Abstract

Synthetic biology is an emerging technology that asks for inclusive reflection on how people frame the field. To unravel how we can facilitate such reflection, this study evaluates the Frame Reflection Lab (FRL). Building upon playfulness design principles, the FRL comprises a workshop with video-narratives and co-creative group exercises. We studied how the FRL facilitated frame reflection by organizing workshops with various student groups. Analysis of 12 group conversations and 158 mini-exit surveys yielded patterns in first-order reflection (problem analysis and solution finding in reflection on the development of synthetic biology as a field) as well as patterns in second-order reflection (reflection on values and assumptions underlying the first-order reflection). Also patterns in participants’ (re)framing of synthetic biology could be induced; participants’ viewpoints converged to some extent, yet with openness to individual viewpoint differences. Although the FRL method fortified the reflection processes of participants, the narratives and the workshop’s flexible format could inhibit the reflection too. Therefore, we advise designers of future frame reflection methods to apply stronger conversational facilitation and narratives of slightly mysterious yet identifiable narrators, in case e.g. video-narratives are created and used to scaffold the reflection process. Nevertheless, we argue that the use of a playful frame reflection method like the FRL could function well as (1) a step to precede more application-specific deliberation or decision-making on synthetic biology and as (2) a method for the collection of contemporary citizen viewpoints plus rationales underlying these, for the further (societally) responsible development of the emerging field.

Highlights

  • Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biotechnology are shrouded in uncertainty: they will have positive effects on our society, but will have undesirable, unintended, and unpredictable impacts [1]

  • To investigate how playful methods can be designed for Research and Innovation^ (RRI) reflection, this study evaluates a playful method called Frame Reflection Lab (FRL hereafter)

  • As van der Meij et al [30] noted that secondorder reflection regarding research and innovation in particular needs more than anarrative and a conversation, we argue that a playful RRI reflection method for frame reflection on synthetic biology may require more extensive application of playfulness process conditions stimulating guidance, focus, and experimentation space, and activity principles co-creation and imagination [cf. 11]

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Summary

Introduction

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and biotechnology are shrouded in uncertainty: they will have positive effects on our society, but will have undesirable, unintended, and unpredictable impacts [1]. There are many ways to problematize emerging technologies and to envisage how they should develop [2] This range of eligible viewpoints about emerging technologies can lead to heated discussions [2]. To deal with such potential controversy, there is a need for processes that enable the socially responsible development of emerging technologies [1, 4]. To assist such development of emerging technologies, a new policy narrative has emerged in the last few years, known as BResponsible Research and Innovation^ (RRI) [1, 5, 6]. We refer to these dialogues as RRI reflection

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