TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Comparing two constellation analyses: Insights from the development of weeding robots and autonomous shuttles
Full text linkConstellation analysis is a bridging concept for transdisciplinary strategy development. This article compares how constellation analysis was applied in two projects to map strategies for establishing new socio-technical constellations. The focus is on comparing the methodological approach and the question of how certain decisions affected the potential for strategy development and knowledge integration. The results show that the constellation analysis in both projects facilitated the integration of different perspectives as well as strategy development. In one project, an analytical focus on the project goals and project duration enabled a better understanding of the roles and tasks of the project partners and the adaptation of strategies to the current state of technology. In the other project, constellation analysis was used for strategy development beyond the project context and for knowledge transfer.Constellation analysis is a bridging concept for transdisciplinary strategy development. This article compares how constellation analysis was applied in two projects to map strategies for establishing new socio-technical constellations. The focus is on comparing the methodological approach and the question of how certain decisions affected the potential for strategy development and knowledge integration. The results show that the constellation analysis in both projects facilitated the integration of different perspectives as well as strategy development. In one project, an analytical focus on the project goals and project duration enabled a better understanding of the roles and tasks of the project partners and the adaptation of strategies to the current state of technology. In the other project, constellation analysis was used for strategy development beyond the project context and for knowledge transfer
Meeting report: “An Amazon for workers? Visioneering alternatives for digitalized logistics work”. Workshop, 2025, Leipzig, DE
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Prognostic uncertainty and accountability, moral uncertainty and ‘value lock-in’: Three epistemological challenges for long-term governance and their ethical implications
Full text linkThis article discusses long-term governance from an epistemological and ethical perspective. It focuses on three epistemological challenges for long-term governance and their profound ethical implications. The first challenge lies at the intersection of prognostic uncertainty about the distant future and the assignment of accountability to policymakers in the present. On what basis should policymakers be held accountable for their decisions if the long-term effects are hardly predictable given the knowledge available at the time of decision? The second challenge is moral uncertainty—not uncertainty about facts, but about which ethical theory to follow in decision-making and how to interpret it. Finally, the concept of ‘value lock-in’ and its epistemological challenges in relation to long-term governance are explained. The article concludes that such challenges deserve considerable further research attention because of their implications for effective long-term governance.This article discusses long-term governance from an epistemological and ethical perspective. It focuses on three epistemological challenges for long-term governance and their profound ethical implications. The first challenge lies at the intersection of prognostic uncertainty about the distant future and the assignment of accountability to policymakers in the present. On what basis should policymakers be held accountable for their decisions if the long-term effects are hardly predictable given the knowledge available at the time of decision? The second challenge is moral uncertainty—not uncertainty about facts, but about which ethical theory to follow in decision-making and how to interpret it. Finally, the concept of ‘value lock-in’ and its epistemological challenges in relation to long-term governance are explained. The article concludes that such challenges deserve considerable further research attention because of their implications for effective long-term governance
Electrochemical technologies for deep decarbonization?: A heterodox technology assessment
Full text linkIncreasingly, electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies are considered key enablers of a deep decarbonization of society. However, given the real possibility that these technologies may delay rather than advance climate action, it is crucial that policymakers, industry, and researchers actively engage in developing principles for more responsible or ‘convivial’ use of these technologies. We demonstrate how current electrochemical research and innovation in green hydrogen and CO2 utilization is embedded in orthodox political-economic discourses and infrastructures. As part of a technology assessment based on Zoellick and Bisht’s (2018) degrowth perspective, we explore examples of electrochemical innovation that could fit heterodox political-economic scenarios and present approaches for future interdisciplinary research on convivial electrochemical innovation.Increasingly, electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies are considered key enablers of a deep decarbonization of society. However, given the real possibility that these technologies may delay rather than advance climate action, it is crucial that policymakers, industry, and researchers actively engage in developing principles for more responsible or ‘convivial’ use of these technologies. We demonstrate how current electrochemical research and innovation in green hydrogen and CO2 utilization is embedded in orthodox political-economic discourses and infrastructures. As part of a technology assessment based on Zoellick and Bisht’s (2018) degrowth perspective, we explore examples of electrochemical innovation that could fit heterodox political-economic scenarios and present approaches for future interdisciplinary research on convivial electrochemical innovation
Long-term urban microgrid design: Socio-spatial resilience to promote energy democracy
Full text linkThis research article argues that long-term considerations for sociotechnical resilience in urban microgrid design should include socio-spatial dimensions and energy democracy as key concepts. Referring to Otto Neurath and ‘Red Vienna’ of the 1920s this article uses historical analogy as a heuristic tool to open up alternatives and self-reflective perspectives for policy considerations. It points to potential negative effects of ‘energy gerrymandering’ on urban energy democracy, i.e. the setting of spatial microgrid boundaries with a bias merely on grounds of economic, or technological efficiency.This research article argues that long-term considerations for sociotechnical resilience in urban microgrid design should include socio-spatial dimensions and energy democracy as key concepts. Referring to Otto Neurath and ‘Red Vienna’ of the 1920s this article uses historical analogy as a heuristic tool to open up alternatives and self-reflective perspectives for policy considerations. It points to potential negative effects of ‘energy gerrymandering’ on urban energy democracy, i.e. the setting of spatial microgrid boundaries with a bias merely on grounds of economic, or technological efficiency
