Perspectives on Technology, Society and Innovation: Report on the 4S/EASST Joint Conference 'Design and Displacement'

To focus on processes of scientific and technological design and on how newly designed objects are used in different ways than initially intended (“displaced”), the organizers (the Society for Social Studies on Science-4S and the European Association of Studies on Science and Technology-EASST) chose the conference theme “Design and Displacement”. The concept of design here referred to innovative processes in forming new ideas and material objects. This general idea was reflected in a multitude of sub-topics. Approximately 1.650 participants met in Copenhagen to discuss 1.352 papers in 320 sessions. Just reporting on all of those we attended would give a tedious read. Instead, the spotlight will be turned on a few sessions, which we found particularly interesting or challenging with a view on technology assessment research.