www.scienceshops.org

There is no structure of an organisation that can be seen as the ultimate construction. How science shops are organised and operate is highly dependent on their context. When establishing a network of science shops new contexts may add new organisation structures. Therefore the definition of science shops is a working definition. The term Science Shop should be considered a brand name, including all kind of organisations that fit in the definition.

Definition

A science shop provides independent, participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society.

Mission statement

Science shops use the term ’science’ in its broadest sense, incorporating social and human sciences, as well as natural, physical, engineering and technical sciences.

Science shops seek to:

• provide civil society with knowledge and skills through research and education
• provide their services on an affordable basis
• promote and support public access to and influence on science and technology
• create equitable and supportive partnerships with civil society organisations
• enhance understanding among policymakers and education and research institutions of the research and education needs of civil society
• enhance the transferrable skills and knowledge students, community representatives and researchers

Criteria

Science Shops in general have three criteria for accepting clients:

1. Clients should have no commercial objectives with their question, and the research results must become public (or ‘the question must be for the common good’);
2. Clients must be able to use the results of the research to achieve their mission (thus, scattered individual questions may not be accepted; but if necessary clients can also be assisted in applying the results);
3. Clients may not have the (full) financial means to acquire their research by other means (sometimes applicable questions from these clients are accepted as paid research or research at least subsidised by the client).

First ISA Forum of Sociology, 5-8 September 2008, Barcelona

Call for papers

RC23 seeks a dialogue among scholars to address the issues of science, technology and innovation (S, T & I), converging technologies; S, T & I in the Third World; S, T & I and gender; university research; and others in the hope of making a contribution to the understanding and guidance of S, T & I in the world.

For Forum updates, please visit:

ISA website: www.isa-sociology.org

RC23 website: www.dsa-ateneo.net/rc23

Technology Assessment in World Society: NTA2 – Second conference of the “TA Network”

First Announcement and Call for Papers

More details can be found at: www.itas.fzk.de/v/nta2/cfp_e.htm  

Aims and issues of the conference

If these assumptions are (completely or partially) correct, this must have an effect on the way how TA is able to fulfil its tasks in research and consultancy in such a changed and still changing world society. Against this background, the following questions are addressed:

Section 1: “Global” technology

To what extent have the genesis and use of technology changed? What is special about “global” TA? How does the group of actors in the development and production of technology expand? How is it possible to consider the differing social adaptation in different cultural contexts? What other criteria for “good” technology and appropriate processes of technology design can be formulated against the background of the diversity of standards?

Section 2: “Global” politics

What are the resulting consequences for the question of the addressees of TA? Who shall be advised in an increasingly globally organised world? What decision-making processes have to be considered by TA to ensure effective work? Who is able to design technology at the global level, and what governance models are related to this? Or do the “classic” addressees of TA like national parliaments and governments still remain important and perhaps only need “another form of” advice?

Section 3: TA in the “global” world

How will the traditional methodological fields of TA be influenced by the development towards a world society? If world society involves new addressees or generates new paths of technology development, this can lead to changes in the “TA toolbox”. Are there any new (global) cooperation patterns and forms of work that allow TA to operate in a globalised world? How can participatory procedures be implemented at a European or global level, particularly in view of the fact that civil society actors and NGOs have gained increasing influence and must be considered stronger in the opinion forming process. Does the global perspective lead to a strengthening of expert TA because it becomes easier to make statements of “international validity”, or does the diversity of scientific cultures involved have the opposite effect?

At the conference, these questions shall be addressed at the conceptual level, on the one hand, and on the basis of real case studies, on the other hand. The case studies shall be both “best” or “good practices” and shall also provide examples of how known TA concepts are coming under pressure of change through the development towards a world society.

Call for Papers

The conference consists of invited papers, submitted papers, and a poster session. The languages of the conference will be German and English.

Abstracts (max. 500 words) with indication of the address of the speaker and the intended section (technical sections 1 to 3 as listed above, or [junior] poster session) can be sent electronically to the organisers

Deadline for the submission of proposals is 9. June 2006.
Deadline for submissions has been extended till 7th of July 2006.

Notification about acceptance by the end of July.

Promotion of junior TA scientists

The conference particularly aims at promoting junior scientists and therefore will hold a poster session with young scientists (graduands, doctoral candidates) working in the field of technology assessment or on the conference theme.

Conference scholarships (travel and accommodation expenses) are available for doctoral candidates and young scientists (up to 5 postdoctoral years). To apply for such a scholarship, please send a short motivation letter and a CV together with the abstract (see: Call for papers).

The “TA network”

The German-language “Netzwerk TA” (TA Network) is an association of scientists and experts in the field of “technology assessment”. The aims of the network are to exchange information, to identify common research and advisory tasks, to initiate and support methodological developments, as well as to strengthen the role of TA in science and society. The network also serves as a platform for cooperations and joint actions. The “Netzwerk TA” website is available at http://www.netzwerk-ta.net