How do people accept nanotechnologies? One of important topics addressed by the TECHSCALE project
How do people perceive the development of new nanotechnologies, and how can their benefits be most effectively explained to the public? This topic was discussed at a working meeting within the TECHSCALE project by scientists from CATRIN along with colleagues from the four faculties involved in the project. Representatives from the social science disciplines informed about the executed surveys, their evaluation work, and the processing of specific outputs. In addition to scientists from CATRIN, the project team includes researchers from four faculties: the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Law, the Cyril and Methodius Faculty of Theological and the Faculty of Health Sciences.
“Nanotechnologies represent a dynamically developing and interdisciplinary field that is already influencing our lives today, and in the future, it will have an even more significant impact on future generations. However, their acceptance and use largely depend on society’s attitude toward these technologies. At the same time, we cannot overlook concerns related to the potential misuse in various fields. This is precisely the area where we are collaborating with colleagues from the social sciences, and I am glad that we were able to discuss the results of the initial surveys focused on the perception of nanotechnologies across different social groups,” said Michal Otyepka from CATRIN, the project’s research manager and principal investigator.
The issue of the social acceptance of new technologies, their benefits, and potential misuse is a topic that scientists are addressing not only in their research and upcoming publications but also by seeking platforms to reach the public. “This is a very current topic that resonates with the goals of the project. Therefore, we will actively seek and use opportunities to engage broader public and contribute to the discussion on the ethical and social aspects of technological progress. A key contribution to the professional community will be scientific publications that provide a detailed view of the results achieved, both from scientific and application point of view,” added Otyepka.
The project “Technologies Beyond the Nanoscale” (TECHSCALE) was successful in the prestigious call for Top Research in the Programme Johannes Amos Comenius. Project partners include Charles University and CEITEC-VUT Brno. The five-year research project has received support of nearly half a billion Czech crowns. The goal is to develop new materials for energy storage, nanorobots that will detect or eliminate disease pathogens within the human body, and substances that will accelerate and enhance chemical reactions in industrial production using revolutionary single atom engineering methods (SAEM). In addition to material research experts, the project also involves social science representatives who will study and describe society’s acceptance of new technologies. At the same time, new strategies will be proposed to combat the so-called fake news, which could negatively affect the perception of new technologies.
Project TECHSCALE (No. CZ.02.01.01/00/22_008/0004587) is financed by the MEYS OP JAC Excellent research programme, supported by ERDF/ESF.