Conceptualizing genes as causes: distinguishing between genetic essentialism, genetic determinism and genetic reductionism

The overall purpose of this workshop is to develop a jointly agreed conceptual framework on the widespread non-normative (non-scientific) conception of genes as causes for the international research community in biology education research.

The specific aim of the workshop is to distinguish between, and relate, the concepts of genetic essentialism, genetic determinism and genetic reductionism.

As research reviews have shown, these non-normative ways of conceptualizing genes by students and teachers constitute one of the most important problems of biology education and consequently is extensively researched.

However, in the literature, there is inconsistency in how these concepts have been labeled and explained because different researchers work concurrently, which makes it difficult to build knowledge cumulatively.

To redress the situation of conceptual inconsistency in biology education research, it is important to work collaboratively on the definitions of these central concepts. The project will run for two years.

In spring 2024, the two applicants will meet and formulate a text as a starting point for a proposed conceptual framework.

In summer 2024, twelve internationally leading biology education researchers will be invited to an explanatory workshop to discuss the framework based on their own research. The results from the workshop will be analysed during autumn 2024. In 2025 a final framework will be presented at an international conference and in a research article.