This EPA STRIVE research fellowship report presents a literature review and fieldwork data for a project which investigated how the topic of nanotechnology can be engaged with by both experts on the topic, and non-experts. The first objective was to map out what can be said about knowledge of nanotechnology in contemporary Ireland. The approach taken was that all perspectives on nanotechnology were taken on board, analysed and synthesised, including deviations from the accepted truths about nanotechnology. While perspectives on environmental and health implications were of particular interest, they were not the primary focus in discussions, unless raised by participants and commentators. Methods used for this included an awareness survey and media and document analysis.

The second objective was to pilot a series of nanotechnology communication events, which would provide the basis of a future communications/ consultation strategy for policymakers. The types of activities used in these events included focus groups, a citizens' jury, online forums and an installation in the Science Gallery. The contributions from these activities also contributed to the first objective of finding nanotechnology knowledge.

The third and final objective was to report to the EPA, to aid future environmental research associated with public communication and wider science communication and technology assessment policy by the Irish Government.

The following was concluded from this project:
*Scientists were the most prominent voices in public discourse about nanotechnology, but mostly in the context of commercial exploitation and innovation
*Environment and health risks and benefits were tied to social and ethical considerations very closely and participants were at least as concerned about governance and equity issues (in terms of how nanotechnology is controlled) as they were about the environmental and health implications
*Where nanotechnology was described in the media, it tended to be either framed in commercial terms, or in basic, scientific, didactic terms for education and outreach. Both of these representations reduce the chances for nanotechnology risks, of any kind, to be discussed, and is at odds with policy measures of nanotechnology public engagement in other countries
*Official nanotechnology texts were low in dialogicality, that is, expressing multiple voices and views on the topic; new media approaches provided more opportunities for dialogue
*the concept of nanotechnology as an entity was important, for young participants in particular
*levels of attendance to events were low for the open-invitation focus group and the citizens? jury pilot in particular.

Nano-Innovation discourses are growing while there is little public or media interest. This project offers a menu of dialogue models for policymakers to address the many objectives of nanotechnology communications strategy, from less dialogic information transfer to public-led dialogue and the public imagining of a future with nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology will have many social implications. There is much work to be done to ensure nanotechnology public engagement be taken seriously in Ireland. This report confirms what has also been found in international studies of science and society - public engagement requires two-way communication models, and combined public/ scientists' expectations future technologies. Without public acceptance, there will be a difficult economic case for nanotechnology. This report recommends that, for a more inclusive approach to nanotechnology knowledge in future consultation or technology assessment for emerging controversial technologies - and to avoid a situation such as that which created public opposition to GM foods - dialogue must form the basis of the communication strategy with embedded triple-bottom-line values, that is, where society and environment are given the same level of importance currently granted to economy.

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Murphy, P.   "Nanotechnology: public engagement with health, environmental and social issues". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=3c3fb72d-7f47-102d-b891-8d8f2407b579 (Last Accessed: 2025-01-20)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=159
Resource Keywords	Nanotechnology, risk, public engagement, responsible innovation, STS, dialogicality
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2007-FS-EH-1-M5
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Environment and Health
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Standard citation of EPA ERC-SAFER datasets please
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	2
Project Start Date	Monday 1st October 2007 (01-10-2007)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 1st October 2007 (01-10-2007)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Thursday 31st December 2009 (31-12-2009)
Published on SAFER	Friday 12th March 2010 (12-03-2010)
Date of Last Edit	Tuesday 18th January 2011 at 08:24:47 (18-01-2011)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Tuesday 18th January 2011 at 08:24:47 (18-01-2011)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
DCU; Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin; Colaiste Lorcain, Castledermot, Co. Kildare, Ireland; Loreto College, Swords, Co Dublin, Ireland; Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin , Ireland.

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