Madison's NanoCafes, USA

Method(s) Used

• Conversation Cafes (Methods)
• World Caf� (Methods)

Name of person who posted the project:

Karin Gavelin (Involve)

Location of project:

United Kingdom

Date when the project started:

2005

Date when the project ended/project ongoing:

Background to project:

http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/CaseStudies/Madison+Area+Consensus+Conference+on+Nanotechnologies

This event provided a diverse group of citizens from the Madison-area with the opportunity to work together and influence public policy on this important new technology. Their recommendations are summarized in a report.

Afterwards, several members of the citizen panel wanted to continue engaging with scientists and educating the public about nanotechnology. A professor involved in last spring's conference suggested the Science Caf� idea, having attended one in Europe.

The concept of the Caf� Scientifique originates in 1997 from France (where Caf�s Philosophiques were already well established) and in 1998 from England.

Since then, Caf�s Scientifiques have sprung up not only in Europe but also elsewhere across the world. Madison's Nano Caf�s are slightly different in the sense that they focus only on nanotechnology.

Purpose of project:

Project activities:

UW-Madison experts explain their work, answer questions and address concerns from members of the public as part of a lively conversation about the impact of recent research.

The focus of the event is determined by the attendees, most of whom are non-scientists. No science background is required.

In order for Nano Caf�s to be as democratic and participative as possible, attendees are asked to point out the themes they want to hear more about during the next Nano Caf�s.

Project results:

Contact details:

Website: http://www.nanocafes.org/

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