Democratic theory and citizen participation: democracy models in the evaluation of public participation in science and technology

When peer-reviewed publications are not enough! Delivering science for natural resource management

“…Participatory research refers to a set of methodological tools designed to include the public in research processes to varying degrees and then later in management decisions (Rocheleau, 1991;Greenwood et al, 1993;Everett, 2001;Pain and Francis, 2003;Krishnaswamy, 2004;Sheppard, 2005;Ballard and Belsky, 2010;Sessa and Ricci, 2010;Biegelbauer and Hansen, 2011). Research in any discipline using the appropriate or "best available" scientific methodology could potentially be defined as participatory research, provided that it satisfies four central elements: 1) the research builds capacities of groups or communities, including those who may have reduced access to information; 2) all participants (i.e.…”

Engaging with the public in public engagement with research

“…A ubiquitous reference point here is Habermas's (1989) model of the public sphere as a realm of rational communication oriented towards consensusformation. Normative perspectives on the public already figure prominently in the literature on public engagement with research, particularly in work that has debated the relative merits of different models of democratic life (Biegelbauer and Hansen, 2011;Chilvers, 2008) and how publicly engaged research can support particular ideals of democracy. Such work has also sought to establish normative frameworks, by drawing on such models to establish criteria for evaluating public-engagement projects (Rowe and Frewer, 2004;Rowe et al, 2008).…”

Communication as integral element of biomedical implant innovation

“…In line with parallel trends to strengthen non-government organizations and increasing the accountability and enforced openness of authorities, science communication serves the goal of empowering the public to hold science responsible, participate in steering decisions, correct misbehaviors, and prevent undesirable consequences of scientific progress. The strategic goal of this notion of science communication is public engagement with science [8] and citizen participation in science [9]. Instead of operating like an independent, self-serving system, science is expected to involve the public through active, dialogue-based communication and to take public concern seriously into account (technologies of humility, [10]).…”

“…Some (mostly tabloid) news media have been found ready to jazz up scandalizing campaigns of activist NGOs, and citizens tend to demand explicit self-explanations for potentially problematic institutional behaviors (accountability). For these reasons, promoting public understanding and acceptance of implant innovation must necessarily include active communication that generates transparency and options for dialogue and participation [9]. Maintaining proactive transparency (i.e.…”