Technology Assesment – Methods and Impact

TAMI – is a European science project, studying the interaction between methods and impact in technology assesment. The purpose of the initiative has been to create an overview and a system and to develop the choice of methods in relation to the wanted impact or the roles, which is wanted from the technology assessment.

The project has developed an impact typology of the TA-activities which are divided into three columns: Creation of knowledge, attitudes and activities. The project has categorized 20 different roles for technology assessment, which are all documented with examples from the participating countries. TAMI is not only a pioneer work in the overview of impact of technology assessment, but also within soft impact of technology assessment.

The Danish Board of Technologys (DBT) assignment in the project

Mission

The DBT initiates comprehensive technology assessment activities on the opportunities and consequences of technology for the society and for the individual citizen. The Board should initiate independent assessments, and communicate the results of its work to the Parliament, to other political decision-makers, and to the Danish people in order to support and enhance the public debate on technological issues. It is advisor for the Parliament as well as for the government.

Institutional Setting

The DBT is established by the Parliament as an independent public institution, connected to the Ministry of Science. The minister appoints the Board of Governors (BG) and the Board of Representatives (BR). The BG has 11 members of whom 7 are nominated by institutions from the labour market, innovation system and research councils, local governments and public education. The BG is responsible for the budget, the work programme, and the establishment of the secretariat. The BR has 50 members, nominated by a broad scope of institutions, and function as a network for discussion of the work of the Board. The secretariat has 8 academic and 4.5 administrative staff man-year, plus project internals (students, consultants), trainees, social programme employees etc. The budget of 2003 was 10.3 mill.DKK ~ 1.4 mill.€.

Methodological Approach

DBT makes use of five clusters of methods: a) expert-based studies, b) stakeholder involvement, c) citizen consultation, d) public communication, and c) political advisory methods. The BG makes the work programme after an open call for ideas, involving call letters, a workshop and an open internet scheme. The 1-200 ideas are rated on six criteria and prioritised. 20 top candidate ideas are researched further to support the final choice of work-plan. As part of the research the problem situation is described, the main problems selected, and a project design sketched. This procedure reflects the methodological principles of the DBT that the method should be chosen as a best possible answer to the problem situation and the processes should be as transparent as possible. The project should ideally be able to include the necessary knowledge, make normative clarifications possible and nourish the ground for decisions and change.

Research Fields

In practise, any societal problem involving technology or in fields that are closely engaged in scientific and technological developments can be taken up. Such fields are for example: Energy, environment, work environment, biotech, food, transportation, ICT, health care, housing and planning, intellectual property rights …

Addressees and Clients

Depending on the issue, the DBT involves or communicates results to politicians (parliament, government, counties, municipalities, EU level), governmental institutions, science and the innovation systems, the labour market actors, NGO’s and other stakeholders, the education system, and the public. The target groups can be broad or narrow, also depending on the issue. The DBT sees the media as a gatekeeper that needs special attention, and a communication officer is connected to all project activities to enhance the media impact.