Dr. F. Kupper

Curriculum Vitae Frank Kupper

Publications Frank Kupper: see metis.vu.nl

Miscellaneous information

Frank Kupper was born in Neede on the 6th of july 1978. After graduating from the Staring College Gymnasium, he studied Biomedical Sciences at Utrecht University. During this period, his work for the student association and several educational boards and committees already familiarized him with the complexity of democratic practices. He earned a M.Sc. degree in Biomedical Sciences in 2002. After his Master graduation, he worked for a few years as a research assistant at the department of Functional Neurobiology of Utrecht University. An increasing interest in the context of science directed him towards the Faculty of Philosophy, where he received a M.A. degree in the Philosophy of the Life Sciences in 2005. In 2003 already, he was appointed as a junior researcher at the department of Biology and Society, the later Athena Institute, of the VU University Amsterdam.

He worked on an advisory project about animal biotechnology and the value of animals, which was later to become the subject of his PhD thesis. Formally, the PhD work started in 2005. The thesis presents the development and experimentation of two deliberative instruments that facilitate a stepwise reflective learning process about the animal biotechnology controversy. It designs a framework for the deliberation of animal biotechnology that is pluralistic, democratic and creative. One of the most crucial elements is creating space for reflective learning about value diversity and conflict.

In this period, Frank acquired an expertise in the development and use of interactive research methodology for public engagement in life science innovations. From 2006, he also became lecturer at the Athena Institute, with a special focus on philosophy, science and technology studies and interactive research methods. In 2007, he founded his own company ‘Mens in de Maak’, which is focused on the use of theatre and dialogue as instruments of playful reflection. Currently, Frank still works at ‘Mens in de Maak’ and also at the Athena Institute as an assistant professor Biology and Society. According to Frank, all these activities converge into a theme: bringing people together to engage in reflection.