Participatory Technology Assessment

Participatory technology assessment (pTA) involves lay citizens and stakeholders—not only experts—in assessing the social, ethical, and political dimensions of technologies. Through structured deliberative formats such as consensus conferences, citizens' juries, and scenario workshops, ordinary people are informed, allowed to question experts, and helped to form and articulate a considered collective view, which is then fed into public and policy debate. pTA democratises technology assessment, treating the public not as a problem to be managed but as a legitimate voice in technological choices.