Assessing emerging technologies—Methodological challenges and the case of nanotechnologies

Fleischer, Torsten; Decker, Michael; Fiedeler, Ulrich

doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2004.10.005

Cited by 81 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Foresight studies, particularly where they involve the issue of roadmaps, commonly refer similarly to social and political trends. A roadmap is then developed either to fulfil the expectations of this trend or to counteract it (Kostoff and Schaller 2001;Fleischer et al 2005). In the field of market research, trend analyses are also developed, which then are drawn on as a basis for economic decisions (e.g.…”

Section: Identifying Relevant and Urgent Ta Topicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

When should there be which kind of technology assessment? A plea for a strictly problem-oriented approach from the very outset

Decker

Fleischer

2010

Poiesis Prax

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Technology assessment (TA) is generally classified as problem-oriented and thus transdisciplinary research. This is due to the fact that the aim of TA is to work out solutions for problems outside science in order to offer advice to its addressees, namely those working in politics and science and members of society in general. In this paper, we propose that the problem-oriented approach also be used as the basis for the decision regarding when a TA should be conducted in a particular situation, and which TA should be used. As a first step to this end, a broad range-almost like a kind of coarse radar-and large number of topics or problem sketches are created, which then serve as a basis for a discursive process of negotiation, during which topics are to be carried over into a detailed problem analysis (''fine radar''). These detailed problem analyses, which are important for transdisciplinary research, represent in themselves small research projects (preprojects). They provide, in addition, some initial indications for a methodologically promising project design. The methodological approach described here is currently being tested in a procedure in which TA topics are being monitored for the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, BMBF).Résumé L'accréditation et l'évaluation de la technologie (technology assessment, ou TA) est généralement considérée comme de la recherche orientée sur le problème et donc transdisciplinaire. Ceci est dû au fait que le but du TA est de résoudre des problèmes qui existent en dehors de la science pour pouvoir mieux conseiller ceux à qui il s'adresse: les politiciens, les scientifiques et la société en général. Ici nous proposons que l'approche orientée sur le problème doive aussi être la base de la décision concernant le choix du TA ainsi que le moment propice de le mettre en oeuvre selon une situation spécifique. Dans une première étape, une large gamme et un grand nombre de sujets ou d'esquisses de problèmes sont créés-à la manière d'un radar à grosse maille-servant ainsi de base pour un processus discursif de négociation, processus dans lequel des sujets doivent être transférés vers une analyse détaillée du problème («radar fin»). Ces analyses détaillées de problème, importantes pour la recherche transdisciplinaire, représentent en elles-mêmes des petits projets de recherche (pré-projets). De plus, ces analyses donnent des indications initiales pour un design de projet méthodologiquement prometteur. L'approche méthodologique telle qu'elle est décrite ici est actuellement en train d'être testée: des sujets de TA sont supervisés par le Ministère Fédéral Allemand de l'Education et de la Recherche (Bundesministerium fu¨r Bildung und Forschung, BMBF).Zusammenfassung (Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA) wird gemeinhin als problemorientierte und damit transdisziplinäre Forschung eingeordnet. Das ist der Tatsache geschuldet, dass TA Problemlösungen für außerwissenschaftliche Probleme erarbeiten möchte, um beratend für die Adressaten Politik...

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Section: Identifying Relevant and Urgent Ta Topicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

When should there be which kind of technology assessment? A plea for a strictly problem-oriented approach from the very outset

Decker

Fleischer

2010

Poiesis Prax

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“…International competition and globalization have changed the ways in which national policies and local industries can lay out directives and exert influence. Rather, as Fleischer et al put it, there is a "concentration of national governments on the shaping of framework conditions for innovation" (Fleischer et al, 2005(Fleischer et al, , p.1113. The framework programs of the European Commission are a case in point where, also, guidelines are drawn on how to meet the societal challenges of the present as well as of envisioned futures.…”

Section: Conditions Of Possibility and Conditions Of Accountabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Technolife project: an experimental approach to new ethical frameworks for emerging science and technology

Rommetveit

Gunnarsdóttir

Jepsen

et al. 2013

IJSD

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This paper presents the development of an experimental methodology for empirical and participatory ethics of science and technology. It is designed to detect, understand and mediate public concerns. Science and technology evolve rapidly as a result of their internal dynamics as well as the optimization of subsidy for research and innovation in recent times.Ethical frameworks for governing these developments are confronted with considerable tensions in mediating the velocity of new innovations while securing more robust institutional guarantees in order to manage and regulate in time. We argue that existing frameworks need to evolve to become more sensitive to the diversity of technological and societal challenges, of envisioning futures, and of what counts as legitimate concerns. For this reason, we give socio-technical imaginaries a key role in developing an ethical framework. Our experimental approach is seeking to establish criteria for mediating a wide range of public opinion in ways that can become embedded in legitimate, institutional procedures. Our methodological approach is also seeking to mediate between lay ethics and the discourse of professional ethicists, recognizing the fragmented character of both. We draw on theoretical constructs in current STS research, notably, those dealing with complex relations between communities, real or imagined, and the rise of new publics whose voices can be distilled and heard through mediating channels. This experimental methodology forms the central component of an ongoing European Union FP7-funded project, TECHNOLIFE. 1

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“…[20][21][22])-with the participation of the philosophy of technology and science studies on the one hand, and of the empirical social and communication sciences on the other-would analyze visions as a medium of communication in their cognitive and evaluative contents and consequences, in order to make a transparent and rational discussion possible. Vision assessment would be a building-block of an open, cognitively informed, and normatively-oriented dialogue, for example, among experts and the public, or among natural sciences, research funding, and regulation, which is necessary in order to be able to exploit the innovative potentials of modern technologies without winding up in a fundamentalistically hardened discussion of risks.…”

Section: Vision Assessment As a New Element Of The Ta Toolboxmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nanotechnology and the CT are the fields in which it at present becomes clearly apparent, which temporally and thematically broad dimensions these prognostications about the future can assume [2], and how extremely they can oscillate between expectations of salvation and of catastrophes. STS studies, technology assessment [22], and other methods of analysis and reflection on the interface between technology and society are called for, in order to meet these challenges with new methodical and conceptual approaches (e.g., vision assessment).…”

Section: Re´sume´-the New Conditio Humanamentioning

confidence: 99%

Converging technologies: Visions, increased contingencies of the conditio humana, and search for orientation

Grunwald¹

2007

Futures

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Assessing emerging technologies—Methodological challenges and the case of nanotechnologies

Cited by 81 publications

References 5 publications

When should there be which kind of technology assessment? A plea for a strictly problem-oriented approach from the very outset

When should there be which kind of technology assessment? A plea for a strictly problem-oriented approach from the very outset

The Technolife project: an experimental approach to new ethical frameworks for emerging science and technology

Converging technologies: Visions, increased contingencies of the conditio humana, and search for orientation

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