TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Meeting report: „Data Sharing – Datenkapitalismus by Default?“. Conference, 2023, Berlin, DE
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Why won’t water managers use new scientific computer models?: The co-production of a perceived science-practice gap
Full text linkThe uptake of scientific computer models in water management is challenging. Scientists often face calls to improve stakeholder engagement procedures. However, the involvement of representatives of water management agencies has been common practice in scientific projects for at least a decade. It is therefore questionable whether more stakeholder involvement would lead to greater use of scientific models in water management. This study suggests that computer modeling has historically developed differently in water science and water management. Scientific research has focused on continuous improvement of model process representation, while water management has emphasised usability. Today, the reliance on modeling software packages in water management, exacerbated by the dynamics in the field, mitigates against the adoption of new scientific modeling tools.The uptake of scientific computer models in water management is challenging. Scientists often face calls to improve stakeholder engagement procedures. However, the involvement of representatives of water management agencies has been common practice in scientific projects for at least a decade. It is therefore questionable whether more stakeholder involvement would lead to greater use of scientific models in water management. This study suggests that computer modeling has historically developed differently in water science and water management. Scientific research has focused on continuous improvement of model process representation, while water management has emphasised usability. Today, the reliance on modeling software packages in water management, exacerbated by the dynamics in the field, mitigates against the adoption of new scientific modeling tools
Meeting report: “17th Society and Materials Conference”. Conference, 2023, Karlsruhe, DE
Full text linkModeling for nano risk assessment and management: The development of integrated governance tools and the potential role of technology assessment
Full text linkIn nano risk governance, we observe a trend toward coupling and integrating a variety of computational models into integrated risk governance tools. This article discusses the development and design of such integrated tools as ‘nano risk governance imaginaries in the making.’ Using an illustrative example, the SUNDS tool, we show how the tool manifests conceptual shifts from risk to innovation governance, a technocratic evidence culture based on the quantification of risks, and an envisioned application in industrial innovation management. This conceptualization runs the risk of narrowing the view of nano risks and cementing the widely lamented democratic deficit in risk governance. We therefore conclude that the development and application of integrated governance tools are highly relevant for technology assessment (TA) and TA should actively engage in their development processes.In nano risk governance, we observe a trend toward coupling and integrating a variety of computational models into integrated risk governance tools. This article discusses the development and design of such integrated tools as ‘nano risk governance imaginaries in the making.’ Using an illustrative example, the SUNDS tool, we show how the tool manifests conceptual shifts from risk to innovation governance, a technocratic evidence culture based on the quantification of risks, and an envisioned application in industrial innovation management. This conceptualization runs the risk of narrowing the view of nano risks and cementing the widely lamented democratic deficit in risk governance. We therefore conclude that the development and application of integrated governance tools are highly relevant for technology assessment (TA) and TA should actively engage in their development processes
The politics of models: Socio-political discourses in modeling of energy transition and transnational trade policies
Full text linkIn this article, we discuss the (re)production of socio-political discourses in two modeling communities, energy transition and transnational trade. Methodologically, we build on bibliometric and qualitative analyses of academic articles. Our analyses show how models structure epistemic communities and are closely linked to specific discourses. The modeling of the energy transition is driven by and contributes to discourses on mitigating climate change and access to energy. Different trade models address either multilateral or regional trade, yet in each case favoring international trade. Overall, we illustrate how the ‘politics of models’ does not only concern their use at the science-policy interface, but is already inscribed in their development, application, and scientific exploitation. These analyses may help experts, policy makers, and the public to better assess the knowledge claims and evidence politics of computer modeling.In this article, we discuss the (re)production of socio-political discourses in two modeling communities, energy transition and transnational trade. Methodologically, we build on bibliometric and qualitative analyses of academic articles. Our analyses show how models structure epistemic communities and are closely linked to specific discourses. The modeling of the energy transition is driven by and contributes to discourses on mitigating climate change and access to energy. Different trade models address either multilateral or regional trade, yet in each case favoring international trade. Overall, we illustrate how the ‘politics of models’ does not only concern their use at the science-policy interface, but is already inscribed in their development, application, and scientific exploitation. These analyses may help experts, policy makers, and the public to better assess the knowledge claims and evidence politics of computer modeling
Nuclear waste as a socio-technical problem
Full text linkIn public discussion, high-level nuclear waste is often referred to as an exceptional environmental problem. It is indeed an exceptional problem, but not primarily because of the permanent threat that nuclear waste poses to future generations, as is usually argued. Its exceptionality rather stems from socio-technical factors that create deadlocks and dilemmas, thus hampering and delaying decision-making. This article provides an overview of major socio-technical issues pertaining to nuclear waste, including some that have been neglected in previous literature, and thus contributes to technology assessment in this field.In public discussion, high-level nuclear waste is often referred to as an exceptional environmental problem. It is indeed an exceptional problem, but not primarily because of the permanent threat that nuclear waste poses to future generations, as is usually argued. Its exceptionality rather stems from socio-technical factors that create deadlocks and dilemmas, thus hampering and delaying decision-making. This article provides an overview of major socio-technical issues pertaining to nuclear waste, including some that have been neglected in previous literature, and thus contributes to technology assessment in this field
Assessing the journey of technology hype in the field of quantum technology
Full text linkThe ‘second quantum revolution’ promises new technologies enabled by quantum physics and has been the subject of substantial hype. We show that while creating expectations has helped secure support for quantum research, their iterative effects can come to affect the field in concrete ways. These iterative impacts for quantum include emerging discussions about ethics and the delivery of promised outcomes. Such contestations could open up alternative quantum futures, but this will depend on how the ‘hype helix’ of iterative expectations unfolds.The ‘second quantum revolution’ promises new technologies enabled by quantum physics and has been the subject of substantial hype. We show that while creating expectations has helped secure support for quantum research, their iterative effects can come to affect the field in concrete ways. These iterative impacts for quantum include emerging discussions about ethics and the delivery of promised outcomes. Such contestations could open up alternative quantum futures, but this will depend on how the ‘hype helix’ of iterative expectations unfolds
Combining behavioral insights with artificial intelligence: New perspectives for technology assessment
Full text linkPolicy decisions concerning technology applications can have far-reaching societal consequences. Rationality-enhancing procedures are thus essential to ensure that such decisions are in the best interest of society. We propose a novel framework addressing this challenge. It combines a structured approach to decision-making, the mediating assessments protocol (MAP), with artificial intelligence (AI) methods to mitigate human bias and handle uncertainty in a normative manner. We introduce the steps for implementing MAP and discuss how it can be complemented and improved by AI methods such as dynamic programming, reinforcement learning and natural language processing. As a potential practical application, we consider the construction of a new wind park in a community and highlight critical aspects warranting special caution.Policy decisions concerning technology applications can have far-reaching societal consequences. Rationality-enhancing procedures are thus essential to ensure that such decisions are in the best interest of society. We propose a novel framework addressing this challenge. It combines a structured approach to decision-making, the mediating assessments protocol (MAP), with artificial intelligence (AI) methods to mitigate human bias and handle uncertainty in a normative manner. We introduce the steps for implementing MAP and discuss how it can be complemented and improved by AI methods such as dynamic programming, reinforcement learning and natural language processing. As a potential practical application, we consider the construction of a new wind park in a community and highlight critical aspects warranting special caution
