The main aim of the conference is to create a forum for exchange the ideas about various forms and roles of knowledge and expertise in decision-making processes in current societies. The conference focuses on the discussion of two main questions:
Forms of public participation in decision-making processes - benefits, costs and limits
The public deliberation and participation in decision-making processes has been broadly discussed in social sciences for several decades. Public deliberation and participation are not only the topics of theoretical disputation but also the focus of the broad international movement for political reforms. How to achieve sustainable and effective public participation and deliberation? Is it possible to improve the cooperation among public and empowered spheres within current institutional frameworks? Do the broader deliberation and participation bring the better governance and democracy?
The links between science, public and empowered spheres
The Czech as far as many other European educational and science policies are currently being subjects of governmental reforms. One of the main reform aims is to strengthen the links between science and society and emphasize the science outcomes which could be directly implemented in praxis. This situation brings the opportunity for wider reflection of the role of science in society. What are risks and benefits of opening up the science institutions to nonscientific interests? How should scientists relate to politics, policy and civil society? What are the links between science and public expertise and experience?
The conference aims to engage people both from within and outside academia to the discussion of these and related questions.
INVITED CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Andrew Stirling, University of Sussex
Professor of Science & Technology Policy (SPRU - Science and Technology Policy Research, The Sussex Energy Group, School of Business, Management and Economics), Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange (School of Business, Management and Economics) Stirling is an interdisciplinary researcher, policy advisor and postgraduate teacher. He shifted from undergraduate astronomy through science studies to masters in archaeology and social anthropology and a doctorate in science and technology. Stirling is the author of more than a hundred academic papers on issues around ‘the precautionary principle’, ‘public participation’ and ‘technological transitions’. He’s been a member of several policy advisory committees for UK public bodies and international agencies including the EU Energy Consultative Committee, Expert Group on Science and Governance and as Rapporteur for the EC Science in Society Advisory Committee. Stirling was formerly a campaign director for Greenpeace International,
later served on their Board and that of Greenpeace UK.
Claudia Neubauer, Fondation Sciences Citoyennes, France
Dr. Claudia Neubauer is co-founder and director of Fondation Sciences Citoyennes, a nonprofit organization that aims at democratizing sciences and technologies so that they serve common goods and a socially and ecologically more just world. Dr. Neubauer has a PhD in human genetics and a Masters in scientific journalism. She has been working on numerous issues such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, nanotechnology, scientific citizenship, national and European research systems, and expertise and research capacities of civil society organizations. She is (co)-author of reports for the French Ministry of Research, the Office for Technology Assessment at the German Parliament, and the European Commission. Dr. Neubauer is board member of the European Network of scientists for social and environmental responsibility (ENSSER) and member of the Unit 'Foresight' of the Social, Economic and Environmental Council of the French region Bretagne.
Deadline for submission of abstracts for presentations: June 30, 2012
Deadline for applications to workshops and participation without presentation: August 30, 2012
There is no conference fee.
Conference languages: Czech, Slovak, English (invited speakers’ session with interpretation)
Time: 9.30
Venue: TBA, Prague
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