News 2018

Here you can find the so far published news in 2018. News on publications you can find below. Subscribe to the ITAS news via RSS feed.

2018
Logo TABExpert dialogue on robotics in care

On 20 February 2019, an expert dialogue on robotics in care will take place in the German Bundestag.

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Climate protection – let’s dare it together!Climate-friendly everyday life

Together with citizens, the transdisciplinary project „Climate protection – let’s dare it together!” wants to develop alternatives for climate-friendly actions in the fields of nutrition, mobility and consumption. The Kickoff was on 16 November 2018.

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Integrative assessment of the German energy transitionWell meant, but also well done?

Scientists at ITAS have assessed the sustainability of the German energy transition. Their result: Nearly half of the indicators examined require rapid measures in order to achieve the sustainability goals.

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Brettspiel "Lebe global" des Quartier ZukunftPlaying sustainability

How can CO2 emissions be effectively restricted in a globalized world? A team of the ITAS´s real world lab has developed a board game for the didactical use e.g. at schools. It allows its players to immerse in crucial questions of sustainable living.

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TAB logoRace into a new space era?

A new TAB project provides an overview of developments and perspectives in German space research and industry, particularly against the background of current innovations and start-up dynamics.

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Erik FisherITAS welcomes guest researcher from the U.S.

Erik Fisher is dedicated to improve the social dimensions of science and technology. The professor from the Arizona State University (ASU) visits Karlsruhe to strengthen ties between TA and his Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) approach.

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Thematic evening „Endlager? Nein danke“Thematic evening "Endlager? Nein danke"

On Monday, 22. October 2018, at 6 p.m. the next session of the ITAS series of events technik.kontrovers will take place. Scientists and the audience will discuss about suitable solutions for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

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Energy Technology. Special Issue 5(7): Energy Research at Karlsruhe Institute of TechnologyPaper on sustainability of stationary batteries awarded

Scientists from ITAS have analyzed the CO2 footprint and life‐cycle costs of different batteries for stationary applications. An article on their results published in “Energy Technology” has been named one of the journal’s best articles of the year 2017.

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ENavi Tag CloudGuidance for the energy transition

The ENavi Kopernikus project combines the expertise of more than 80 institutions. An “inventory” of their diverse inter- and transdisciplinary methods and models will help jointly identify sustainable development paths for the future energy system.

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GCSO project: Implementing off-grid renewable energyCommunity development through energy access

Research teams from the Arizona State University and ITAS work jointly with local NGOs and enterprises. By applying research in off-grid and renewable energy access, they want to advance development in remote and rural communities worldwide.

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Logo European ParliamentScientific services for the EU Parliament

In June 2018, ITAS and its partners in the European Technology Assessment Group (ETAG) have been again selected as contractors for carrying out TA studies tailored towards the needs of the members of the European Parliament.

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Logo TABTAB is looking for experts on electromagnetic fields

In the project “Possible health effects of different frequency ranges of electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF)” an expert advice “Current research and results on EMF risks for children and possibly older people” is to be obtained.

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Photo: Markus Breig / KITExchanging knowledge for the energy transition

Making the energy transition accessible to the public and opening up new ways of participation are the goals of the “Energy transformation in dialogue” project, which started in June. It is part of the Transformation Center for Sustainable Futures.

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ITAS project on urban ropewaysProject on urban ropeways completed

Urban ropeways are increasingly considered as a public transport option, including cities in Baden-Württemberg. The ITAS project showed potentials and barriers regarding this topic; project reports and recommendations are now available.

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Foto: Anja EigenmannCooperation with “FrauenAkademie”

ITAS is breaking new ground to involve Karlsruhe citizens in civil dialogue and in research and development of knowledge. Within a course on “algae” at VHS Karlsruhe (Karlsruhe adult education center), participants also visited laboratories of the KIT.

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Conference on energy scenariosConference on energy scenarios

Providing orientation for the design of the future energy system is the promise of energy scenarios. How their quality can be assessed and which role they play for society, the economy, and politics will be discussed by experts in Karlsruhe in September.

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A scientific article that changes the worldA scientific article that changes the world

Researchers at ITAS have developed a monitoring system to assess the sustainability of the energy transition. Their corresponding publication has now been nominated by Springer Nature’s “Change the World” initiative.

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Andreas Lösch, Ko-Leiter des Forschungsbereichs Wissensgesellschaft und Wissenspolitik am ITASNew head of ITAS research area

Since June 2018, Andreas Lösch has been co-head of the research area Knowledge society and knowledge policy. The sociologist, habilitated at TU Darmstadt, has been researching at ITAS since 2011 – inter alia, on the topics of vision assessment and future knowledge.

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Logo of Büro für Technikfolgen-Abschätzung beim Deutschen BundestagDeutscher Bundestag commissions TAB for another 5 years

The Committee for Education, Research and Technology Assessment of the Deutscher Bundestag decided to continue to trust the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis for the operation of TAB until 2023.

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Real-world lab symposium in KarlsruheReal-world lab symposium in Karlsruhe

Politics, science, and civil society summed up three years of real-world laboratory research in Baden-Württemberg and discussed the future of the transdisciplinary approach. Significantly involved: the Karlsruhe District Future and Urban Transition Lab.
 

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Autonomous driving in the border triangleAutonomous driving in the border triangle

Supported by EUCOR, a consortium of five universities in the border triangle of Germany, France, and Switzerland, an interdisciplinary seminar on cross-border issues of autonomous driving was held on 29 and 30 May at ITAS.

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Bioeconomy in Baden-WürttembergBioeconomy in Baden-Württemberg

Researchers at ITAS have formulated recommendations for developing a bio-based economy in Baden-Württemberg, which are also relevant at national and EU level. Among other things, traditional pathways of biomass use should be strengthened.

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Risks of discrimination by algorithmsRisks of discrimination by algorithms

On behalf of the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency, ITAS investigates reasons, types, and dimensions of discrimination risks by the increasing use of digital algorithms. Also in the focus: options for action for an increased “algorithmic accountability”.

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Real-world lab community meets in KarlsruheReal-world lab community meets in Karlsruhe

On 27 April 2018, the real-world labs funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MKW) present their results. Among them and co-organizer of the symposium: the ITAS Urban Transition Lab 131.

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technik.kontrovers - „ZUKUNFT.ENERGIE.WENDE“Thematic evening “ZUKUNFT. ENERGIE. WENDE”

On Thursday, 12. April 2018, at 6 p.m. the next session of the ITAS series of events technik.kontrovers will take place. Scientists and the audience will discuss about the design of the energy system of the future.

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Assisitive technologies (ATs) and inclusion at workAssistive technologies and inclusion

The lives of people with disabilities can be shaped by assistive technologies (ATs). The European Technology Assessment Group (ETAG) led by ITAS studied the needs and perceptions that people with disabilities have on ATs.

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Logo TABOpportunities and risks of automatically personalized news on the Internet

The results of the newly launched survey are going to be incorporated into options for parliamentary work.

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Logo TABPresentation of TAB

The TAB was presented to the new committee on education, research and technology assessment.

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TechnoCitizenScienceResearch as a hobby

Counting birds and observing the stars are the most well-known forms of citizen science: ITAS researchers investigated in the TechnoCitizenScience (TCS) project how citizen science could look like in the context of technosciences.

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TAB LogoLegal Techs – algorithmic legal advice

The TAB's newly launched TA preliminary study analyzes the field of algorithmic legal advice and explores the need for political action.

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Logo TABTAB report is the basis for a study by the EU Parliament

On 8 February 2018, the EU Parliament called on the EU Commission to carry out a evaluation of the regulation on summer time and, if necessary, to submit a proposal for amendment.

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Venue of the International Graduate Summer School: Palacio de Miramar.Summer School on RRI

This year’s summer school in San Sebastian will set its focus on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Future Making. The organisers will accept applications until 28 February 2018.

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ITAS Urban Transition Lab in KarlsruheITAS Urban Transition Lab to be extended

The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts funds the establishment of the Karlsruhe Transformation Center for Sustainable Futures and Cultural Change (KAT) to consolidate the transdisciplinary ITAS activities in Karlsruhe.

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Energiesystemintegration ESIDiffusion analysis for battery technology

An increasing energy density and decreasing costs make the use of battery-based PV systems also attractive for private customers. ITAS has been mandated by the Helmholtz Association to develop options for a successful distribution of the technology.

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TABExperts wanted

The TAB is looking for experts in the topics „Aktuelle Forschungen und Ergebnisse zu EMF-Risiken für Kinder und ältere Menschen“ and „Digitalisierung der Landwirtschaft“.

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New publications

An overview of all publications you find here.

2018
news_2018_045_coverTATuP on civilian and military drones

Unmanned and increasingly autonomous flight systems conquer the airspace. TATuP 3/2018 deals with possible paths of technology development, its actors, and the need for a legal framework for current and future fields of application.

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news_2018_tab_003TAB-Brief explores expectations of TA in the 19th German Bundestag

The TAB-Brief Nr. 49 also provides an overview of the results of TAB's current investigations and informs about the work programme.

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Cover Energy as a Sociotechnical ProblemEnergy as a Sociotechnical Problem

The new book edited by ITAS scientists presents the ongoing transformation of energy supply as a multi-dimensional process. It focuses on the thesis that analytical dimensions interact with each other in shaping the energy future.

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news_2018_039_TA_in_Practice_and_TheoryTechnology Assessment in Practice and Theory

Head of ITAS Armin Grunwald gives a comprehensive overview on the field of TA – including the motivations for TA, its history and current practices. Based on profound experience he also provides a fresh theoretical perspective on TA in a global context.

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Der unterlegene Mensch von Armin GrunwaldThe inferior human being

Armin Grunwald also addresses a non-scientific audience with his new book. In his opinion, digitalization should be neither left to its own devices nor to global data enterprises. Instead, we have to actively press for its humane design.

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news_2018_035_yearbook_1ITAS Yearbook 2018 published

Scarcity of resources, converging infrastructures, digital transformation, and long-term governance: The first purely English Yearbook of the institute highlights selected topics and projects related to major societal issues.

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Cover TAB-Sensor Nr. 1How do young people rate personalized online media?

The new publication format “TAB-Sensor” presents social perceptions, evaluations and perspectives on scientific and technological change.

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IllustrationDegrowth and technology

Together with European degrowth experts, Linda Nierling from ITAS has edited a special issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production - the first in-depth collection of the role of technology on the path to a viable and convivial future.

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TATuP 2/2018 "Automatisiertes Fahren"TATuP on automated driving

Blessing or curse for a sustainable mobility system? In its current issue 2/2018, the Journal on Technology Assessment in Theory and Practice examines the societal, social, and ecological aspects of self-driving cars.

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news_2018_tab_002_coverCan robots contribute to good care?

The TAB working report No. 177 deals with the social implications, paying particular attention to the clarification of normative questions and the possibilities for the prospective design of technology development.

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Cover Personal SustainabilityPersonal Sustainability

The micro-level is crucial for the sustainability transformation, argue Oliver Parodi and Kaidi Tamm from ITAS. The book edited by them therefore focuses on human aspects of sustainability, up to now widely disregarded by mainstream academia.

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Robotics and Work: The future todayRobotics and Work: The future today

ITAS robotics expert António Brandão Moniz analyses the actual relation between employment and technology. By taking the example of Portugal he examines ethical, legal and social aspects of the ongoing process of automatization.

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TATuP 1/2018 “Theory of TA reloaded”TATuP “Theory of TA reloaded”

How should TA position itself as a research program that also provides policy advice? Issue 1/2018 of the Journal of Technology Assessment in Theory and Practice wants to give new impetus to the debate on theory formation.

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news_2018_009_Whitepaper_digitale_SouveränitätWhite Paper on Digital Sovereignty

Digital security gaps affect citizens as well as companies and governments. A group of IT security experts with Arnd Weber from ITAS pleads for the use of verified open source products in all the steps of the supply chain.

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news_2018_006_Publikation_GrandChallengesMastering “Grand Challenges”

Societal challenges such as digitalization, mobility, and energy supply are on top of Europe’s research agenda. The recently published proceedings of the 7th NTA Conference “‘Grand Challenges’ meistern”, explains the contribution of TA in this context.

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news_2018_tab_001_coverOnline citizen participation in parliamentary work

The newly published book “Online-Bürgerbeteiligung an der Parlamentarbeit” examines five offers of the German Bundestag and discusses options for further development.

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Sammelband Experimentelle GesellschaftExperimental society

The knowledge society announces itself in a change of experimental practices. Thus the new volume in the series “Gesellschaft – Technik – Umwelt” (Society – Technology – Environment) analyzes the form experiment as dispositif in Foucault’s sense.

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news_2018_002_Publikation_InvitroFleischBasic knowledge of in vitro meat

ITAS researchers have studied the risks and opportunities related to the production of lab-grown meat. A summary of the results is now available in a compact explanatory brochure.

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