Science Cafés

Science cafés are informal, public dialogue events concerned with a broad variety of issues pertaining to scientific and technological developments. They usually take place in cafés, bars, or pubs. Most science cafés aim at providing their publics with an opportunity to ask all kinds of questions and to form their own opinion about science. Because of its novelty, but also because of its possible impact on health, environment, and society, nanotechnology has been a popular topic of science cafés in many countries across the world.

Since the late 1990s, science cafés have emerged across the world as an international grassroots movement. Although most science cafés are local and unique, three typical types of science cafés are generally recognized. The British Café Scientifiques have an invited speaker, usually a scientist, engineer, or science writer, speaking for about 30 minutes on a topic with a scientific basis and some social relevance. Organizations such as British Council and the Wellcome Trust have actively supported the spread of the Café Scientifique model worldwide. The French model of Bar des Sciences includes a panel of presenters and a moderator to engage a discussion about political and philosophical aspects of science and technology. The Copenhagen school of science cafés also has panel and a moderator, but strongly emphasizes interdisciplinarity and typically takes up cultural and aesthetic aspects of science and technology. A few science cafés with nanotechnology topics include the following:

Nanotechnology Meets Art. This café was organized by the Copenhagen science café, and held in a public café on May 15, 2001. The presenters were a nanoscientist and an artist. As point of departure for the dialogue, the science café featured a video clip of a performance by the Danish theater company Hotel Pro Format, which includes artistic interpretations of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology: Grey Goo, or Good News. Organized by the Café Scientifique in Leeds, and held on October 6, 2003, a professor from a nearby university spoke about nanotechnology threats and opportunities.

The Science Café-Nanotechnology. This group was jointly organized by the Museum of Life and Science and the Duke University Sigma Xi Chapter, and was held on September 28, 2006, in the museum café. The event had two nanotechnologists sharing their views on nanotechnology, followed by a dialogue about possible [Page 700]benefits and risks as well as the issue of who should play a major role in shaping the future of nanotechnology.

Nanotechnologies: Wonders of Science or Invisibles Dangers? This café was organized by the Bar des Sciences in Quebec and was held (in French) on February 24, 2009, in the city of Sherbrooke in southeastern Quebec. The event included three scientists and a sociologist debating nanotechnology. The event was moderated by a Radio Canada journalist and aired on their radio station. In Wisconsin, the Nanotechnology Citizen Engagement Organization organizes regular nano cafés. The cafés are held in different venues, such as coffee shops, libraries, or community centers. The cafés include speakers explaining their work, and answering questions from the public.