particularly in fertility treatments, stem cell research, and global health disparities. Her books Making Parents and Good Science are seminal works in Science and Technology Studies (STS), with her upcoming book Getting Ahead examining AI, genome editing, and inequality.

Publications span 40+ journal articles and book chapters, analyzing topics like CRISPR governance, IVF global histories, and the gendered dimensions of biomedical innovation. Awards include the Rachel Carson Prize and recognition for distinguished teaching at UC Berkeley.

Current roles include Visiting Professor at Princeton University’s Institute for Advanced Study (2020-2021). Her work integrates sociological theory with empirical studies of science’s societal impacts, advocating for equitable scientific practices and policies.