Abstract
In an attempt to shape the development of nanotechnologies, ethics policy programs promote engagement in the hope of broadening the scope of considerations that scientists and engineers take into account. While enhancing the reflexivity of scientists theoretically implies changes in technoscientific practice, few empirical studies demonstrate such effects. To investigate the real-time effects on engineering research practices, a laboratory engagement study was undertaken to specify the interplay of technical and social considerations during the normal course of research. The study employed an ethnographic invention in the form of a decision model to structure reflection on ongoing social processes. A short series of interactions with one engineering researcher illustrates the deployment of the model in the form of an interview protocol. The cultural embedment of the protocol allowed it to function as a feedback mechanism, creating a more self-critical environment for knowledge production, and perturbing the system in research-tolerable ways.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 155-165 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | NanoEthics |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 2007 |
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Keywords
- Ethnography
- Laboratory
- Modulation
- Nanotechnology
- Socio-technological change
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Sociology and Political Science
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Management of Technology and Innovation
Cite this
Ethnographic invention : Probing the capacity of laboratory decisions. / Fisher, Erik.
In: NanoEthics, Vol. 1, No. 2, 08.2007, p. 155-165.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Ethnographic invention
T2 - Probing the capacity of laboratory decisions
AU - Fisher, Erik
PY - 2007/8
Y1 - 2007/8
N2 - In an attempt to shape the development of nanotechnologies, ethics policy programs promote engagement in the hope of broadening the scope of considerations that scientists and engineers take into account. While enhancing the reflexivity of scientists theoretically implies changes in technoscientific practice, few empirical studies demonstrate such effects. To investigate the real-time effects on engineering research practices, a laboratory engagement study was undertaken to specify the interplay of technical and social considerations during the normal course of research. The study employed an ethnographic invention in the form of a decision model to structure reflection on ongoing social processes. A short series of interactions with one engineering researcher illustrates the deployment of the model in the form of an interview protocol. The cultural embedment of the protocol allowed it to function as a feedback mechanism, creating a more self-critical environment for knowledge production, and perturbing the system in research-tolerable ways.
AB - In an attempt to shape the development of nanotechnologies, ethics policy programs promote engagement in the hope of broadening the scope of considerations that scientists and engineers take into account. While enhancing the reflexivity of scientists theoretically implies changes in technoscientific practice, few empirical studies demonstrate such effects. To investigate the real-time effects on engineering research practices, a laboratory engagement study was undertaken to specify the interplay of technical and social considerations during the normal course of research. The study employed an ethnographic invention in the form of a decision model to structure reflection on ongoing social processes. A short series of interactions with one engineering researcher illustrates the deployment of the model in the form of an interview protocol. The cultural embedment of the protocol allowed it to function as a feedback mechanism, creating a more self-critical environment for knowledge production, and perturbing the system in research-tolerable ways.
KW - Ethnography
KW - Laboratory
KW - Modulation
KW - Nanotechnology
KW - Socio-technological change
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34748818702&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34748818702&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s11569-007-0016-5
DO - 10.1007/s11569-007-0016-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34748818702
VL - 1
SP - 155
EP - 165
JO - NanoEthics
JF - NanoEthics
SN - 1871-4757
IS - 2
ER -