Parliamentary Technology Assessment Research Articles

Planning cells in technology research and development – participation for a multisensory screening system in the hospital context

Mini-public participation procedures with random selection have a long tradition in parliamentary technology assessment and acceptance research. Less documented is their potential in the area of research-based development of technical innovations. This article marks a contribution to that area and discusses the application of planning cells for a citizens’ report for the participatory development of a multisensory screening system that, in the context of a global health crisis, shall contactlessly detect characteristics of respiratory virus infections to protect critical hospital infrastructures. Randomly selected citizens and clinic personnel from the Homburg region in Saarland, Germany, deliberated on the framework conditions for the AI-based data processing and ethical aspects of the so-called VI-screen system. This evaluation demonstrates how the structural anchoring of the method in an early phase of the development process was conducive for the competent researchers to incorporate the knowledge – and discussion-based recommendations of the participants, potentially increasing the social connectivity, diffusion, and responsible application of the VI-screen system in the future. Based on a critical assessment, potential adjustments to the standard participation procedure are derived in order to increase its potential for future use in research-based technology development.

Parliamentary Technology Assessment and Philosophy of TA

Parliamentary Technology Assessment and Philosophy of TA

Thinking parliamentary technology assessment politically: Exploring the link between democratic policy making and parliamentary TA

This paper aims to clarify the political nature of parliamentary technology assessment (PTA) by reflecting on PTA's relationship with democratic policy making. This issue is raised in a political climate that is regularly portrayed as a ‘post-truth era’ and influenced by the rise of radical right populism. Democratic policy making is described in terms of problem structuring that depends on powering, scientific puzzling, participation and deliberation. Regulative democratic ideals, like political equality, truth, citizen participation, and ideal communication, are identified that drive these processes. These concepts are used to clarify the political nature of PTA in two ways. First the kind of political support for PTA within countries where PTA is or was institutionalized is explored. A typology of seven levels of political support to PTA is discerned. These degrees of support depend on whether PTA is performed by MPs or by TA experts, and to what extent MPs allow PTA to play a role in the scientific puzzling process and/or organize participation-cum-deliberation processes. To further clarify the political nature of PTA, three political attitudes towards the regulative democratic ideals are distinguished: affirmative, indifferent, and adverse. It is shown that processes of powering, scientific puzzling and participation-cum-deliberation can be used in ways that are guided by regulative democratic ideals (affirmative), ignore those ideals (indifferent) or undermine them (adverse). In political contexts in which indifferent or adverse attitudes prevail political support for PTA of any kind is very unlikely. It is argued that PTA can strengthen democratic policy making, when it fully acknowledges the political nature, and strengths and weaknesses of both scientific puzzling and participation-cum-deliberation. In this way PTA can connect to democratic forms of populism, and is well-positioned to counteract anti-scientism, anti-intellectualism, and anti-democratic forms of populism.

Co-produced legitimacies: Parliamentary technology assessment and nuclear waste management in France

Co-produced legitimacies: Parliamentary technology assessment and nuclear waste management in France

Parliamentary TA in Portugal

Currently, a structure for parliamentary Technology Assessment (pTA) in Portugal does not exist. However, efforts have been made by the Parliament to support the establishment of pTA through the involvement of external actors. Two different models, a Parliamentary Office of Technology Assessment (GPAT) and a Parliamentary Unit of Technology Assessment (UPAT), have recently been proposed. This paper discusses some of the observations presented in a previous TATuP- paper by Böhle/Moniz (2015) relative to the establishment of TA in Portugal including observations on the GPAT model. In doing so, this paper provides a brief comparative analysis between the two models, including precedents, funding and organisational structure.

Broadening, deepening, and governing innovation: Flemish technology assessment in historical and socio-political perspective

This article examines the socio-political dynamics in the evolution and development of Flemish technology assessment (TA). Broadly defined, TA encompasses activities and programs that expand and deepen the knowledge base of contemporary knowledge-based economies (KBEs), typically by including new actors (e.g. trade unions), ideas (e.g. science in society), and rationales (e.g. participatory techniques) in science, technology, and innovation (STI) processes. Starting from the regionalization of STI policy in Belgium and the convergence of Flemish STI around global KBE principles, the article exemplifies how since the 1980s successive Flemish TA waves (early-warning, bottom-up, and interactive TA) have co-evolved with successive generations of Flemish innovation policy. Building on these findings, it argues that Flemish TA has counteracted and accommodated dominant STI paradigms. By providing a historical and socio-political perspective on TA and innovation policy, the article draws critical attention to the institutional settings and societal contexts in which TA is embedded, and questions TA's strategic utility within contemporary KBEs. This perspective sheds light on the Flemish government's recent decision to close its parliamentary TA institute and the institutional expansion of TA elsewhere in Europe.

No Countries for Old Technology Assessment?

If the question is whether there is a parliamentary technology assessment (PTA) unit in Portugal or Spain, the clear answer is that there is still no such unit at the central state level at the present time, neither in Portugal nor in Spain. The question then has to be modified addressing previous and current efforts to establish PTA and the current framework conditions and opportunities. Practices of PTA are framed here as a democratic innovation in the context of changes in representative democracies. Against this backdrop, the efforts and opportunities to establish PTA in Spain and Portugal are studied. By sketching these developments and outlining the opportunities in these countries, our aim is to contribute to the debate about the likelihood of a new wave of PTA in Europe (Hennen/Nierling 2014).

Modeling Parliamentary Technology Assessment in Relational Terms

Modeling Parliamentary Technology Assessment in Relational Terms

Towards the institutionalisation of parliamentary technology assessment: the case for Ireland

Purpose – This paper aims to consider the case study of Ireland with regards to the implementation of a formal parliamentary technology assessment (PTA) capability. With emphasis on innovation and knowledge-based economies, society faces a proliferation of technological challenges with far-reaching unpredictable impacts. Elected representatives need unbiased scientific knowledge to underpin evidence-based policy-oriented decision-making. PTA is directed at policy-oriented decision-making processes within the parliament. It identifies the role played by existing agencies and the gaps that remain to be filled in the current landscape. It explores the feasibility of potential future institutional arrangements in a country without a recognised formal PTA agency. Design/methodology/approach – An embedded case study approach was utilised based on three main sources of evidence: relevant published documents pertaining to science and technology governance; interviews with key decision-makers; and illustrative case of “hydraulic fracturing” demonstrating key issues stemming from the lack of a formal PTA structure. Findings – The case revealed the interplay between key actors in the area of science, technology and innovation in Ireland. It demonstrated the need for improved citizen engagement. The analysis revealed that formal technology assessment channels should be established to provide a voice for civil society to engage in policy-making. Given the requirements and constraints, a feasible way to implement PTA seems to be the “parliamentary office” model which would seem to be a good fit in the context of Ireland’s current situation. Originality/value – The paper presents how PTA may be realised in a country without a formal PTA agency using a parliamentary office model to provide a channel for citizen engagement in science, technology and innovation (STI) policy-making.

Public engagement and emerging technologies

Introduction Kieran O'Doherty and Edna Einsiedel Part 1: The Purpose and Function of Public 1 Giving Power to Public Voice: A Critical Review of Alternative Means of Infusing Citizen Deliberation with Legal Authority or Influence John Gastil 2 Parliamentary Technology Assessment in Europe and the Role of Public Leonhard Hennen 3 Democracy, Governance, and Public Engagement: A Critical Assessment Peter W.B. Phillips Part 2: External Conditions for Legitimate Public Engagement: Ethics, Society, and Democracy 4 Trust, Accountability, and Participation: Conditions for and Constraints on Democratic Models Susan Dodds 5 Public Voices or Private Choices? The Role of Public Consultation in the Regulation of Reproductive Technologies Colin Gavaghan 6 Challenges to Deliberations on Genomics Michiel Korthals Part 3: Internal Conditions for Legitimate Public Engagement: Lessons for the Practitioner 7 Deliberative Fears: Citizen Deliberation about Science in a National Consensus Conference Michael D. Cobb 8 Theorizing Deliberative Discourse Kieran O'Doherty Part 4: Institutional Contexts of Public 9 Public Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization in Public and Private Policy David Castle 10 From Public Engagement to Public Policy: Competing Stakeholders and the Path to Law Reform David Weisbrot 11 in the Canadian Biotechnology Regulatory Regime Andrea Riccardo Migone and Michael Howlett Part 5: Modes of and Experiments in 12 Swimming with Salmon: The Use of Journalism to Public Engagement Initiatives on Emerging Biotechnologies David M. Secko 13 Science Media and Public Participation: The Potential of Drama-Documentaries Grace Reid 14 N-Reasons: Computer-Mediated Ethical Decision Support for Public Peter Danielson 15 Contentious New Technology Introductions and e-Participation Keith Culver Part 6: Understanding Stakeholders and 16 Rethinking Publics and Participation in New Governance Contexts: Stakeholder and Extended Forms of Edna Einsiedel 17 Public Engagement with Human Genetics: A Social Movement Approach Alexandra Plows 18 The Limits of Liberal Values in the Moral Assessment of Genomic and Technological Innovation Chloe G.K. Atkins Contributors Index

„Renewable Energy Systems“: Role and Use of Parliamentary Technology Assessment

„Renewable Energy Systems“: Role and Use of Parliamentary Technology Assessment

Parliamentary technology assessment institutions as indications of reflexive modernization

This article links the theory of reflexive modernization to Parliamentary Technology Assessment (PTA) by considering the latter as an indication of modern Western societies becoming more reflexive, that is, acknowledging and responding to the limitations of modern traditions by institutionalizing new processes of technology assessment to address a realm of change where uncertainty is no longer contained within modern structures. Our conceptual framework must address both the emergence and functioning of PTA in the form of institutions and the practices that are pursued within (or around, and linked to) such institutions, with due attention being paid to the multiple approaches currently being debated around the transformation of modernity and reflexivity. Reflexive modernization offers a relevant theoretical approach to analyzing hybrid entities like PTA institutions. We demonstrate this by analyzing three such institutions (Science and Technology Options Assessment [STOA, European Parliament], Institute for Society and Technology [IST, Flanders, Belgium] and Rathenau Institute [The Netherlands]), mapping their different approaches and practices in terms of features of reflexive modernization. There appears to be an overall reflexivity pathway, on which some PTAs have moved farther than others, but their progress is fractured by the resilience of modern institutions. We conclude that to ensure their role in the current institutional landscapes of evolving modern societies, the most important thing for PTA institutions is therefore to somehow develop a relevant approach while dealing with the necessary margin of maneuver for further adaptation and transformation.

Scientific independence as a constitutive part of parliamentary technology assessment

Recent discussions on governance, on science and technology policy and on adequate advice types motivate reconsidering some constitutive issues of technology assessment (TA). To these belong the frequently demanded scientific independence of a TA institution and of TA projects. The semantics of the term ‘scientific independenc’ comprise related or partially synonymously used terms, such as autonomy, unprejudicedness, value-neutrality, rationality, objectivity, impartiality, or equity. In this paper we will — after a general discussion of those facets — focus on parliamentary TA, using the Office for Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag as an example, identifying strengths and limitations of the postulate for scientific independent TA. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Politics and institutions: European parliamentary technology assessment

This paper analyses, from an institutionalist perspective, the emergence, nature and ways in which parliamentary scientific and technological advice activities are carried out in different European countries. A diffusion process from the United Sates could be identified in the early times, but some local preconditions are also important for the adoption of these practices in Europe, as well as the existence of some political entrepreneurs willing to advance the initiatives within their respective political systems. We argue that the connection of technology assessment (TA) with the political process can only be understood if the former is regarded not only as an input in the decision-making process but also as a legitimising mechanism. Different models of arrangements of parliamentary TA (PTA) are identified, depending on the degree of inclusiveness of different actors in the TA process. The adaptation, consolidation and differential impact of these organizations are mediated by two factors: the capacity of PTA organizations to gain support, both inside and outside the Legislature, and their capacity to access decision makers in an environment of competition with other organizations that also produce TA. Models of PTA have both types of these capacities in differing degrees. It is argued that differences in the potential impact of TA activities in the different countries are to be analysed in the context of the rules of the political game and the types of incentives that TA organizations face. The degree of autonomy/dependence and exclusivity/nonexclusivity of the assessment for the parliaments are essential for understanding the diversity of impacts.

Developments in parliamentary technology assessment in Finland

The Committee for the Future in the Finnish Parliament is a unique institution with the broad remit of addressing future-related issues. Its key tasks include: the development of replies in response to the Government's account on the future; the monitoring of advances in futures studies; and the co-ordination of technology assessment (TA) activities for the Parliament. This paper gives an overview of the Committee's recent TA activities and discusses its role in the democratisation of science and technology policymaking. Issues relevant to the further shaping of parliamentary TA activities in Finland are also discussed. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

Pollution Through Traffic and Transport: the Praxis of Cultural Pluralism in Parliamentary Technology Assessment

by Robert Hoppe, Twente University, andJohn Grin, University of AmsterdamThis paper discusses how “the” transporta-tion problem was structured in traffic andtransportation studies by the parliamentarytechnology assessment (PTA) agencies ofGermany, Denmark and the European Un-ion. The focus is on cultural biases in TAmethods with regard to the way in whichthe social problem was defined and trans-lated into research questions (problemstructuration), the conclusions drawn fromthe TA studies, and the recommendationspresented. The analysis shows that culturaltheory is useful in assessing the degree ofpluralism in TA studies. It provides an in-strument to probe the assumptions in theviewpoints of experts, lay people, politi-cians and other actors involved in the tech-nology under scrutiny. It is in this area thatcultural theory and political science canfruitfully meet to realize, together, morereflective forms of dealing with cultural plu-ralism in the praxis of policy analysis.1 Introduction

Parliamentary technology assessment of biotechnologies: A review of major TA reports in the European Union and the USA

Based on a review of some major technology assessment agencies dealing with biotechnology and bioethics in the USA and five countries of Europe, this study compares the approach in the different countries. It is found that the countries of Europe have less national differences than there are between the USA and Europe. The core concern in Europe has been to promote biotechnologies without meeting too much popular resistance. In Denmark and some other European countries the will to include citizens in technological debates has led to the setting up of consensus conferences, involving a lay panel which issues a report at the end of the process. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA)

European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA)

The STOA experiment in the European Parliament The fusion project

The European Parliament, like the US Congress before it, has recognized a need for independent advice on scientific and technological policy issues, being hitherto overdependent on Commission expertise in its examination of Commission proposals. Accordingly, it established the STOA Project (Scientific and Technological Options Assessment) in March 1987. The first major STOA study, Criteria for the Assessment of European Fusion Research, is described and analysed. A contrast is drawn between consensual and adversarial approaches to technology assessment and the importance of open, critical debate is stressed. In conclusion, it is the social character of technology which underlies the importance of parliamentary technology assessment.