Consensus-oriented topic identification in the Bundestag

Proposals to conduct an investigation can be made by all committees and parliamentary groups of the German Bundestag (also jointly).

For each topic proposal, the TAB submits a statement on the question of its scientific feasibility as well as further considerations on the objectives, contents and methods of a possible project.

Under the guidance of the committee chairperson, the rapporteur group for TA discusses the factual, political and social relevance of the proposed topics with the TAB representatives. On this basis, the topics to be investigated are selected by consensus and submitted to the ABFTA for decision.

Despite the cross-sectional nature of many of the technologies and issues to be analysed, looking back on more than 30 years of parliamentary TA, thematic focal points can be identified: Biotechnologies and Health, Digital Society and Economy, Energy and Environment, Infrastructures and Security, and Agriculture and Food.

Inter- or transdisciplinary and collaborative implementation

Following the decision by the ABFTA, the TAB is responsible for the scientific processing and management of the projects. At the beginning, the respective project team conducts intensive research and expert discussions on relevant research questions and results. These also serve to identify and adress conflicting scientific opinions and controversial positions of various interest groups.

The TAB works scientifically in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner. The project team observes and evaluates current scientific discussions as well as topic-related public and political debates throughout the entire duration of the project. For central questions of a TA or monitoring project, the TAB proposes to the ABFTA the assignment of expert opinions to external experts or scientific institutions. The cooperation with the external experts and the evaluation of the expert opinions form a core part of the project work. Workshops and expert discussions are held in the Bundestag to discuss interim results. Frequently, research organisations, companies, civil society groups, public authorities or citizens are also involved in the investigation process. In this way, communication between science, society and the German Bundestag as well as the transfer of knowledge and opinions can take place even before the projects are completed. The results of all activities are compiled by TAB and the project is concluded with a final report.

Approval and publication of the project results

The TA rapporteur group reviews and comments on the final reports from TA projects and short studies and, by consensus, proposes that the ABFTA approve and publish it as a Bundestag printed matter. Frequently, project results are presented in the ABFTA or form the basis of expert discussions in other committees of the German Bundestag. In principle, all results are made freely available.

Content-related and institutional neutrality and independence

Content-related and institutional neutrality and independence are an essential cornerstone of the consulting services. All investigations are carried out in a comprehensible manner. Assumptions and value judgements are disclosed and justified, work results are presented in a reader-friendly and parliamentary-oriented manner - i.e. oriented towards the information needs and responsibilities of the German Bundestag. In performing their tasks for the Bundestag, the head and staff of TAB are not subject to any instructions from their employer or the Bundestag.

TA projects

In TA projects, complex topics of scientific and technological development are examind using a broad analytic approach. These topics can also have a pronounced cross-sectional character and are of long-term importance to society. The guiding principle of comprehensive sustainable development forms a central orientation for the analysis and assessment of scientific-technological, economic and social future potentials as well as associated options for research and political action.

Brief projects

If the TA Rapporteurs Group decides that there is a short-term need for information and consultation by Parliament, TAB prepares brief topic profiles and brief studies within three to nine months.

Monitoring

Relevant partial aspects of the change in science, technology and society (e.g. state of research and development, regulation, international comparisons) and their possible effects are examined in monitoring projects with a thematic focus.

Innovation analyses

Innovation analyses deal with fields with particular dynamics of the innovation process in scientific-technical and social terms, which can be expected to have a large application potential and can therefore have a particularly strong influence on the structural change of the economy, science and society.

Horizon scanning/technology foresight

Horizon scanning/technology foresight is used to observe scientific and technological trends at an early stage of their development and to place them in the context of societal debates in order to identify innovation signals as early as possible and to assess their relevance. The focus is on topics to be determined by the TA rapporteur group in each case, which reflect scientific and technological trends and/or specific areas of societal need. To a certain extent, horizon scanning is also carried out on an open-topic basis. Results from horizon scanning appear as topic profiles.

Discourse analysis and dialogue with societal actors

The promotion of public dialogue and the facilitation of opinion formation in society are an important part of parliamentary TA. A systematic exchange of experiences and opinions with societal actors in the German Bundestag is of particular importance in the identification and structuring of topics and in the public discussion of the results. With the help of participatory discourse analyses, attitudes and debates with regard to future demand and action requirements are investigated in a representative manner in order to be able to systematically consider societal needs and positions in TA studies. Selected empirical surveys are published in the TAB-Sensor series.

Further development of TA concepts and methods

The ongoing national and international discussion on topics, concepts and methods of TA is monitored and evaluated by TAB and made usable for the various TA fields of work.

International cooperation

Cooperation in the »European Parliamentary Technology Assessment Network« (EPTA) forms the basis for strengthening international parliamentary technology assessment throughout Europe and beyond.