Shifting and Deepening Engagements: Experimental Normativity in Public Participation in Science and Technology

摘要: Public participation in science, technology, and innovation is a significant trend contemporary western democracies, which increasingly implicates the social scientist diverse ways. Yet, question as to how scientists actually engage public participation, their engagements may be normatively justified, not object of systematic consideration participatory frameworks action-oriented science. In this article, we ask can take responsibility for normative choices when engaging practice. Drawing on our experiences researchers nanotechnologies Flanders (Belgium) France, respectively, reflectively consider relationship with research subjects, political relevance work, problems deal with. This leads us articulate three modes normativity that inform commitments: process mode, critical mode inspired by Actor Network Theory. Differentiating between these garnering sensitivity towards each mode’s characteristics opens way experimentation different types through accounts her commitments shifts or deepens response conflicting demands real-world circumstances. Thus, rather than endorsing one approach recommend pragmatic attitude implies probing roles assumes vis-a-vis other participants, interests, objectives, enables continually adjust position view particularities situation.