Upstream Public Engagement in Nanotechnology: Constraints and Opportunities. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krabbenborg, Lotte; Mulder, Henk A. J.
• Is Part Of: Science communication. Volume 37:Number 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 452
• Page End: 484
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: upstream public engagement -- institutional practices -- dialogical governance -- responsible research and innovation -- nanotechnology -- civil society; Social sciences -- Periodicals; Knowledge, Sociology of -- Periodicals; Communication in science -- Periodicals; Communication of technical information -- Periodicals; Communication in medicine -- Periodicals; Information scientifique -- Périodiques; Information technique -- Périodiques; Communication en sciences sociales -- Périodiques; Communication en médecine -- Périodiques; 300.14
• DOI: 10.1177/1075547015588601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1075-5470

Abstract

Upstream public engagement with new science and technology is considered important but challenging. This article shows how engagement events are embedded in broader institutional and cultural contexts. By studying two different cases of upstream engagement in nanotechnology, we demonstrate how existing institutional responsibilities and cultural repertoires contribute much to the productivity of actual engagement events. Insight into these wider world dynamics will help science communicators (or event organizers) foster reflection and deliberation among relevant actors about whether and how upstream public engagement can have an impact on the governance of new science and technology.