1 / 14

Nanotechnology and Societal Transformation

Nanotechnology and Societal Transformation. Michael M. Crow Daniel Sarewitz Columbia University. Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology NSF/NSTC’s NSET September 28-29, 2000. Current Policy Approach. Addresses: Conduct of S&T Products and processes of S&T Assumes:

berit
Download Presentation

Nanotechnology and Societal Transformation

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Nanotechnology and Societal Transformation Michael M. Crow Daniel Sarewitz Columbia University Societal Implications of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology NSF/NSTC’s NSET September 28-29, 2000

  2. Current Policy Approach • Addresses: • Conduct of S&T • Products and processes of S&T • Assumes: • All societal outcomes will be positive INPUTS Processes Products Outcomes

  3. Human Context for Technological Change • Usually not consensual • Winners and losers • Changing social structure

  4. Nanotechnology as a Unique Opportunity to Move From “Billiards” to “Ecosystems” Billiards Reactive, discontinuous, disruptive, and sequential Ecosystems Different sectors and activities continually co-evolve

  5. Interfaces Science Policy Outcomes Conduct of Science

  6. Societal Outcomes • Social equity • Distribution of the benefits of S&T • Social purpose • Goals we want to pursue or advance • Social and economic enterprises • Shape of institutions at the interface between technology and society

  7. Indications ofSocietal Transformation • GMOs controversy • Affordability of AIDS drugs • 40 million Americans without medical insurance • The aging of our population • Public school system/new knowledge economy • Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels

  8. Cycle Dynamics Education New skills Societal Outcomes Economic Outcomes New social structures POLICY New industries New institutions S&T Outcomes Conduct of Science Tech transfer Partnerships Knowledge transfer

  9. Studying the Science-Society Interface Analysis Enterprise Assessment Communication Technology Assessment

  10. Understanding the Dynamics of the Science-Society Interface • Analysis of past and current societal responses to transforming technologies • Comprehensive, real time assessment and monitoring of the nano S&T enterprise • Communication initiative to foster dialogue among scientists, technologists, policy-makers, the media, and the public • Constructive technology assessment process with appropriate participants

  11. Communication Media Developers Science Policy Public

  12. Research Agenda • Analysis • Case histories: how has society responded to technological advance? • Roles and relations between the media, academia, policy makers, institutions and cultural factors: what are the alternative trajectories of technology-induced social change? • Enterprise assessment • Track a database of important nano activities over time: what are the directions of research? What resources are used? Public and private sector activities? Publications and patents? Institutional roles?

  13. Research Agenda (cont’d) • Communication • Track and enhance processes by which nano diffuses from the lab to the outside world • Monitor how public attitudes evolve and how they feed back into the innovation system • Identify determinants of effective communication • Technology assessment • Map prospective innovation paths and develop metrics for measuring progress • Bring together researchers, policy makers, and the public to link innovation to decisions and social goals

  14. Goal • Integrate societal outcomes research with the R&D process in order to more successfully manage the interaction of new knowledge and innovation with society Science Policy Outcomes Conduct of Science

More Related