Technologies, Publics and Power
The Terrain of the 6^th Framework in NZ and Beyond

Akaroa, New Zealand
1-5 February 2004

Papers and Photos

Conference Announcement | Papers | Keynote Speakers | Registration | Poster
Programme | Organisers | Key Dates | Venue | Accommodation | Links | Contacts

Conference Announcement

The National Centre for Research on Europe and the Science and Technology Studies Network from the University of Canterbury are pleased to announce the 'Technologies, Publics and Power Conference' to be held at Akaroa, near Christchurch, New Zealand on 1-5 February 2004. Akaroa is 85km from Christchurch, on the east coast of the South Island. The organisers would like to acknowledge the contributions of the European Union and the Royal Society of New Zealand in helping make this conference possible.

Relations between "science and society" or "technology and the public" are increasingly a preoccupation of scientific, business, and governmental elites. One important reason for this is public opposition to the deployment of already developed technologies. The public opposition to genetically modified food, in particular, has catalysed interest in societal or public understanding of science, trust or mistrust of experts, and attitudes towards technology. At the same time, it has fed public demands for more control over the technological developments that will affect their lives and their environments.

These concerns have increasingly shaped public research funding agendas in both NZ and the EU. In NZ, the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology have recently earmarked funds for research on new methods for science/society “dialogue” and on social, cultural, ethical and spiritual implications of the new technologies. Similarly, the Sixth Framework Programme for Research of the European Union has made “Citizens and governance in a knowledge-based society” a “priority field”, while the issues of science/society relations and “dialogue” as well as the ethical implications of science and technology are prioritised for the Programme as a whole by the “Science and Society” theme.

This conference seeks to bring together New Zealanders, Europeans, and others working in these areas to share research findings and approaches. It also seeks to create a space in which social researchers can explore the meaning of their own role in this science/government/industry/public matrix.

Papers are welcome for any of the following session themes.

1. Constructing Technoscientific Publics
2. Indigenous Communities and Technoscience
3. Communicating Science and Technology: Education and Empowerment
4. Gendering Technoscientific Controversy
5. "Expert", "Lay", and "Local" Knowledges in Technoscientific Controversy
6. "Governance", “Trust” and Technoscience

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Registration

Early registration closes on 31 October 2003. The conference fee will be NZ$300 ($350 for late registrations - after 31 October) with a student fee of $150. For those people wanting to attend for just one day a day rate of $100 has been set. Click here for registration forms in either pdf or word format. These should be printed off and faxed or posted to the National Centre for Research on Europe. Forms can also be emailed, however please be aware of the risks involved in emailing credit card details. Cancellation of registration prior to 5 January 2004 will incur a $25 administration fee, after this date no refunds can be made.

The registration fee includes lunch, morning and afternoon teas as detailed on the time table, registration event on Sunday afternoon, transport from the University of Canterbury to Akaroa and a CD Rom of the conference proceedings. The fee does not include the conference dinner or excursions.

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Papers

Convenors will need full papers by the 5 December 2003 to produce conference proceedings on CD Rom. Proceedings of the papers presented will be provided at the conference. Full papers should be between 4000 and 6000 words; presentations will be allocated approximately 20 minutes. We prefer that abstracts and papers use the APA style. Any queries regarding word limits or document formats can be addressed to the administrator by email.

If you are interested in presenting at or attending the conference or being included on an emailing list for further information about the conference, please email the conference coordinator.

Keynote Speakers

• Ida-Elisabeth Andersen, Danish Board of Technology
• Michael Burgess, Professor and Chair in Biomedical Ethics, University of British Columbia
• Rob Hagendijk, Dean, The International School for Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Amsterdam
• Debra Harry (Northern Paiute), Director, Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism
• Brian Wynne, Professor of Science Studies, University of Lancaster

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Conference Programme

Programme available here.

Programme schedule:

Excursion options will be presented at the conference. Costs are dependent on numbers participating. Further details will be available soon.

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Organisers

Joanna Goven (chair)
Julie Wuthnow
Jessica Johnston
Jim Tully
Hazel Ashton
Chandra Harrison (administrator)

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Key Dates

31 October - Early registrations Close
28 November - Registrations Close
5 December 2003 - Paper Deadline
1 February 2004 - Conference Begins

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Venue

Akaroa is a small town on Banks Peninsula, 85km from Christchurch, New Zealand. Its beautiful harbour is home to the rare Hector's Dolphins.

The conference acknowledges Ngai Tahu, the indigenous tribe for most of the South Island (Te Waipounamu or greenstone waters) as well as the local peoples of the area, Ngai Tawera. The area where the conference is to be held is steeped in interesting and important history. Looking down on the Akaroa Harbour is Mount Basu or Tuhiraki, the place where Rakaihautu, reputed to be the first explorer in the district, buried his digging spade indicating his desire to settle. As visitors travel over the hill to look down into the beautiful Akaroa Harbour, Onawe Pa (the Ngai Tahu fighting fortress of old) dominates as it juts out into the harbour. This is where the fighting chief Te Rauparaha, responsible for writing the haka performed by the All Blacks, used a British ship and guns to defeat the local Ngai Tahu tribe in the early 19th century. Akaroa was also home to many French settlers in New Zealand's pioneer days and maintains the charm of a French village to this day.

The Gaiety Hall, the venue for the conference, is another part of the Town's history, lovingly restored in the past few years by a group of local volunteers. The perfect place for a sociable conference, Akaroa boasts a variety of accommodation options and tourist activities.

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Accommodation and Transport

Conference participants are asked to make their own accommodation arrangements. Participants are advised to book as soon as possible--Akaroa is a popular spot for summer holidays and can be booked out. Some accommodation websites are noted below, but for a wider range of options we strongly recommend visiting the following website: www.akaroa.com Click on Where to Stay. If you have particular questions or requirements regarding accommodation, please email akaroa.info@clear.net.nz in the first instance.

Akaroa Village Inn - http://www.akaroa.co.nz
Akaroa Driftwood and Wai iti Motels - http://www.driftwood.co.nz

Further accommodation options may be posted here in the future.

Buses will be arranged to take participants to Akaroa from the reception at University of Canterbury or you can make your own way there from Christchurch. Return travel is the responsibility of the individual participant. There are however daily shuttles from Akaroa to Christchurch at a very reasonable rate.

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Related Website Links

National Centre for Research on Europe
Science and Technology Studies Network
Akaroa District Promotions
French Farm
Akaroa Harbour Cruises
Ngai Tahu

Contact Details

Please contact conference administrator Chandra Harrison for further information

National Centre for Research on Europe,
Level Two - Geography Building,
University of Canterbury,
Private Bag 4800,
Christchurch,
New Zealand,
Phone: +64 3 3642348
Fax: +64 3 3642634
Email: chandra.harrison@canterbury.ac.nz

Please bookmark this site as it will be updated regularly with information about planning progress and requirements of participants.

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Conference Announcement | Papers | Keynote Speakers | Registration
Programme | Organisers | Key Dates | Venue | Accommodation | Links | Contacts

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