Expert and Citizen Assessment of Science and Technology (ECAST)

The pace and complexity of technological change increase daily, but the far-reaching social ramifications of that change may not be fully understood until new technologies have become entrenched. These can include social, economic, and environmental impacts with long-term significance. ECAST is a national nonpartisan network of policy research institutions, universities, and science museums working together to foster the development of balanced, nonpartisan technology assessments and related public engagement activities. The goal is to contribute to better-informed civic decision-making processes concerning science and technology development and implementation. ECAST uses synergistic expert, stakeholder, and citizen participation approaches to technology assessment, seeking continuous improvement in methodology, and disseminates results broadly. In 2012, ECAST coordinated US participation in the global citizen consultation project World Wide Views on Biodiversity.

ECAST founding partners are:

• The Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes at Arizona State University
• The Loka Institute
• The Museum of Science, Boston
• Science Cheerleader
• Science and Technology Innovation Program

For more information, email dsittenfeld@mos.org.