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MIoIR
Nano S&T and society: discussing the
engagement of social scientists
Philippe Larédo
Universities of Paris-Est and Manchester
At
Third International Dialogue on Responsible R&D of
nanotechnology
Brussels, March 11-12, 2008
Scientific Developments (1)
The common wisdom: breakthrough, frontier or
transformative science, built upon
- new equipment to work at the nano level
- reinforced interdisciplinary work
Business as usual? Or
- new organisations: Mesa+, Minatec…
- new facilities: e.g. US NNIN, 5 DOE labs…
- new geographical concentrations?
--> need for research about production situations in
nano S&T at the level of labs, organisations and
global dynamics
183
The question raised
Objective: discussing the global networking of social
scientists
A preliminary interrogation: how have social scientists
been involved in such arena?
My understanding of the issue: should there be policy
cooperation (as accounted for in sessions 1 & 2)?
The approach taken: look for 3 major issues highlighted
by the recent EC call for an observatory: scientific
developments, market unfolding, social impacts
Scientific developments (2)
What situation for social science research? The
example of global dynamics
In the US NSF centre + nanobank, In Europe,
PRIME project agglomerating national investments
Exchanges in terms of methods & results, including
through winter schools
… and a multiplication of efforts: DOE, European
Observatory, OECD programme, plus various
national developments
--> Which coordination at stake? Agents only? Or also
principals?