Tagungsankündigung

Deutschlandsberg, Austria, July 7-13, 2002

The Summer Academy is organised by Inter-University Research Centre for Technology, Work and Culture (IFZ), Graz, in cooperation with Roskilde University, Department of Environment, Technology and Social Studies (Tek-Sam) and Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Department of Innovation Studies and History of Technology.

Aims and Perspectives

The general aim of our series of summer academies is to explore strategies for a more sustainable design of technologies as an issue of technology studies. How can technology studies contribute to an environmentally sound, participative, user friendly technological development? Do these approaches provide new perspectives to analyse and to actively shape technological change?

An important issue within the context of technological change is the role of the public. In particular we are interested in controversies such as the biotechnology debate. Especially in the latter context, demands are frequently being made which call for profound information. Public understanding seems to be the cure for acceptance problems, a precondition of informed decisions and a "realistic" risk perception. It is important to us to explore analytical approaches and practical initiatives that go beyond the so called "deficit model". In contrast to this we are convinced that an interactive model is more appropriate to open up perspectives of active public participation in communication processes on technology and its design.

The Summer Academy shall provide a platform to combine both, theoretical analysis and practical policy questions of shaping technological change in a environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive way.

An important aim of the summer academy also is to establish closer links to Central and Eastern European countries regarding the joint effort of shaping technology as a means of social and economic change. Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture will provide grants for researchers from CEE countries which cover accommodation and fees.

Call for papers

Participants are encouraged to present a paper related to one of the conference topics:

Theme 1: Framing the relation between technology and the public

Theme 2: Strategies and experiences of public participation

Theme 3: Negotiating risk and dealing with uncertainty

Please submit a one page abstract (in English language only) and a maximum of one page on your work and research background. The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 1st, 2002. A maximum of 40 participants will be accepted.

Information and Registration

Sandra Karner
IFZ (Inter-University Research Center for Technology, Work and Culture)
Schloegelgasse 2
A-8010 Graz, Austria
Fax: +43 / 316 / 81 02 74
e-mail: karner∂ifz.tu-graz.ac.at
Internet: http://www.ifz.tu-graz.ac.at/sumacad/