Consumers and Nanotechnology Deliberative Processes and Methodologies

This book presents findings from EU (and other) projects on the theme of science in society, focusing on nanotechnology and the potential for democratisation of science. It is based on hands-on studies of a set of deliberative processes analysed by the European Commission’s FP7 NANOPLAT project. With added material in the second edition, the book gives a unique insight into the development of deliberative processes on nanotechnology from the start in June 2004 in Denmark up to the present. The analysis is based on an observation of ‘generations’ of deliberations and it develops the third-generation deliberation, first theoretically and then gets to test it out empirically under the NanoDiode project. In addition, it presents a version of Callon’s ‘hybrid forum’, called HF 2.0, and compares this approach to the deliberations. In light of the RRI approaches, the new concluding chapter considers the potential for a more democratic science through public engagement.

PART I: SCIENCE AND DEMOCRACY 1. Emerging Technologies, Deliberations and Democracy 2. Overview of a Set of Deliberative Processes on Nano PART II: CITIZEN-ORIENTED DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES Introduction to Part II 3. Citizens’ Nano Conference in Denmark 4. The NanoJury in the United Kingdom 5. Consumer Conference on the Perception of Nanotechnology in the Areas of Food, Cosmetics, and Textiles, Germany 6. French Conferences Cycle on Nanotechnology: Nanomonde 7. Citizens’ Conference, Île-de-France Appendix 1. Policy Recommendations from the Citizens’ Conference 8. Nanotechnology Citizens’ Conference in Madison, USA Appendix 2. Written Submission from the Citizens’ Coalition on Nanotechnology 9. The U.S. National Citizens’ Technology Forum on Human Enhancement: An Experiment in Deliberation Across a Nation Appendix 3. Facilitators PART III: STAKEHOLDER-ORIENTED DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES Introduction to Part III 10. Experiments with Cross-National Deliberative Processes Within FP6 and FP7 of the European Union: The Convergence Seminars, the DEMOCS Card Games, and the Nanologue Project 11. Standardisation as a Form of Deliberation 12. An Online Platform for Further Deliberative Processes PART IV: AN ASPECT OF A MORE DEMOCRATIC SCIENCE: THE FUTURE OF DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES ON NANOTECHNOLOGY AND OTHER EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 13. Outlook 2013: Towards a Third Generation of Deliberative Processes 14. Third-Generation Deliberative Processes on Nanotechnology 15. Participatory democracy: Hybrid Forums and Deliberative Processes as Methodological Tools 16. Conclusion 2020: A More Democratic Science Through Public Engagement?

Pål Strandbakken is a sociologist currently working as a researcher at SIFO Consumption Research Norway, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. He has also worked on the project Alternative Future from 1988 to 1992 for the Norwegian Parliament. His current research interests are environmental sociology, ELSA aspects of nanotechnology, product durability, and science and technology studies. Gerd Scholl is an economist and an independent consultant. Formerly, he worked as a senior researcher at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin. His main areas of interest include sustainable consumption and production, sustainable marketing and consumers, and new technologies. Eivind Stø is a political scientist and he retired as a research director from the National Institute for Consumer Research in Norway. His main areas of interest include the sociology of consumption, sustainable production and consumption, and consumer complaints.