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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.

1. The concept of a societal incubator
2. Roadmap of activities within a societal incubator
3. Script for the stakeholder workshops
4. Requirements and rules
5. 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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