Technology Assessment

Assessing Biorefineries

by Fredrik Hedenus

Co-author with Björn Sanden

Politics and institutions: European parliamentary technology assessment

by Luis Sanz-Menendez

Laura Cruz-Castro; Luis Sanz-Menéndez (2005) “Politics and institutions: European Parliamentary Technology Assessment”, Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol 72, n. 4, May, pp. 429-448.

This paper analyses, from an institutionalist perspective, the emergence, nature and ways in which parliamentary... more This paper analyses, from an institutionalist perspective, the emergence, nature and ways in which parliamentary scientific and technological advice activities are carried out in different European countries. A diffusion process from the United Sates could be identified in the early times, but some local preconditions are also important for the adoption of these practices in Europe, as well as the existence of some political entrepreneurs willing to advance the initiatives within their respective political systems. We argue that the connection of technology assessment (TA)with the political process can only be understood if the former is regarded not only as an input in the decision-making process but also as a legitimising mechanism.
Different models of arrangements of parliamentary TA (PTA) are identified, depending on the degree of inclusiveness of different actors in the TA process. The adaptation, consolidation and differential impact of these organizations are mediated by two factors: the capacity of PTA organizations to gain support, both inside and outside the Legislature, and their capacity to access decision makers in an environment of competition with other organizations that also produce TA. Models of PTA have both types of these capacities in differing degrees. It is argued that differences in the potential impact of TA activities in the different countries are to be analysed in the context of the rules of the political game and the types of incentives that TA organizations face. The degree of autonomy/dependence and exclusivity/nonexclusivity of the assessment for the parliaments are essential for understanding the diversity of impacts.

Technology Assessment and Education: Introduction

by António B. Moniz

With Dusseldorp, Marc and Beecroft, Richard

“Theory and Practice” of TA, which is referred to in the title of this journal “TATuP”, is usually addressed as a... more “Theory and Practice” of TA, which is referred to in the title of this journal “TATuP”, is usually addressed as a question of TA research. But science is more than research: the field of teaching requires just as much attention, both practically and theoretically. Therefore, a mere collection of individual teaching experiences and best practice examples does not provide a strong enough basis to discuss questions of TA teaching, these must also be embedded in a theoretical context and discussed in their relation to research. In this special issue, we aim to contribute to a combination of theoretical and practical approaches to the relation of TA and “Bildung”.

Concrete vs. wood in buildings-an energy system approach

by Fredrik Hedenus

What do civil society organisations expect from participation in science? Lessons from Germany and Spain on the issue of GMOs

by Vincenzo Pavone

Co-authored with Maria Paola Ferretti - University of Darmstadt

Recent debates in science and technology studies, as well as more practical approaches to science policy both at... more Recent debates in science and technology studies, as well as more practical approaches to science policy both at national and European level, have stressed the relevance of citizen participation in the field of science. This paper investigates what some of the key actors in this debate, civil society organisations, expect from participation. The paper presents two case studies of civil society participation in the field of novel biotechnologies in Germany and in Spain. Despite the differences between the experiences of participation in these two countries, our study shows that current institutional approaches, which are inspired by the 'democratisation of expertise' perspective and set up essentially at the 'downstream' level, seem less promising than 'upstream' models of participation, which, in contrast, appear more meaningful from a 'co-production of science' framing.

The Precautionary Principle In the Information Society

by Lorenz Hilty

The Precautionary Principle aims to anticipate and minimize potentially serious or irreversible risks under conditions... more The Precautionary Principle aims to anticipate and minimize potentially serious or irreversible risks under conditions of uncertainty. Thus it preserves the potential for future developments. It has been incorporated into many international treaties and pieces of national legislation for environmental protection and sustainable development. However the Precautionary Principle has not yet been applied systematically to novel Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and their potential environmental, social, and health effects. In this article we argue that precaution is necessary in this field and show how the general principle of precaution can be put in concrete terms in the context of the information society. We advocate precautionary measures directed towards pervasive applications of ICT (Pervasive Computing) because of their inestimable potential impacts on society

Scenario Analysis: Exploring the Macroeconomic Impacts of Information and Communication Technologies on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

by Lorenz Hilty

During the past decade, several macroeconomic studies on the potentials of information and communication technology... more During the past decade, several macroeconomic studies on the potentials of information and communication technology (ICT) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been published. The mitigation potentials identified in them vary to a high degree, mainly because they are not consistently defined and diverse methodologies are applied. The characteristics of ICT—exceptional dynamics of innovation and diffusion, social embedment and cross-sector application, diverse and complex impact patterns—are a challenge for macroeconomic studies that quantify ICT impacts on GHG emissions.

This article first reviews principal macroeconomic studies on ICT and GHG emissions. In the second part, we reconsider our own study on this topic and present an in-depth scenario analysis of the future impacts of ICT applications on GHG emissions. We conclude that forthcoming macroeconomic studies could strengthen the state of the art in environmental ICT impact modeling (1) by accounting for the dynamics of new ICT applications and their first-, second-, and third-order effects on a global scale, (2) by reflecting the error margins resulting from data uncertainty in the final results, and (3) by using scenario techniques to explore future uncertainty and its impacts on the results.

Rebound Effects of Progress In Information Technology

by Lorenz Hilty

Information technology (IT) is continuously making astounding progress in technical efficiency. The time, space,... more Information technology (IT) is continuously making astounding progress in technical efficiency. The time, space, material and energy needed to provide a unit of IT service have decreased by three orders of magnitude since the first personal computer (PC) was sold. However, it seems difficult for society to translate IT’s efficiency progress into progress in terms of individual, organizational or socio-economic goals. In particular it seems to be difficult for individuals to work more efficiently, for organizations to be more productive and for the socio-economic system to be more sustainable by using increasingly efficient IT. This article provides empirical evidence and potential explanations for this problem. Many counterproductive effects of IT can be explained economically by rebound effects. Beyond that, we conclude that the technological determinism adopted by decision-makers is the main obstacle in translating IT’s progress into non-technical goals.

Assessing the Human, Social, and Environmental Risks of Pervasive Computing

by Lorenz Hilty

The vision of Pervasive Computing is built on the assumption that computers will become part of everyday objects,... more The vision of Pervasive Computing is built on the assumption that computers will become part of everyday objects, augmenting them with information services and enhanced functionality. This article reports on the approach we have used to assess potential side effects of this development on human health and the environment, and the major risks we identified. Social risks such as the risk of conflicts between users and non-users of the technology were also included because of their potential indirect adverse health effects. Assessing a technological vision before it has materialized makes it necessary to deal with two types of uncertainty: first, the uncertainty of how fast and to what extent the technology will be taken up and how it will be used; second, the uncertainty of causal models connecting technology-related causes with potential health or environmental effects. Due to these uncertainties, quantitative methods to evaluate expected risks are inadequate. Instead, we developed a “risk filter” that makes it possible to rank risks according to a set of qualitative criteria based on the Precautionary Principle. As the overall result, it turned out that Pervasive Computing bears potential risks to health, society, and/or the environment in the following fields: Non-ionizing radiation, stress imposed on the user, restriction of consumers' and patients' freedom of choice, threats to ecological sustainability, and dissipation of responsibility in computer-controlled environments.

Gluten, Pills and Talk

by Mario Veen

Technology assessment as an analytic and democratic practice

by Frans W.A. Brom

Rinie van Est & Frans W.A. Brom; FINAL DRAFT Encyclopedia of Applied Ethics 2e  Chapter 10 on “Technology assessment”

Technology assessment (TA) is an analytic and democratic practice which aims to contribute to the timely formation of... more Technology assessment (TA) is an analytic and democratic practice which aims to contribute to the timely formation of public and political opinion on societal aspects of science and technology. The TA practice is constantly evolving. This article gives an overview of the current TA landscape by describing four TA modes of understanding and performing TA: classical TA, participatory TA, argumentative TA and constructive TA. These descriptions are guided by three themes: TA as an analytic enterprise inspired by different scientific disciplines, the democratic function of TA, and the practice of TA. Finally, it describes some future challenges of TA.

Keywords
argumentative TA, classical TA, constructive TA, democracy, ELSA, ethics, methods, parliamentary TA, participatory TA, policy analysis, political debate, public debate, societal aspects, TA, technology assessment

Biotechnology and Social Learning: An Empirical Analysis of the Dutch Animal Biotechnology Act

by Frans W.A. Brom

Über ubiquitäre IuK-Technik, Fernerkundung, Sicherheitsfragen und Erkenntnisinteressen

by Andreas Metzner-Szigeth

in: Lingner, Stephan; Rathgeber, Wolfgang (Eds.): Globale Fernerkundungssysteme und Sicherheit - Beiträge durch neue Sicherheitsdienstleistungen? Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler (Europäische Akademie) 2009, pp. 51-84

La gobernanza de la ciencia y la tecnología y el desafío del progreso, la vulnerabilidad y el desarollo sostenible

by Andreas Metzner-Szigeth

in: Innerarity, Daniel; Solana, Javier (Eds.): La humanidad amenazada: gobernar los riesgos globales, Barcelona (Ediciones Paidós) 2011, pp. 193-235

Este trabajo presentará una serie de cuatro breves tesis de gran importancia para aumentar el debate sobre la mejor... more Este trabajo presentará una serie de cuatro breves tesis de gran importancia para aumentar el debate sobre la mejor gobernanza de la ciencia mediante la cooperación de expertos inter y transdisciplinarios y la participación de los ciudadanos. Se abordará la esencia del progreso, el concepto de vulnerabilidad y el modelo de desarrollo sostenible al tiempo que se introducirá posteriormente un inspirador concepto marco de la evaluación de la tecnología.

Key Issues of Integrative Technology Assessment

by Andreas Metzner-Szigeth

in: Banse, Gerhard; Nelson, Gordon; Parodi, Oliver (Eds.): Sustainable Development - The Cultural Perspective, Berlin (Edition Sigma) 2011, pp. 77-108

This paper has been written with the intention to present some conceptual and programmatic considerations. The length... more This paper has been written with the intention to present some conceptual and programmatic considerations. The length of its complete title is therefore nothing less than an expression of the idea to pay attention to far-reaching and broad civilizational and paradigmatic connections instead of focussing on a single area of professional specialization.
In this way – and according to KISS, a well-known principle of great design that says “Keep It Simple and Straightforward” – four clusters of contents will be introduced and treated subsequently:
(1) “Progress”, because its shaping is indeed the central subject of governance of science and technology in general and of technology assessment (TA) in particular!
(2) “Vulnerability”, because that is the very challenge of our times!
(3) “Sustainable Development”, because that really answers the question of how to gain the future!
(4) “Governance of Science and Technology”, because evidently there is some discrepancy between a growing demand for a good governance of these issues and a lack of satisfying strategies and concepts of how to do that! Therefore – and because of the fact that technology assessment is of crucial importance for any ambitious governance approach – I would like to introduce a framework concept that I call “Integrative Technology Assessment” (ITA).
Moreover, and in order to develop my argument in a clear and understandable way, there will be composed four general theses on the line of the four points, one of each for “progress”, “vulnerability” and “sustainable development” plus one for the concluding general thesis.

Sozio-technische Szenarien für eine nachhaltigkeitsorientierte Technikentwicklung - Ein Instrument zur partizipativen Prüfung von Visionen und seine Grenzen

by Philipp Spath

2007 in: Bora, A. / Bröchler, S./ M. Decker (Hrsg.): "Technology Assessment in der Weltgesellschaft", Berlin: Edition Sigma: 501-510

Regulierungsfolgenabschätzung zum Bundesgesetz über die Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer (UIDG) (2010)

by Andreas Kuehn

Summary: https://www.aramis.admin.ch/Default.aspx?page=Texte&ProjectID=25024

See also: Spichiger, A. (2011). Was bringt die Identifikationsnummer den Unternehmen?. In: Die Volkswirtschaft 3/2011. URL: http://www.dievolkswirtschaft.ch/de/editions/201103/pdf/Spichiger.pdf

Am 20. Februar 2008 beauftragte der Bundesrat das EDI – nach Zustimmung zum Umsetzungskonzept für die Einführung der... more Am 20. Februar 2008 beauftragte der Bundesrat das EDI – nach Zustimmung zum Umsetzungskonzept für die Einführung der UID (Unternehmens-Identifikationsnummer) – ein entsprechendes Gesetz auszuarbeiten und die Nummer einzuführen. Das UIDG (UID-Gesetz) sieht vor, dass wichtige Register zwischen 2011 und Ende 2013 die UID gemäss UIDG einführen und weitere bis Ende 2015 dazu stossen werden. Am 31.12.2015 soll die Phase Systembau mit den wesentlichen Registern auf Stufe Bund, Kanton und Gemeinden beendet sein. [...]

Oratie ‘Thuis in de technologie’ (tekst en powerpoint)

by Frans W.A. Brom

Dr. Frans W.A. Brom heeft op 12 april 2011 de leerstoel Ethiek van Technology Assessment aan de Universiteit Utrecht aanvaard. Hij deed dit met het uitspreken van de oratie ‘Thuis in de Technologie’

Oratie ‘Thuis in de technologie’: wij leven in een technotoop, die onze individuele en sociale identiteit vormt. more Oratie ‘Thuis in de technologie’: wij leven in een technotoop, die onze individuele en sociale identiteit vormt.

Nadenken is urgent
“Wij leven in een technotoop”, zei Frans Brom in zijn oratie. “Dat wij in een technologische omgeving leven is niet zomaar een interessant gegeven waarover we vrijblijvend kunnen nadenken. Ik wil u vanmiddag laten zien dat het nadenken over de betekenis van onze technologische omgeving urgent is. Urgent omdat we er niet om heen kunnen. We begrijpen de vorming van onze individuele en sociale identiteit niet goed zonder onze technologische omgeving te doordenken.”

Ethische vragen
In zijn rede haalde hij vervolgens twee voorbeelden aan. De digitalisering van onze leefomgeving en de mogelijkheid tot Klimaat-engineering. Deze cases laten volgens Frans Brom zien dat de inrichting van die technologische omgeving ethische vragen oproept waarover maatschappelijk debat en politieke oordeelsvorming nodig is. Het is de taak van technology assessment om die discussie te stimuleren en te organiseren.

Designing a Technology Assessment post-graduation programme: experiences, limits and needs

by António B. Moniz

Paper provided by Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET-Research Center on Enterprise and Work Innovation, Faculty of Science and Technology in its series IET Working Papers Series with number 09/2010.

The post-graduation in the field of Technology Assessment (TA) is recent and that are several and different ways to be... more The post-graduation in the field of Technology Assessment (TA) is recent and that are several and different ways to be organised. Most experiences are related with the Masters diplom level (2nd cycle of graduation in high education). Just one in PhD level is explicit in the field of TA, and some other PhD courses include also TA topics in their programme structure. In this chapter we will analyse the problems related with the design of a post-graduation (MA, MSc or PhD) programme in the field of TA using as reference some international experiences. Hereby, the main conclusion seems to address labour market needs in the specialised knowledge of TA, of technology management or technology innovation. In this sense TA should be included as “minor” into post-graduation courses which may range from engineering disciplines to social sciences. As a graduation programme it can fill an expertise gap between technicians, engineers, scientists and the strategic decision makers or policy makers.

14. The transition towards sustainable production systems in Austria: a reflexive exercise?

by Philipp Spath

Book chapter in Voss/ Bauknecht/ Kemp (2006): Reflexive Governance