At EA UW, we run mentored research projects, host impact-oriented career advising, attend professional conferences, and much more — but the best way to get involved is to join one of our intro programs!We especially recommend our <a href="/programs/ea-intro-fellowship">Intro to EA Fellowship</a>.Our other intro programs are targeted towards students pursuing careers in specific fields. If these interest you, feel free to apply!

Introductory Programs

Application deadline Tuesday, Febuary 14th.

Fellowship applications are now open!

AI Governance Course

Intro to AI Safety Course

Animal Ethics Fellowship

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of what you’ll learn:

Global Catastrophic Biological Risks Course

An overview of biorisks, focusing on some of the most catastrophic risks from biology, sometimes referred to as GCBRs (Global Catastrophic Biological Risks).This week highlights some of the deadliest pandemics from history, as well as historical examples of pathogen laboratory escapes and deliberate misuse. This is placed in the context of the current rate of synthetic biology progress, emphasising the need for vigilance and preparedness for emerging threats.

Week 1: Introduction to Extreme Pandemic Threats

The WHO defines Dual-Use Reaseach of Concern (DURC) as "research that is intended to provide a clear benefit, but which could easily be misapplied to do harm."This week discusses the concept of DURC, and the debates around what research should be conducted and/or published.DURC could take the form of:<ul><li>Research that is well-intentioned but may create risks as it is being carried out (e.g. work with potential pandemic pathogens, where a lab escape could be very problematic)</li><li>Research that creates risks because someone else might misuse the information/methods if they are published openly.</li></ul>

Week 2: Dual Use Research of Concern

During this week, we will delve into the advancements in the field of synthetic biology, and their implications for biosecurity. We will explore the significant progress in biotechnology over the past decade, the tools that make it possible, and the degree to which these developments have become accessible even to undergraduate scientists.

Week 3: Advances in Biotechnology

This week covers the deliberate misuse of biology to cause harm in the form of bioweapons. We cover the historical and contemporary aspects of biological warfare, as well as the international efforts to control it.We focus on the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), including the challenges faced in enforcing the it.

Week 4: Bioweapons and Biodefense

Explore the prevention strategies for future pandemics, particularly the importance of early detection of biological threats. Delve into the concept of a global pathogen early warning system, discussing its potential to improve disease reporting, data sharing, and swift response.Consider questions like:<ul><li>What are the tradeoffs between different technologies? Which systems are better suited low-resource areas vs well-resourced areas?</li><li>What is the usefulness of detection at various points in the pandemic?</li><li>Are there any systems you think could work well but aren’t mentioned here?</li><li>What risks should we be aware of when collecting this information?

Week 5: Pandemic Prevention and Diagnostics

This week's resources focus on the theme of improving global preparedness and response to potential pandemics and biological threats. Proposals include significant investments in technological advancement, infrastructure enhancement, disease surveillance, and international coordination to rapidly develop and deploy countermeasures during potential health crises.

Week 6: Pandemic Response

Here’s a week-by-week breakdown of what you'll discuss:

Intro to EA Fellowship

In this week, participants will get to know each other and their facilitator. Topics discussed include, cause-neutrality, scope-insensitivity, and a framework for cause-prioritization.

Week 1: Introduction to Effective Altruism

In this week, participants will cover counterfactual reasoning and expected value and their application to altruistic endeavors.

Week 2: Rationality

In week 3, participants discuss who we should consider when taking action to do good, with a particular focus on the concept of sentience and the farmed animal welfare cause area. We also use the term “Cause X” to ask what opportunities we could be missing.

Week 3: Expanding Our Compassion

This week covers arguments for and against the philosophy of longtermism. Participants consider the positive impact of pandemic prevention and nuclear risk reduction.

Week 4: Longtermism and Existential Risk

In week 5, participants discuss how the principles of Effective Altruism can be applied to their choice of career. Participants are also connected with high impact internship opportunities, professional impact-oriented career advising, as well as further opportunities within EA UW.

Introductory Programs

Contact us today to find out how we can help you do more good.