GROUP 1 PRESENTATION
DEMOCRATIZATION
DEMOCRATIZE - To make (something)
accessible to everyone
Overview of the Topic
• The ultimately goal is to structure
science and technology in ways that
are collectively the most
democratically beneficial way.
Democratization in Science
Creating institutions and practices that fully
incorporate principles of accessibility,
transparency, and accountability. It means
considering the societal outcomes of
research at least as attentively as the
scientific outputs
Knowledge Diffusion
Spreading knowledge out over a large
portion of people and not concentrated in
one area
• 1st Wave - The Production of mass
produced books and creation of
printing press
• 2nd Wave - Spread of Colleges and
higher education to create a
productive citizen and cultured
person
• 3rd Wave - Rise of Third Culture
Products – AI, computers human
genetics and cyberspace)
Example of Democratization in Science
Teachers in Classroom - The role of teachers
is to help students to access knowledge
about science by means of teaching
Citizen Science - is a scientific research
conducted, in whole or in part, by amateurs
scientists. Citizen science is sometimes
described as "public participation in
scientific research whose outcomes are often
advancements in scientific research, as well
as an increase in the public's understanding
of science.
Tour Guides as Citizen Scientist
Provides not only the guidance and safety
but also impart knowledge about the place.
Democratization in Technology
The process by which access to technology
rapidly continues to become more accessible
to more people
Example of Democratization in
Technology
Solar Power in Rural Areas - the function of
solar panels is to increase the availability of
electricity to remote areas
Role of STS in Democratization of
Technoscience
 STS serves as a location for
discussing key societal and ethical
issues of interest and concern to a
democratic public
 STS offers a set of conceptual tools
and insights, themselves continually
open to reflexive analysis and further
evolution as scholars and activists
gain even more experience in
understanding science and
technology
 STS creates bridge that enables to
people to access science and
technology