Risk Perceptions of Emergent Nanotechnologies

The now emerging area of nanoscience and its application in technology promise to revolutionize the way that the US and possibly the global community, operates. The potential applications range from new electronic devices and the means to fabricate them to materials for health and environmental uses. These new nanotechnologies pose many uncertainties for society. The risks that may accompany their use are largely unknown and their potential social and economic effects raise questions regarding health, environment, equity and fairness, many of which are difficult to anticipate.

With that understanding, our research group hopes to gain insight into the public views of nanotechnology, as well as their perception of risks and benefits associated with these technologies. Our aim is to understand the future envisioned by the public, and what role they understand nanotechnology to play in that future.

Our goal is to answer the following questions. First, how do nanoscientists’ and other experts in the US and Canada view the ethical/social issues of particular nanotechnologies and the prospects for engagement with the public? Second, what may be the trajectories for emergent risk perceptions, beliefs, and values among US and comparative publics about different types of nanotechnologies? And finally, what kinds of public involvement in nanotech deliberation are likely to be most effective in the US (in comparison with Canada and the UK)?

Our approach to answering those questions involves the following: engaging in qualitative interviews with nanoscientists, nanotoxicologists, and other experts and content analysis of interview narratives; national survey(s) of public risk perception; and comparative analysis of pilot public deliberation groups in the US, Canada, and the UK.