TATuP – Zeitschrift für Technikfolgenabschätzung in Theorie und Praxis
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Whose future?: Epistemic challenges to the collective ‘we’ in long-term governance
Full text linkBuilding on insights from Science & Technology Studies and epistemology, this article critically examines the epistemic underpinnings of long-term governance (LTG), particularly its implicit assumptions about temporality, collective agency, and the perception of issues that shape governance practices. I identify three key challenges: (i) the tendency to conceive of futures as discrete endpoints rather than relational processes, (ii) the epistemic and political implications of an anticipatory ‘we’ that privileges dominant narratives while marginalizing others, and (iii) the largely unconsidered epistemic structures that implicitly determine what is perceived as imaginable futures. Addressing these challenges, I conclude by considering whether alternative conceptual frameworks that foreground contextuality and plurality might offer a more differentiated approach to LTG.Building on insights from Science & Technology Studies and epistemology, this article critically examines the epistemic underpinnings of long-term governance (LTG), particularly its implicit assumptions about temporality, collective agency, and the perception of issues that shape governance practices. I identify three key challenges: (i) the tendency to conceive of futures as discrete endpoints rather than relational processes, (ii) the epistemic and political implications of an anticipatory ‘we’ that privileges dominant narratives while marginalizing others, and (iii) the largely unconsidered epistemic structures that implicitly determine what is perceived as imaginable futures. Addressing these challenges, I conclude by considering whether alternative conceptual frameworks that foreground contextuality and plurality might offer a more differentiated approach to LTG
Deeply sustainable technologies: Beyond extractivism, exploitation, and exclusion
Full text linkThis TATuP Special topic includes contributions that scrutinize the feasibility of deeply sustainable Technology informed by heterodox conceptions of technology. The articles discuss what contemporary societies might Need or even expect from technology assessment in a search for ‘deeply sustainable’ socio-technical innovation.This TATuP Special topic includes contributions that scrutinize the feasibility of deeply sustainable Technology informed by heterodox conceptions of technology. The articles discuss what contemporary societies might Need or even expect from technology assessment in a search for ‘deeply sustainable’ socio-technical innovation
The two concepts of ‘social’: On in_direct relations in socio-ecological transformation processes
Full text linkThe idea presented here is that there should be a clear-cut distinction between the two concepts of ‘social’ in the discussions about socio-ecological transformations and sustainability. The ‘social’ of relations within society is categorically different from that of society-nature relations. While the latter concern direct environmental design through technologies, the former refer to indirect environmental impacts of economic, political or cultural activities. This has far-reaching consequences in analytical and transformative terms. Analytically, competing social theories need to be combined. From a transformative perspective on socio-ecological constellations, the indirect connections and translations between the two modes of social relations must be taken into account.The idea presented here is that there should be a clear-cut distinction between the two concepts of ‘social’ in the discussions about socio-ecological transformations and sustainability. The ‘social’ of relations within society is categorically different from that of society-nature relations. While the latter concern direct environmental design through technologies, the former refer to indirect environmental impacts of economic, political or cultural activities. This has far-reaching consequences in analytical and transformative terms. Analytically, competing social theories need to be combined. From a transformative perspective on socio-ecological constellations, the indirect connections and translations between the two modes of social relations must be taken into account
Data diaries: Self-reported chronicles on online health platforms and the challenges for technology assessment
Full text linkThis research article explores the ethical, social, and economic implications of online health platforms that promote participatory models of data collection and use. These platforms, often hailed as enablers for democratization of healthcare, also raise significant concerns about privacy and the commodification and exploitation of data. Based on qualitative interviews and a literature review, this study examines how such platforms influence global healthcare dynamics. While these platforms foster user empowerment, they also create environments where new forms of surveillance may emerge. This article emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns through rigorous technology assessment, particularly in regions governed by strict data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. By examining the socio-ethical challenges posed by these platforms, the study identifies ways to ensure that the benefits of participatory platforms are distributed equitably and ethically.This research article explores the ethical, social, and economic implications of online health platforms that promote participatory models of data collection and use. These platforms, often hailed as enablers for democratization of healthcare, also raise significant concerns about privacy and the commodification and exploitation of data. Based on qualitative interviews and a literature review, this study examines how such platforms influence global healthcare dynamics. While these platforms foster user empowerment, they also create environments where new forms of surveillance may emerge. This article emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns through rigorous technology assessment, particularly in regions governed by strict data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. By examining the socio-ethical challenges posed by these platforms, the study identifies ways to ensure that the benefits of participatory platforms are distributed equitably and ethically
Book review: Warner, John (2025): More than words. How to think about writing in the age of AI
Full text linkTechnology assessment in ‘imperialist ruins’?: Towards solidarity, conviviality, and care
Full text linkDo we need to reconsider technology assessment (TA) scholarship, practice and institutions when values such as human-ecological sufficiency, intra- and intergenerational justice, solidarity, conviviality and care are deeply acknowledged? In line with the previous two Special topics of TATuP this year, this section addresses this challenging question head-on. In this introductory piece, we outline some of the distinct challenges facing TA in the 21st century and discuss options, but also emerging issues regarding heterodox, yet timely approaches to TA. In terms of conceptual approaches, we draw on Andrea Vetter’s recent work on ‘convivial technology’, as well as earlier alternative conceptions of technology. Our ambition is to foster a dialogue within and beyond the TA community about what contemporary societies might need or even expect from TA, including concrete adjustments that some might call for while others might warn against.Do we need to reconsider technology assessment (TA) scholarship, practice and institutions when values such as human-ecological sufficiency, intra- and intergenerational justice, solidarity, conviviality and care are deeply acknowledged? In line with the previous two Special topics of TATuP this year, this section addresses this challenging question head-on. In this introductory piece, we outline some of the distinct challenges facing TA in the 21st century and discuss options, but also emerging issues regarding heterodox, yet timely approaches to TA. In terms of conceptual approaches, we draw on Andrea Vetter’s recent work on ‘convivial technology’, as well as earlier alternative conceptions of technology. Our ambition is to foster a dialogue within and beyond the TA community about what contemporary societies might need or even expect from TA, including concrete adjustments that some might call for while others might warn against
Book review: Uhle, Christian (2024): Künstliche Intelligenz und echtes Leben. Philosophische Orientierung für eine gute Zukunft
Full text linkMeeting report: “Journalism’s Impact on Public Trust in Science”. Workshop, 2025, Berlin, DE
Full text linkTime, timing, and conflicting temporalities in experimental urban mobility governance
Full text linkIn this article, I explore the role of experiments in urban mobility governance. I ask to what extent they are responses to the challenges of coexisting timeframes and temporalities and what challenges the latter pose for experiments. My analysis is based on field visits and interviews with urban administrations and public transport providers in Copenhagen, Lisbon, and Madrid. My results show that urban administrations use experimentation as a form of reflexive, transformative governance. Public transport providers use experiments to navigate tensions between rapid regulatory changes and technological innovation and their long-lived infrastructure. Both actor groups stressed the importance of disruptions as natural experiments. Urban administrations used disruptions for experimentation to fast-track approved but difficult-to-implement projects. The temporary nature of experiments can pose a risk: It makes them vulnerable to political attacks. To mitigate backlash, good timing is critical.In this article, I explore the role of experiments in urban mobility governance. I ask to what extent they are responses to the challenges of coexisting timeframes and temporalities and what challenges the latter pose for experiments. My analysis is based on field visits and interviews with urban administrations and public transport providers in Copenhagen, Lisbon, and Madrid. My results show that urban administrations use experimentation as a form of reflexive, transformative governance. Public transport providers use experiments to navigate tensions between rapid regulatory changes and technological innovation and their long-lived infrastructure. Both actor groups stressed the importance of disruptions as natural experiments. Urban administrations used disruptions for experimentation to fast-track approved but difficult-to-implement projects. The temporary nature of experiments can pose a risk: It makes them vulnerable to political attacks. To mitigate backlash, good timing is critical