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Papers by Kornelia Konrad

Research Policy

This conceptual introduction to the Special Section examines different modes of 'tentative govern... more This conceptual introduction to the Special Section examines different modes of 'tentative governance' of Emerging Science and Technology (EST). The notion of tentative governance appears particularly relevant in the case of EST, given all the uncertainties and dynamics related to the scientific base, technologies, possible innovations, societal benefits and potential risks. While one may argue that such uncertainties are not peculiar to EST, it is nevertheless apparent that in industry, society and public policy the level of awareness of these uncertainties has increased, largely as a result of experiences with former emerging technologies (e.g. genetically modified organisms, nuclear technology). Governance is 'tentative' when public and private interventions are designed as a dynamic process that is prudent and preliminary rather than assertive and persistent. Tentative governance typically aims at creating spaces for probing and learning instead of stipulating definitive targets. The paper suggests a heuristic to position and relate the contributions to this Special Section. One main finding emerging from those contributions is that the inherent contingency of EST requires rather tentative approaches to governance, though often in combination with more definitive modes of governance, with the exact mixture involving a balancing act.

The hype-cycle is a phenomenon that is recurrently observed and spoken about in the context of em... more The hype-cycle is a phenomenon that is recurrently observed and spoken about in the context of emerging technologies. It is characterized by a wave of over-enthusiasm followed by a phase of disappointment, when promises are not met, and a later stage characterized by stabilization and maturity of the technology. A specific type of intermediary actor that has grown in relevance in recent years, known as technology consultants, plays an important role in assessing, deploying and making the “hype” visiblewithin an innovation community. In this paper I study how technology consultants assess “the hype” for the case of two emerging technologies: graphene and 3D printing. Wedescribe three different forms in which the hype is assessed: via technical expertise, as a social dynamic, and through social interaction. Each of these forms is a different way ofarranging technologies, expectations, and actors, attributing different forms of agency to the innovation process. These three forms of “th...

Science and Public Policy

Contribution to special issue Science and Public Policy 'The next generation of innovation policy... more Contribution to special issue Science and Public Policy 'The next generation of innovation policy: Directionality and the role of demand-oriented instruments'.

Energy & Environmental Science

Several application fields can benefit from solar-hydrogen technologies via specific short-term a... more Several application fields can benefit from solar-hydrogen technologies via specific short-term and long-term pathways.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Akteure, Erwartungen, Kontroversen und Konjunkturen, 2000

Technik in einer fragilen Welt, 2005

Reflexive Governance for Sustainable Development, 2006

... This is due to strong interlinkages between technological systems, natural resources ... extr... more ... This is due to strong interlinkages between technological systems, natural resources ... extreme scenario in which decentralisation, service orientation and interlinkage between sectors is ... Borup, M. 2003: Green Technology Foresight as Instrument in Governance for Sustainability. ...