Nanotechnology Citizen Conferences

"Consensus conferences involve a small group of citizens who go through a learning process on a given technological issue, engage experts, and develop an assessment of the key issues they identify as critical." -- Einsidel, E. and Eastlick, D., Consensus Conferences as Deliberative Democracy.

Hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Rural Sociology, the nanotechnology consensus conferences with thirteen Madison area citizens were held on April 3, 17 and 24, 2005. Each session was four hours long. The participants studied nanotechnology, met with a group of interdisciplinary experts, and developed a final report. A final press conference for elected officials and the media was held on April 28 where the final report was distributed. Copies were also sent to all Wisconsin legislators.

For more information:

• Article - Nanotech: Small Wonder (Isthmus 07/05/07)
• Report of the Madison Area Citizen Consensus Conference on Nanotechnology (.pdf)
• Consensus Conferences as Deliberative Democracy

Collaborative Partners:

Daniel Kleinman, UW-Madison Rural Sociology; Maria Powell, UW-Madison post-doctoral student; UW-Madison Nanoscale Center; UW-Madison Integrated Liberal Studies Program.