Learning from Experience: Integrating Effective Community Engagement into Neurotechnology Development

Abstract

In today's ever-evolving landscape of neurotechnology, the intersection between technological advancements and community engagement holds significant importance. This is especially evident in the context of groundbreaking first-in-human clinical trials. As we embark on the exploration of effective community engagement in neurotechnology development, we will discuss insights that have the power to shape the future of this field. In this discussion, we will delve into the essence of community engagement, its essentiality in the realm of neurotechnology, and the established frameworks for its implementation, as well as introduce Collaborative Communities and that recently established for Implantable Brain-Computer Interface, iBCI-CC.

Jennifer French

She is the founder and executive director of Neurotech Network, a nonprofit organization that focuses on education and advocacy of neurotechnologies. French has helped launch successful divisions is such organizations as Bombardier Capital and Connection, as well as nonprofit organizations and community/patient engagement programs. She serves on several boards including the Institute of Neuroethics, OpenMinds platform, BRAIN Initiative MCWG  & NEWG, and the American Brain Coalition. She is also a faculty member for the NeuroTech Course. Together with Drs. Lennerz  & Dr. Hochberg, she recently launched the Implantable BCI Collaborative Community (iBCI-CC), a multi-stakeholder forum dedicated to advancing regulatory science in iBCIs. As a result of a snowboarding accident, French lives with tetraplegia due to a spinal cord injury. She is an early user of an experimental implanted neural prosthesis for paralysis and is the Past-President of the North American SCI Consortium. She is the author of On My Feet Again and is co-author of Bionic Pioneers. Jen is also an avid sailor. She is a silver medalist from the 2012 Paralympic Games and is the 2012 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year; the first woman with a disability to receive this distinction.

Her latest TED talk is available: https://youtu.be/tkspAQW_2sQ