This report describes how a “societal incubator” could contribute to embedding promising new technologies within society. A societal incubator is a gathering place for collective learning processes at which all parties involved get to know one another’s opinions and motives better.
Contents
Foreword
Part I
Design of a societal incubator
A societal incubator for promising (nano)technologies.
- The concept of a societal incubator
- Roadmap of activities within a societal incubator
- Script for the stakeholder workshops
- Requirements and rules
- Towards public acceptance and beyond
Part II
1 Introduction
- Reason for this study
- Four kinds of uncertainty when discussing nanotechnology
- How NanoNextNL deals with these uncertainties
- Questions to be answered by this study
2 A first look at the desirability and form of the societal incubator
- Study of the literature and interviews with experts
- Interviews with stakeholders
- Waiting games
- The potential functions and limitations of a societal incubator
- The organisation of a societal incubator
- Summary of the main findings
3 Roadmap for a societal incubator focussing on a specific product.
- Towards a socially acceptable product with added value
- A promising product as starting poin
- Public acceptance and added value as an ideal end result
- Three crucial steps in a societal incubator process
- Information and interaction
- Analysis
- Continue or discontinue?
- Script for an incubator workshop pilot
4 Societal incubator in action: an initial experiment
- 4.1 Main points for consideration when discussing the case
- 4.2 Lessons for improving the collective learning process
5 Conclusions
- 5.1 The societal incubator as a viable concept
- 5.2 The agenda for a societal incubator
- 5.3 Institutionalising a societal incubator
Bibliography
Appendix: Case selection
Acknowledgements
About the authors
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