Consensus conferences as participatory policy analysis: A methodological contribution to the social management of technology

In a participatory style, various types of policy-relevant actors participate and communicate actively during the process of analysis, although the objectives and nature of participation can differ extensively from case to case. The consensus conference has attracted great interest from policy analysts, technology assessment (TA) institutions, and technology policy makers in Europe. The management of complex policy problems is determined by three strategic needs. Policy analysis requires: knowledge management, process management, and network management. The flow of policy-relevant information can be portrayed from the initiator via the policy analyst to the relevant societal stakeholders or participants. The consensus conference is a method to establish active public participation and consultation in science and technology. The interest in consensus conferences by organisations and institutions outside Denmark may partly be explained by developments in science and technology policy in Europe. Human genetics research has been the subject of TA in many countries such as Denmark, the UK and the United States.