TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Careful handling of marine plastic litter: Technology assessment and care
Full text linkWaste is a core concern of today’s societies. A prominent example is marine plastic litter, which has devastating impacts on ocean ecosystems. But: How can technology assessment (TA) support a careful handling of plastic waste in the sea? And what can care concepts contribute to the practice of TA in this context? In this article, I show that care concepts can help understand the complexity of waste management as well as the environments involved, regulation processes, and technical innovations. Moreover, care concepts could benefit TA practice by sensitizing it not only to cultural, regional, and global concerns, but also to the distribution of responsibility and marginalization processes.Waste is a core concern of today’s societies. A prominent example is marine plastic litter, which has devastating impacts on ocean ecosystems. But: How can technology assessment (TA) support a careful handling of plastic waste in the sea? And what can care concepts contribute to the practice of TA in this context? In this article, I show that care concepts can help understand the complexity of waste management as well as the environments involved, regulation processes, and technical innovations. Moreover, care concepts could benefit TA practice by sensitizing it not only to cultural, regional, and global concerns, but also to the distribution of responsibility and marginalization processes
Meeting report: „Zwischen Hassrede, Framing und generativer Künstlicher Intelligenz. Medien und Sprache aus ethischer Perspektive“. Conference, 2025, Tutzing, DE
Full text linkBeyond short-termism: Strategies and perspectives for the long-term governance of socio-technical change
Full text linkThis TATuP Special topic aims to deepen our understanding of how societies can effectively navigate the challenges posed by socio-technical transformations by developing forwardthinking, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable governance practices. In particular, we invite authors to explore the multiple temporal dimensions inherent in long-term governance (LTG) approaches, highlighting the critical role of time, timing, and temporality in shaping decision-making processes. Furthermore, we would like to emphasize the role of technology assessment (TA) in informing such processesto better address persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in rapidly evolving technological landscapes. We welcome interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions, ranging from conceptual and theoretical analyses to empirical case studies. This TATuP Special topic aims to deepen our understanding of how societies can effectively navigate the challenges posed by socio-technical transformations by developing forwardthinking, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable governance practices. In particular, we invite authors to explore the multiple temporal dimensions inherent in long-term governance (LTG) approaches, highlighting the critical role of time, timing, and temporality in shaping decision-making processes. Furthermore, we would like to emphasize the role of technology assessment (TA) in informing such processesto better address persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in rapidly evolving technological landscapes. We welcome interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions, ranging from conceptual and theoretical analyses to empirical case studies.
From an ethics of deficiency to an ethics of abundance: Convivial technologies in care
Full text linkThe paradigm of humans as ‘deficient beings’ legitimizes technological innovations aimed at compensating for presumed human deficits. In care technologies, this becomes manifest in prioritizing automation and efficiency, while relational and participatory aspects are neglected. This article argues for a shift from deficit-oriented framings to an ethics of abundance and conviviality. Drawing on empirical examples such as humanoid care robots and DIY assistive tools, we illustrate how convivial approaches can support relational care practices. Concludingly, we discuss concrete options for the design of care technologies at the micro level (e.g., co-design) and at the macro level (cultural shift toward conviviality) to create infrastructures that focus on relationality, collective well-being, and resource efficiency.The paradigm of humans as ‘deficient beings’ legitimizes technological innovations aimed at compensating for presumed human deficits. In care technologies, this becomes manifest in prioritizing automation and efficiency, while relational and participatory aspects are neglected. This article argues for a shift from deficit-oriented framings to an ethics of abundance and conviviality. Drawing on empirical examples such as humanoid care robots and DIY assistive tools, we illustrate how convivial approaches can support relational care practices. Concludingly, we discuss concrete options for the design of care technologies at the micro level (e.g., co-design) and at the macro level (cultural shift toward conviviality) to create infrastructures that focus on relationality, collective well-being, and resource efficiency
Value added, value displaced: Addressing sustainability in 6G developments through key value indicators
Full text linkIn the anticipated transition to 6G technologies, their impact on sustainability will be of central importance. To assess these impacts, an innovative approach based on key value indicators (KVIs) is proposed that takes into account the multiple dimensions of sustainability. This includes the direct impact of the technology (e.g., via its ecological footprint) as well as its indirect impacts on societal, environmental, and economic sustainability in various sectors. This article critically reflects on the formation and application of KVIs as a metric by which to assess sustainability in 6G developments. It suggests the addition of technology assessment as a practical means to understand and assess the equity implications of 6G design, working alongside stakeholders and building on existing critical technology studies to create value-based socio-technical ecosystems.In the anticipated transition to 6G technologies, their impact on sustainability will be of central importance. To assess these impacts, an innovative approach based on key value indicators (KVIs) is proposed that takes into account the multiple dimensions of sustainability. This includes the direct impact of the technology (e.g., via its ecological footprint) as well as its indirect impacts on societal, environmental, and economic sustainability in various sectors. This article critically reflects on the formation and application of KVIs as a metric by which to assess sustainability in 6G developments. It suggests the addition of technology assessment as a practical means to understand and assess the equity implications of 6G design, working alongside stakeholders and building on existing critical technology studies to create value-based socio-technical ecosystems
Decolonizing technology assessment: Towards a radical transformation of the modern world
Full text linkThis research article makes a conceptual contribution to decolonizing technology assessment (TA) by highlighting the persistence of colonial relations, not only between nations but also between different ways of knowing and being. Beyond the modern, these ways are often categorized as Indigenous, traditional, vernacular, artisanal and local. Against many such ways, the modern world has enacted colonial relations of superiority and supremacy, control and domination, as well as extraction and appropriation. To help transform these globally extensive relations, we call to decolonize TA through radical care for the social-material bases of colonially marginalized ways of being and knowing. This means that TA should enable refusals of modern innovations if they are likely to damage those social-material bases. Furthermore, radical care in TA means practicing solidarity with decolonial movements that directly confront entrenched colonial relations behind modern concentrations of power and privilege. We support our arguments with brief examples from agriculture.This research article makes a conceptual contribution to decolonizing technology assessment (TA) by highlighting the persistence of colonial relations, not only between nations but also between different ways of knowing and being. Beyond the modern, these ways are often categorized as Indigenous, traditional, vernacular, artisanal and local. Against many such ways, the modern world has enacted colonial relations of superiority and supremacy, control and domination, as well as extraction and appropriation. To help transform these globally extensive relations, we call to decolonize TA through radical care for the social-material bases of colonially marginalized ways of being and knowing. This means that TA should enable refusals of modern innovations if they are likely to damage those social-material bases. Furthermore, radical care in TA means practicing solidarity with decolonial movements that directly confront entrenched colonial relations behind modern concentrations of power and privilege. We support our arguments with brief examples from agriculture
Technology or practices of care first?: Technology assessment in the tension between ‘technology push’ and managing socio-technological futures
Full text linkThe article underscores the crucial role of technology assessment (TA) in balancing technological development with care principles. While TA integrates care-based approaches, it is evident that these efforts alone are not sufficient to promote truly ‘caring’ societies. Technological solutions are often insufficiently tailored to the specific needs of users and the social contexts of care, creating significant tensions. The article therefore argues for a ‘care-sensitive’ TA that not only ensures technological robustness and adaptability but also allows continuous ‘tinkering’ to refine technologies in dynamic care settings. A reciprocal, contextual approach benefits both caregivers and recipients by embedding technology into care practices rather than subordinating care to technological imperatives.The article underscores the crucial role of technology assessment (TA) in balancing technological development with care principles. While TA integrates care-based approaches, it is evident that these efforts alone are not sufficient to promote truly ‘caring’ societies. Technological solutions are often insufficiently tailored to the specific needs of users and the social contexts of care, creating significant tensions. The article therefore argues for a ‘care-sensitive’ TA that not only ensures technological robustness and adaptability but also allows continuous ‘tinkering’ to refine technologies in dynamic care settings. A reciprocal, contextual approach benefits both caregivers and recipients by embedding technology into care practices rather than subordinating care to technological imperatives
Critical perspectives in technology assessment: On the relevance of care for sustainability transformations
Full text linkIn the introduction to the Special topic, we highlight the importance of exploring concepts, approaches, and practices of care in order to give new impetus to technology assessment and to unlock the potential of such approaches for a socio-ecological transformation toward critical-emancipatory sustainability. The introduction also contains a brief description of each article.In the introduction to the Special topic, we highlight the importance of exploring concepts, approaches, and practices of care in order to give new impetus to technology assessment and to unlock the potential of such approaches for a socio-ecological transformation toward critical-emancipatory sustainability. The introduction also contains a brief description of each article