Questioning 'participation': a critical appraisal of its conceptualization in a Flemish participatory technology assessment

摘要: This article draws attention to struggles inherent in discourse about the meaning of participation a Flemish participatory technology assessment (pTA) on nanotechnologies. It explores how, at project’s outset, key actors (e.g., nanotechnologists and pTA researchers) frame elements process like ‘the public’ draw interpretive repertoires fit their perspective. The examples call into question normative commitments cooperation, consensus building, common action that conventionally guide approaches. is argued itself must reflect an awareness competing interests perspectives associated with ‘participation’ if it incite beyond vested ensure genuine mutual learning.