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 Democracy2. Overview of a Set of Deliberative Processes on Nano PART II: CITIZEN-ORIENTED DELIBERATIVE PROCESSESIntroduction to Part II3. Citizens' Nano Conference in Denmark4. The NanoJury in the United Kingdom5. Consumer Conference on the Perception of Nanotechnology in the Areas of Food, Cosmetics, and Textiles, Germany6. French Conferences Cycle on Nanotechnology: Nanomonde7. Citizens' Conference, Île-de-FranceAppendix 1. Policy Recommendations from the Citizens' Conference8. Nanotechnology Citizens' Conference in Madison, USAAppendix 2. Written Submission from the Citizens' Coalition on Nanotechnology9. The U.S. National Citizens' Technology Forum on Human Enhancement: An Experiment in Deliberation Across a NationAppendix 3. Facilitators PART III: STAKEHOLDER-ORIENTED DELIBERATIVE PROCESSES Introduction to Part III10. Experiments with Cross-National Deliberative Processes Within FP6 and FP7 of the EuropeanUnion: The Convergence Seminars, the DEMOCS Card Games, and the Nanologue Project11. Standardisation as a Form of Deliberation12. 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 TECHNOLOGIES13. Outlook 2013: Towards a Third Generation of Deliberative Processes14. Third-Generation Deliberative Processes on Nanotechnology15. Participatory democracy: Hybrid Forums and Deliberative Processes as Methodological Tools 16. Conclusion 2020: A More Democratic Science Through Public Engagement?