Suchergebnisse

In this article, we discuss the (re)production of socio-political discourses in two modeling communities, energy transition and transnational trade. Methodologically, we build on bibliometric and qualitative analyses of academic articles. Our analyses show how models structure epistemic communities and are closely linked to specific discourses. The modeling of the energy transition is driven by and contributes to discourses on mitigating climate change and access to energy. Different trade models address either multilateral or regional trade, yet in each case favoring international trade. Overall, we illustrate how the 'politics of models' does not only concern their use at the science-policy interface, but is already inscribed in their development, application, and scientific exploitation. These analyses may help experts, policy makers, and the public to better assess the knowledge claims and evidence politics of computer modeling.

Abstract
Closely-associated with calls for evidence-based policy-making, computer models are increasingly used to support public policies on a wide range of complex and controversial issues, ranging from energy and trade policies to regulating chemicals. In this article, we discuss three trends in modelling for policy and their implications for the authority of models in policy-making. First, we observe the proliferation of models and the differentiation of respective modelling landscapes and communities, resulting in intensified competition for political authority and early path dependencies in their political use. Second, different models are increasingly coupled or integrated into complex model frameworks, raising questions of comprehensibility and accountability. Third, modelling for policy experiences calls for transparency and opening that should serve scientific demands of replicability and verifications as well as political demands of legitimacy. In conclusion, we emphasise the continuous relevance of social scientific analyses of modelling for policy.

Weimer und Vining (1999) unterscheiden drei Rollen, die WissenschafterInnen in Politikberatung einnehmen können: den objective technician, den issue advocate und den client's advocate. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich jener Rolle, die in der gegenwärtigen Diskussion kaum reflektiert wird, aber dennoch für die Normativität von Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA) relevant ist: dem client's advocate. Basierend auf Daten aus einer empirischen internen Erhebung von Praxen, Konstellationen und Paradigmen der Politikberatung am österreichischen Institut für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung (ITA), stellen wir (1) das in den Projekten des Instituts realisierte Portfolio an Geldgebern bzw. Auftraggebern dar, setzen es (2) in Bezug zu den in den Projekten des ITA angesprochenen Issues und zu Ergebnissen aus vier projektspezifischen Fallstudien und formulieren (3) offene Fragen an die TA-Praxis und TA-Community. ; Weimer and Vining (1999) discern three roles for scientific policy advisers: the objective technician, the issue advocate, and the client's advocate. This contribution focuses on the latter – a role that is rarely reflected upon in current discussions about technology assessment (TA) practice. Based on empirical data on the practices, constellations, and paradigms prevalent in policy advice activities at the Austrian Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA), we (1) present the portfolio and characteristics of the institute's clients, (2) relate these to the issues addressed in the institute's projects and to four project-specific case studies, and (3) present open questions to the practice and community of TA pertaining to its relation to its clients.

Weimer und Vining (1999) unterscheiden drei Rollen, die WissenschafterInnen in Politikberatung einnehmen können: den objective technician, den issue advocate und den client's advocate. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich jener Rolle, die in der gegenwärtigen Diskussion kaum reflektiert wird, aber dennoch für die Normativität von Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA) relevant ist: dem client's advocate. Basierend auf Daten aus einer empirischen internen Erhebung von Praxen, Konstellationen und Paradigmen der Politikberatung am österreichischen Institut für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung (ITA), stellen wir (1) das in den Projekten des Instituts realisierte Portfolio an Geldgebern bzw. Auftraggebern dar, setzen es (2) in Bezug zu den in den Projekten des ITA angesprochenen Issues und zu Ergebnissen aus vier projektspezifischen Fallstudien und formulieren (3) offene Fragen an die TA-Praxis und TA-Community.

Three years ago, the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic challenged academia just like any other societal field, while at the same time putting science center stage. Media attention tended to focus on particular disciplines, such as epidemiology and microbiology, and on individual, mostly local, experts. Based on the idea that science as a global, multidisciplinary community has something to offer society beyond the highly specialized output of individual research fields prepared for local, short-term perspectives, the Institute of Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences launched a spontaneous expert survey in June 2021 with a global and interdisciplinary aspiration, addressing three non-standard issues related to the pandemic and its management: side effects, opportunities, and preparedness. In this paper, we present our methodology and the results of our analysis. We conclude with a discussion of potential contributions of technology assessment in times of sudden, global crises.