Rakesh Paul

PhD candidate at the University of Oslo

Rakesh is a PhD candidate in Science and Technology Studies at the TIK center, University of Oslo. He is a part of the EU project FUNGATERIA where an interdisciplinary team of researchers are developing a portfolio of mycelium based engineered living materials (ELMs). His research focuses on tracing the issues which might arise regarding this new technology by accessing the digital data bank along with public participation in the research process. He joined this project after completing his Master's degree in Sustainable Architecture from NTNU where he developed an interest both on the social and technological aspects of the built environment.

Tell us about your project!

Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are being developed to exploit properties such as environmental sensing, growth and self repair. The question emerges as how the society perceives living with living materials. To map the issues, the research will trace data from digital platforms across the social media and the web. Because of the novelty of this technology, concerns may still not arise and hence methods from science fiction literature would be employed for this purpose. As the project develops citizens would be involved in the process for modelling and creating a prototype with ELMs.

“Engineered Living Materials (ELMs) are being developed to exploit properties such as environmental sensing, growth and self repair. The question emerges as how the society perceives living with living materials.”

— Paul on his research project “Engineered Living Materials - Publics and the Futures


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