The aim of technology assessment is to understand and improve the interaction between science, technology and society. This requires dedicated methodologies and in-depth studies.

Our intellectual framework is based on the notion of co-evolution: research activities, scientific fields, funding opportunities and societal visions are interdependent and shape each other mutually. Reflection on such co-evolution is a further goal of the NanoNed TA program.

The NanoNed TA projects include:

Strategy articulation workshops for nanotechnologies. 
Studies of the early-stages of are used in strategy building workshops in which relevant stakeholders participate.

Futures for Lab-on-a-Chip.
Workshops to explore and assess futures of Lab-on-a-Chip applications. (read more)

Paths in micro- and nanotechnologies.
How do new technological paths emerge and when do current paths get obsolete? Cases include nanoelectronics, drug delivery and next generation lithography.

Nanodistricts.
Regional clusters of research institutes and firms are emerging with nanotechnology as a key component, for example in Grenoble and in Twente. What are the dynamics?

Social aspects of nanotechnology in the life sciences.
Exploration of societal and ethical questions and a search for meaningful dialogue between researchers and NGOs.

Nanotechnology and sustainability.
How can broad orientations such as sustainability be taken up in ongoing research and development?

The role of intermediary actors.
Funding agencies intermediate between governments and ongoing research; they may not be able to address the challenges of nanoscience and technology. What happens in various countries?

Promises and practices at various levels.
A study of the alignment and gaps between the different levels of nanotechnology: the lab, the programs and the political setting.

Images of nanotechnology.
What images are produced and taken up by various actors, how do these images evolve, and which strategies of actors can be identified?

Risk and responsibility.
Concrete issues like risk of nano-particles are occasion for debate, further studies and action (up to insurance companies getting involved). This is how governance of nanotechnology will be shaped.

Methods to map the sociotechnical dynamics of nanotechnology.
How to map and assess the co-evolution of nanotechnologies, underlying sciences and societal interest and use?

Documents and publications