TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Challenges in communicating the future of high-level radioactive waste disposal: What future are we talking about?
Get PDFOf the three main time horizons specified in the German Repository Site Selection Act (the year 2031, 500 years after closure and one million years), the current public discourse largely neglects the “medium term”. However, many important choices will have to be made during this period. The article discusses different conceptions of time that could help to improve public understanding of the time horizons for high-level radioactive waste disposal and the decisions that still lie ahead.Of the three main time horizons specified in the German Repository Site Selection Act (the year 2031, 500 years after closure and one million years), the current public discourse largely neglects the “medium term”. However, many important choices will have to be made during this period. The article discusses different conceptions of time that could help to improve public understanding of the time horizons for high-level radioactive waste disposal and the decisions that still lie ahead
No time to waste: Exploring timeprints of radioactive waste management options in Belgium
Get PDFFollowing the work of Barbara Adam (1998) and Ulrike Felt (2016), we draw particular attention to ‘timeprints’ in the assessment and selection of radioactive waste management (RWM) options. Using the example of Belgium, we identify four different timeprints mobilized (un)consciously by stakeholders when assessing RWM options, namely trajectorism, promise economy, radioactive waste identity, and multi-situated timeprints. We show that each of these timeprints has a significant impact on the RWM option to be considered and actively determines future radioactive waste management pathways in the form of ‘tacit governance’.Following the work of Barbara Adam (1998) and Ulrike Felt (2016), we draw particular attention to ‘timeprints’ in the assessment and selection of radioactive waste management (RWM) options. Using the example of Belgium, we identify four different timeprints mobilized (un)consciously by stakeholders when assessing RWM options, namely trajectorism, promise economy, radioactive waste identity, and multi-situated timeprints. We show that each of these timeprints has a significant impact on the RWM option to be considered and actively determines future radioactive waste management pathways in the form of ‘tacit governance’
Meeting report: „Privatsphäre, Datenschutz, Gemeinwohl: Ethische, rechtliche und soziale Herausforderungen der Nutzung von Gesundheitsdaten für die Forschung“. Conference, 2022, Karlsruhe, DE (hybrid)
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Technology assessment at universities of applied sciences: On closing the gap between knowledge for action and implementation competence
Get PDFTechnology assessment (TA) has become an essential tool for dealing with wicked problems. TA institutions cover many areas of the research landscape; however, the question arises to what extent TA is incorporated by universities of applied sciences. These are supposed to act as local drivers of innovation in addition to providing education. This article examines the dissemination of TA approaches at technically oriented state universities of applied sciences in German-speaking countries. Using a systematic content analysis of online information, it provides an overview of the different manifestations. The aim is to review the current state of TA embedding and to identify needs for and potential opportunities through a thorough implementation of TA instruments in education and research.Technology assessment (TA) has become an essential tool for dealing with wicked problems. TA institutions cover many areas of the research landscape; however, the question arises to what extent TA is incorporated by universities of applied sciences. These are supposed to act as local drivers of innovation in addition to providing education. This article examines the dissemination of TA approaches at technically oriented state universities of applied sciences in German-speaking countries. Using a systematic content analysis of online information, it provides an overview of the different manifestations. The aim is to review the current state of TA embedding and to identify needs for and potential opportunities through a thorough implementation of TA instruments in education and research
Intergenerational justice starts now: Recognizing future generations in nuclear waste management
Get PDFIntergenerational justice is an inherent component of nuclear waste management. By looking at challenges of intergenerational justice at various stages of the repository siting process, the following thesis is discussed: Current generations can anticipate notions of intergenerational justice by applying high procedural standards to enable equitable distribution between generations and thus adequately recognize the needs of future generations. Applying high standards in this context means a constantly critical, reflexive, and open process, without bias or selfishness. This requires representative bodies such as the German Council of the Young Generation (‘Rat der jungen Generation’) that act as a bridge to future generations.Intergenerational justice is an inherent component of nuclear waste management. By looking at challenges of intergenerational justice at various stages of the repository siting process, the following thesis is discussed: Current generations can anticipate notions of intergenerational justice by applying high procedural standards to enable equitable distribution between generations and thus adequately recognize the needs of future generations. Applying high standards in this context means a constantly critical, reflexive, and open process, without bias or selfishness. This requires representative bodies such as the German Council of the Young Generation (‘Rat der jungen Generation’) that act as a bridge to future generations
Technology assessment in the STEM curriculum: Teaching responsible research and innovation skills to future innovators
Get PDFThis article describes and evaluates a novel approach to incorporating technology assessment (TA), responsible research and innovation as well as science and technology ethics into STEM curricula (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by the example of the online course ‘Good Chemistry – Methodological, Ethical, and Social Dimensions.’ Based on the evaluation of extensive student feedback, this article answers positively to three major reservations (Is it possible? Is it necessary? Does it make a difference?) that often preclude such contents from STEM curricula: first, understanding the normative dimensions of chemists’ professional agency is a skill, like many others, that requires adequate teaching and training; second, engaging with TA issues not only teaches discourse and critical thinking skills, but increases students’ professional competences to collaborate in highly interdisciplinary settings; third, though this is less evidential and needs to proof in the future, it may enhance chemists’ responsibility as drivers of innovation.This article describes and evaluates a novel approach to incorporating technology assessment (TA), responsible research and innovation as well as science and technology ethics into STEM curricula (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) by the example of the online course ‘Good Chemistry – Methodological, Ethical, and Social Dimensions.’ Based on the evaluation of extensive student feedback, this article answers positively to three major reservations (Is it possible? Is it necessary? Does it make a difference?) that often preclude such contents from STEM curricula: first, understanding the normative dimensions of chemists’ professional agency is a skill, like many others, that requires adequate teaching and training; second, engaging with TA issues not only teaches discourse and critical thinking skills, but increases students’ professional competences to collaborate in highly interdisciplinary settings; third, though this is less evidential and needs to proof in the future, it may enhance chemists’ responsibility as drivers of innovation
Integrated robot development for care: Conceptual and practical challenges using ReThiCare as an example
Get PDFInnovation agendas for care are increasingly flanked by demands for participatory and transdisciplinary approaches. However, especially in care robotics, it is difficult to shift the focus to early involvement of people and lifeworlds. We present the integrated methodology of a care robotics project and introduce inter- and transdisciplinary steps that help open up the development process even in an early project phase and adapt goals for robotic concepts to needs. We then discuss these steps in terms of their conceptual and practical research challenges.Innovation agendas for care are increasingly flanked by demands for participatory and transdisciplinary approaches. However, especially in care robotics, it is difficult to shift the focus to early involvement of people and lifeworlds. We present the integrated methodology of a care robotics project and introduce inter- and transdisciplinary steps that help open up the development process even in an early project phase and adapt goals for robotic concepts to needs. We then discuss these steps in terms of their conceptual and practical research challenges
