Informing, involving or engaging? Science communication, in the ages of atom-, bio- and nanotechnology
Journal
Public Understanding of Science
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2009
Author(s)
Abstract (De)
Science communication has shifted considerably in Europe over the last decades. Three technology controversies on atoms, genes, and nanoscale sci-ences and nanotechnologies (NST) turned the style of communication from one-way information, participation and dialogues to the idea of an early and more democratic engagement of the public. Analyzing science communication developing over the three controversies, this article shows that what happened in one technology field fed forward to and contributed to shaping the subse-quent field and that communication was initiated at a progressively earlier stage of technology development. The article concludes with an empirical analysis of six public engagement projects in NST, saying that the shift towards more democratic engagement of the public hasn’t been as profound and complete as has been thought. This is particularly due to the continuing adoption of a simplistic contrast structure that opposes science and the public as two self-contained, antagonistic social entities.
Language
English
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
HSG Profile Area
None
Refereed
Yes
Start page
559
End page
573
Pages
14
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
256029
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
PUB_PUS-18-5-09.pdf
Size
112.73 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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