This report consists of a literature review where issues of gender, culture and communication is investigated, followed by an analysis in which the public current discourse around nanotechnology is mapped.
Part of the GoNano objectives are to create an engagement process which is cognisant of gender, diversity, culture and communication traditions across Europe. By being aware of what aspects of gender, culture, diversity and communication methods affect public discourse and public opinion, we can engage the public in a more immediate and significant way, and thereby develop a better and more effective communication and consultation methodology. This report is divided into two parts, where the first part consists of a literature review where these issues of gender, culture and communication is investigated. The second part is an analysis of societal debates, where online tools are used for harvesting, mapping and analysing social data on social media and websites on national debates in five European countries –the Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands and Spain
Read the full report here: D1.2- Understanding the role of culture, gender and communication traditions and their implications for enagagement methodologies communication and dissemination
In summary
Part of the GoNano objectives are to create an engagement process which is cognisant of gender, diversity, culture and communication traditions across Europe. This engagement process will inform future nanotechnology development, by ways of public discourse and methodology development, as well as co-creation. In order to adequately align nanotechnology Research and Innovation with societal needs, it is important to look at societal issues such as gender, culture, and diversity.
These areas of focus present us with an opportunity to get a deeper insight into what motivates opinions, thoughts, needs, values and concerns — are these the same, or are there differences between or within various groups? Does gender have any impact on how values, needs and concerns around nanotechnology are shaped; does demographic diversity influence such concerns? What information and knowledge can we glean from looking into divergences of opinions and differences in discourse? What can we gain from increased awareness and focus on these issues?
This report is divided into two parts, where the first part consists of a literature review where these issues of gender, culture and communication is investigated. The second part is an analysis of societal debates, where online tools are used for harvesting, mapping and analysing social data on social media and websites on national debates in five European countries –the Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands and Spain.
Conclusion
The findings from the data-mapping exercise showed that organisations have a very important role to play in disseminating information and building trust with the general public on topics like nanotechnology, and if the aim is to start a dialogue, dissemination needs to be both one-way and two-way in order to have an impact beyond those who already have an interest in the issue at hand. Public opinion can be influenced and change from a generally positive attitude towards nanotechnology to a hostile and negative perception –it is only by having a solid, facts-based communication channel that is effective in its reach that this can be avoided. In addition to this, the literature review informed us of how the lay public form opinions, how they are influenced, how they assess risk, and how gender and diversity play out in this area.
Read the full report here: D1.2- Understanding the role of culture, gender and communication traditions and their implications for enagagement methodologies communication and dissemination