Getting to know the public - p71

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.419

As research into the public perception of nanotechnology becomes more complex and rigorous, it is increasingly clear that greater public awareness of nanotechnology will not, on its own, automatically lead to widespread public acceptance.

Full text - Getting to know the public | PDF (62 KB) - Getting to know the public

Nanotechnology and society: New insights into public perceptions - pp79 - 80

Steven C. Currall

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.423

Research into public perceptions of nanotechnology is becoming more rigorous as increasingly complex theoretical models are developed and tested by social scientists.

Full text - Nanotechnology and society: New insights into public perceptions | PDF (78 KB) - Nanotechnology and society: New insights into public perceptions

Cultural cognition of the risks and benefits of nanotechnology - pp87 - 90

Dan M. Kahan, Donald Braman, Paul Slovic, John Gastil & Geoffrey Cohen

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.341

A sample of 1,862 adults was presented with balanced information on the risks and benefits of nanotechnology. Subjects did not react in a uniform manner, but polarized along lines consistent with cultural predispositions towards technological risk generally.

Abstract - Cultural cognition of the risks and benefits of nanotechnology | Full text - Cultural cognition of the risks and benefits of nanotechnology | PDF (176 KB) - Cultural cognition of the risks and benefits of nanotechnology | Supplementary information

Religious beliefs and public attitudes toward nanotechnology in Europe and the United States - pp91 - 94

Dietram A. Scheufele, Elizabeth A. Corley, Tsung–jen Shih, Kajsa E. Dalrymple & Shirley S. Ho

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.361

Research suggests that citizens use 'religious filters' as an important cognitive shortcut for many scientific issues, including nanotechnology. Combining the results of surveys in the United States and Europe, it has been found that US respondents were significantly less likely to agree that nanotechnology is morally acceptable than respondents in many European countries. These moral views correlated directly with aggregate levels of religiosity in each country.

Abstract - Religious beliefs and public attitudes toward nanotechnology in Europe and the United States | Full text - Religious beliefs and public attitudes toward nanotechnology in Europe and the United States | PDF (177 KB) - Religious beliefs and public attitudes toward nanotechnology in Europe and the United States | Supplementary information

Deliberating the risks of nanotechnologies for energy and health applications in the United States and United Kingdom - pp95 - 98

Nick Pidgeon, Barbara Herr Harthorn, Karl Bryant & Tee Rogers–Hayden

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.362

Public surveys provide valuable information on how people view nanotechnology, but cannot easily uncover more detailed responses to the complexities of any new technology. Four concurrent workshops debating energy and health nanotechnologies in the US and UK found that energy applications were viewed more positively than those for health in both countries.

Abstract - Deliberating the risks of nanotechnologies for energy and health applications in the United States and United Kingdom | Full text - Deliberating the risks of nanotechnologies for energy and health applications in the United States and United Kingdom | PDF (116 KB) - Deliberating the risks of nanotechnologies for energy and health applications in the United States and United Kingdom

Hearts and minds and nanotechnology

Chris Toumey

doi:10.1038/nnano.2009.16

New research by social scientists is presenting a clearer picture of the factors that influence the public perception of nanotechnology, and the results present challenges for those working to increase public acceptance of nanoscience and technology.

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What drives public acceptance of nanotechnology?

Steven C. Currall, Eden B. King, Neal Lane, Juan Madera & Stacey Turner

doi:10.1038/nnano.2006.155

Full text - What drives public acceptance of nanotechnology? | PDF (556 KB) - What drives public acceptance of nanotechnology?

Risks and nanotechnology: the public is more concerned than experts and industry

Michael Siegrist, Arnim Wiek, Asgeir Helland & Hans Kastenholz

doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.10

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Scientists worry about some risks more than the public

Dietram A. Scheufele, Elizabeth A. Corley, Sharon Dunwoody, Tsung–Jen Shih, Elliott Hillback & David H. Guston

doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.392

Full text - Scientists worry about some risks more than the public | PDF (164 KB) - Scientists worry about some risks more than the public

What have we learned from public engagement?

Richard Jones

doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.123

Full text - What have we learned from public engagement? | PDF (673 KB) - What have we learned from public engagement?

Rules of engagement

Chris Toumey

doi:10.1038/nnano.2007.204

Full text - Rules of engagement | PDF (588 KB) - Rules of engagement

Questions and answers

Chris Toumey

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.256

Full text - Questions and answers | PDF (194 KB) - Questions and answers

When it pays to ask the public

Richard Jones

doi:10.1038/nnano.2008.288

Full text - When it pays to ask the public | PDF (260 KB) - When it pays to ask the public