Public Participation in Nanotechnology Workshop: An Initial Dialogue
Approximately 175 people, from a broad spectrum of organizations, government, industry, media, and academia attended a workshop on Public Participation in Nanotechnology on May 30-31, 2006 in Arlington, Va. In an initial dialogue on the subject, participants learned about and discussed possible subjects for and approaches to engaging the public on nanotechnology-related issues.
The workshop was sponsored by the Nanoscale Science, Engineering and Technology Subcommittee, and organized by the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) and the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD).
The NNI recognizes that input from citizens is helpful in effective decision-making. The workshop's proceedings are being synthesized into a report that will be made available publicly.
Public Participation Materials (all PDF files)
- Workshop Agenda
- Workshop Agenda at a Glance
- Participant List
- Speaker Bios
- Presenter and Panel Member Abstracts
- Example Public Participation Models
May 30, 2006
- Carl Batt, Cornell University, Nanotechnology Primer
- Carolyn Lukensmeyer, AmericaSpeaks, Why Do Public Participation?
- David Guston, Arizona State University, What Do We Want to Learn from Public Participation in Nanotechnology?
- Rosalyn Berne, University of Virginia, The Ethical Dimensions of Public Dialogue in Nanotechnology
- David Ropeik, Harvard School of Public Health, Nanotechnology and Risk Perception
- Douglas Sarno, The Perspectives Group, Best Practices and Processes for Public Participation
- Barbara Herr Harthorn, University of California, Santa Barbara, How Do We Identify the Publics To Be Engaged in Nanotechnology?
- Dietram Scheufele, University of Wisconsin-Madison, What Do We Know About Public Opinion?
- Douglas Sarno, The Perspectives Group, Best Practices and Processes for Public Participation
- Barbara Herr Harthorn, University of California, Santa Barbara, How Do We Identify the Publics To Be Engaged in Nanotechnology?
- Dietram Scheufele, University of Wisconsin-Madison, What Do We Know About Public Opinion?
Nanotechnology Primer
Panel 1. Why Participation?
Luncheon Speaker
Panel 2. Planning for Public Participation
Panel 2. Planning for Public Participation
May 31, 2006
- Rob Semper, The Exploratorium, Engaging the Public in Science and Technology
- Larry Bell, Museum of Science, Boston, National Informal Science Education Network
- Carl Batt, Cornell University
- Cynthia Needham, ICAN Productions, Nanotechnology: Small Matters!
- Kathy Hudson, Johns Hopkins University Berman Bioethics Institute, Genetic Town Halls
- Tom Beirele, Ross & Associates, Online Democracy
- Vence Bonham, Education and Community Involvement Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Community-Based Forums
- Carolyn Lukensmeyer, AmericaSpeaks, 21st Century Town Meetings
- Chris Toumey, University of South Carolina, Citizens Schools
- Leslie Bourquin, Michigan State University, Extension Service Outreach
- Phil Macnaghten, Lancaster University, Nanotechnology and 'Upstream' Public Engagement in the UK