This report compiles the results and output gathered for each of the subtasks of GoNano Task 6.2: Information and guides for publics and other stakeholders to have a voice in nanotechnology research and innovation.
Deliverable 6.2 is part of the overall community and capacity building activities of GoNano. This deliverable specifically aimed to offer guidelines to citizens and other stakeholders who would like to have a voice in nanotechnology. To support citizens and stakeholders in the nanodebate, various output was developed, including a subtask report on exploring engagement opportunities for citizens and stakeholders, a public engagement database, ‘how to..’ guide on participating in the nanodebate, and a website section with easy to understand information about nanotechnology and results of the GoNano project.
For a details overvieuw of the various output please see D6.2 – Guidelines and information for citizens and CSOs
In summary
Mapping already available opportunities for public and professional stakeholders to have a say on the development of nanotechnology.
This first task focussed on mapping already available opportunities for public and professional stakeholders to have a say on the development of nanotechnology. GoNano reviewed 49 engagement initiatives (European projects, networks or platforms, and local projects and organisations) that aim to engage citizens and stakeholders with nanotechnologies (and emerging technologies more broadly) to map exisiting engagement opportunities in more detail. A key finding of the report is that concrete opportunities for citizens and CSOs to actively engage with nanotechnologies are relatively scarce, despite a plethora of public engagement initiatives. For those citizens and stakeholders interested in engaging with nanotechnology, suitable engagement opportunities can be hard to find. The report concludes that more engagement initiatives are needed that focus on the ’empowerment’ of citizens and stakeholders rather than on passive engagement. The responsive capacity of research and innovation needs to be enhanced in order to align research and innovation with the values, needs and expectations of society.
Please read the full subtask report here: Subtask 6.2 – Information and guides for citizens and CSOs
Developing an online resource database
Based on the findings of subtask report 6.2, GoNano developed an online public engagement database. The database lists engagement initiaitives that are currently inviting citizens and stakeholders. The list is not meant to be exhaustive, but gives a first indication of what is out there and how to get involved.
Click here for the public engagement database.
Developing guidelines for and citizens and CSOs who would like to engage with nanotechnologies
With the ‘How to..’ guide for citizens, GoNano aims to support citizens who would like to engage with nanotechnologies to express their own needs and concerns and ensure that their thoughts are taken into account in future developments. The guide offers a five-step approach which helps citizens define their interests, identify the right engagement opportunity, and become involved in nanotechnology research and development:
1. Define your purpose;
2. Find the place and community;
3. Get prepared;
4. Create together;
5. Reflect on the process and results.
Each step in this guide is supported by a brief summary of the step, followed by an example or exercise to help visualize and act as guidance through the step. For each stage there is a hint or advice based on the experience gained during the GoNano project. This also includes background information, tools, formats and inspiring ideas.
Click here for the ‘How to..’ guide.
Produce easy-to-understand information on nanotechnology and the results of the GoNano project
The findings from the GoNano project have been made available in a dedicated section on the project website to make it easier for citizens and societal stakeholders to understand the key concepts and possible developments of nanotechnology and support them to engage in research activities or in the public debate on nanotechnologies. This website section offers all the output developed as part of Task 6.2, but also includes relevant outputs from other GoNano work packages and external content. A brief summary of the website sections is given below; a full description is available directly on the website.
- The homepage of the section: ‘Join the nanodebate’ introduces the information available on the other pages. The sidebar at the right-hand side provides easy access to tools developed or citizens; the public engagement database
- The page: Nanotechnology in a nutshell presents easy to understand information on nanotechnology. This section briefly answers the question what is nanotechnology? and provides some examples of nanomaterials applications in commercial products. Supporting background material, including informative videoclips and brochures
- The page: Why might you care about nanotechnology gives a short introduction about the governance of nanotechnology. The videoclips and posters of future scenarios that GoNano developed are introduced as an example to help visualize future nanotechnology applications and raise questions on acceptability, sustainability and desirability that come with it.
- The page: Join in: engagement opportunities provides the public engagement database developed as discussed previously.
- The page: The GoNano approach summarises the aims, activities and main findings of the GoNano project. It provides a complete overview of the outcomes and results per work package, including the deliverables, toolkits, videoclips and the white papers.
Click here to visit the Join the nanodebate webapage
The full report can be found here D6.2 – Guidelines and information for citizens and CSOs
*The document may not be seen as an official deliverable of the GoNano project as it has not yet been approved by the European Commission