This open access book explores the relevance of the concept of technology assessment (TA) on an international and global level. Technologies play a key role in addressing global challenges such as climate change, population aging, digitization, and health. At the same time, their use increases the need for coordinated action and governance at the global level in the field of science, technology and innovation (STI).
Featuring case studies on STI fields such as energy, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and health technology, as well as TA activities at the national and international levels, this book reflects on the challenges and opportunities of global technology governance. It also provides an in-depth discussion of current governmental STI cultures and systems, societal expectations, and the policy priorities needed to achieve coordinated and effective STI intervention in policymaking and public debate at the global level. Lastly, the book promotes the establishment of a forum for a truly global dialogue of TA practitioners, fostering the articulation of their needs, knowledge and perspectives.
Author(s): Leonhard Hennen, Julia Hahn, Miltos Ladikas, Ralf Lindner, Walter Peissl, Rinie van Est
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 271
City: Cham
Contents
Editors and Contributors
Introduction: Technology Assessment Beyond National Boundaries
1 A Brief History of Technology Assessment
2 Technology Assessment and Its Relatives
3 The Need for Technology Assessment to Go Global
4 The Book and Its Contributions
References
Technology Assessment in a Globalized World
Tracing Technology Assessment Internationally—TA Activities in 12 Countries Across the Globe
1 Introduction
2 Mapping of Country-Specific TA Activities
3 Reflections
References
Technology Assessment in a Multilateral Science, Technology and Innovation System
1 Introduction
2 Technology Assessment in the United Nations System and Multilateral Organisations
2.1 TA in Multilateral Organisations
2.2 The Role of TA in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
3 TA and Global Challenges
3.1 Climate Change
3.2 Agriculture
4 Technology Assessment and the Sustainable Development Goals
5 Technology Assessment in Developing Countries
6 Discussion: Future Challenges for Technology Assessment at the Global Level
7 Conclusions: A Model for Technology Assessment at Global Level
References
Challenges for Global TA
Globalisation as Reflexive Modernisation—Implications for S&T Governance
1 Introduction
2 Globalisation—A Modern Phenomenon with a History
3 Modern Globalisation and Reflexive Modernisation
4 Three Dimensions of Modern Globalisation: Culture, Economy and Risks
4.1 Cultural Globalisation
4.2 Economic Globalisation
4.3 Globalisation of Risks
5 The Need for Reflexive Global Governance
References
Technology Assessment and Public Spheres in the Context of Globalization: A Blueprint for the Future
1 Introduction
2 Six Characteristics of Public Spheres
3 STS-Like Public Spheres and TA in a National Political Context
3.1 Three Factors Influencing the Autonomy of the Public Sphere
3.2 STS-Like Public Spheres and TA
4 Public Spheres in a Context of Globalization
5 TA Beyond National Borders
5.1 European Level
5.2 Transnational and Global Level
6 STS-Like Public Spheres and TA in a Context of Globalization
6.1 National TA as a Site of Globalization
6.2 TA and Public Spheres Beyond National Borders
References
Technology Assessment in Developing Countries: The Case of India—Examples of Governmental and Informal TA
1 Introduction
2 Some Reflections on TA for Developing Countries
2.1 Technology Transfer and Needs Assessment
2.2 TA for Access, Equity, and Inclusion
2.3 Participatory TA
3 Governmental TA in India: For S&T, Health, and Pollution Policy
3.1 The S&T Policy Advice Role of TIFAC
3.2 Health Technology Assessment
3.3 Governmental TA for Prevention, Control, and Abatement of Pollution
4 Constructive TA: Evaluating and Adopting Technologies in Agriculture—ICAR
4.1 Extension and Technology Assessment and Refinement
4.2 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) as Extension Centres
4.3 Gender Assessment of Technologies
5 Formal and Informal Participatory TA in the Public Domain
5.1 Three Political-Cultural Visions on the Relationship Between S&T and Society
5.2 Governmental Participatory TA: The Case of Bt brinjal
5.3 Civil Society Engagement with S&T—Informal TA
6 Conclusion
6.1 Governmental TA Activities
6.2 Informal Societal TA Activities
6.3 Lessons from India for Developing Countries
References
Global Challenges and TA
Climate Change—Does the IPCC Model Provide the Foundation for a Potential Global Technology Assessment Framework?
1 Introduction
2 Technology Assessment
3 The IPCC Model: Potential as a Global TA Framework
3.1 History of the IPCC
3.2 IPCC Structure
3.3 Processes
3.4 Technologies
4 Climate Change State of Play
5 Reflections on the IPCC Model: Successful or Not?
5.1 A Requirement for Increasing Impact Through Initiating Action
5.2 Consensus and Situated Knowledge
5.3 Public Trust in Reporting: Integrity, Errors, and the Need for Transparency
5.4 Accessibility: Understanding and Scale
6 Discussion
7 Conclusions
References
Challenges of Global Technology Assessment in Biotechnology—Bringing Clarity and Better Understanding in Fragmented Global Governance
1 Introduction
2 Early Developments in Biotechnology and Its Governance
3 Key Topics in Biotechnology
3.1 Genetically Modified Foods and Crops
3.2 Synthetic Biology
3.3 Human Genome Germline Editing (HGGE)
4 Public Engagement in Biotechnology and TA
5 Global TA of Biotechnology: The Way Ahead
References
Artificial Intelligence—A New Knowledge and Decision-Making Paradigm?
1 Introduction
2 The Identification of Stakeholders in a Data-Driven Artificial Intelligence Context
3 The International Policy Discussion
3.1 Different Discourses in Different Regions
3.2 Areas of Application
4 TA Activities in the Field so far and Options for the Future
4.1 Analysis of EPTA-Activities
4.2 Main Areas of Discussion
4.3 Responsibility, Transparency and Ethics
5 Conclusions on Practical Perspectives for Increased Global TA Co-operation and for Including Global TA in International Debate and Governance
References
Global Systems Resilience and Pandemic Disease—A Challenge for S&T Governance
1 Introduction
2 Technological Innovations for the Management of Global Health Crises
3 Facing the Challenges of a Global Crisis Response: Scale, Trust and Politics
3.1 Scale: Dealing with Global Risks
3.2 Trust: Improving Adherence and Participation
3.3 Politics: Social Justice and Global Inequalities
4 Conclusions
References
Outlook
The Shape of Global Technology Assessment
1 Introduction
2 The Institutionalisation of TA
3 Models for a Global TA
4 Next Steps for the GlobalTA Network
References
Appendix Technology Assessment Activities in Australia, Brazil, Central Europe, Chile, China, India, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and the USA
Australia
Australia: Specific Context
Australia: Developing a National Research Capability in Responsible Innovation
Australia: Specific Challenges and Outlook
Brazil
Brazil: Specific Context
Brazil: The Politics of Expertise
Brazil: Specific Challenges and Outlook
Central Europe (Poland, Czechia, Slovakia)
Central Europe: Specific Context
Central Europe: Highlights of TA Activities
Central Europe: Specific Challenges and Outlook
Chile
Chile: Specific Context
Chile: Highlights of TA Activities
Chile: Specific Challenges and Outlook
China
China: Specific Context
China: Highlights of TA Activities
China: Specific Challenges and Outlook
India
India: Specific Context
India: Highlights of TA Activities
India: Specific Challenges and Outlook
Russia
Russia: Specific Context
Russia: Highlights of TA Activities
Russia: Specific Challenges and Outlook
South Africa
South Africa: Specific Context and TA Activities
South Africa: Specific Challenges and Outlook
South Korea
South Korea: Specific Context
South Korea: Highlights of TA Activities
South Korea: Specific Challenges and Outlook
United States of America
USA: Specific Context
USA: Highlights of TA Activities
USA: Specific Challenges and Outlook
Bibliography
