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.

Pål Strandbakken is a sociologist currently working as a researcher at SIFO Consumption Research Norway, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway. He has also worked on the project Alternative Future from 1988 to 1992 for the Norwegian Parliament. His current research interests are environmental sociology, ELSA aspects of nanotechnology, product durability, and science and technology studies.

Gerd Scholl is an economist and an independent consultant. Formerly, he worked as a senior researcher at the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) in Berlin. His main areas of interest include sustainable consumption and production, sustainable marketing and consumers, and new technologies.

Eivind Stø is a political scientist and he retired as a research director from the National Institute for Consumer Research in Norway. His main areas of interest include the sociology of consumption, sustainable production and consumption, and consumer complaints.