Participatory Practices in Science & Technology
The Loka Institute has pioneered research and experimentation in participatory practices that offer everyday citizens the opportunity to have meaningful input into science and technology policies. Science-based technological developments ranging from an automobile-based transportation system to centralized electric power grids and digital information systems arguably shape the contemporary quality of life, in both positive and negative ways, as profoundly as other primary social institutions, such as religion and the family.
Despite the significance of S&T in our lives, the ordinary citizens who pay for research and development (through taxes and corporate revenues) and experience the benefits and burdens of its outputs have practically no input into the priorities and practices of the research system.