- Nano Cafés ?
- Previous Nano Cafés and other events

Nano Cafés ?

The concept of the Café Scientifique originates in 1997 from France, where Cafés Philosophiques were already well established, and in 1998 from England.

Since then, Cafés Scientifiques have sprung up not only in Europe but also elsewhere across the world. Madison's Nano Cafés are slightly different however. They focus on nanotechnology.

The Nano Cafés give citizens access to the normally somewhat mysterious realm of nanotechnology research.

From potentially hazardous nano-sunscreens and cosmetics to privacy concerns raised by biosensors, from environmental and medical to military uses of nanotechnology, we want Madison-area residents to have a unique opportunity to be informed and have their say about technological developments.

The Nano Café provides a casual atmosphere in which people who want to know more about nanotechnology can listen to experts, ask questions and share ideas.

The Nano Cafés are held in different parts of the community -coffee shops, libraries, or community centers- in order to reach diverse audiences.

Experts, scientists, policymakers, activists explain their work, answer questions and address concerns from members of the public as part of a lively conversation about the impact of recent research.

The focus of the event is definitely on the questions of those in attendance, most of whom are non-scientists. No science background is required!

In order for Nano Cafés to be as democratic and participative as possible, a growing number of citizens are actively involved in organizing Nano Cafes—helping to select topics, scientists, readings, and even presenting information about nanotechnology at the events.

Attendees are also asked to point out the themes they want to hear more about during the next Nano Cafés.

You are also invited to submit your questions/comments or join us and help organize future Nano Cafés.

Previous Nano Cafés and other events

- Nano Table, July 2008
- 6th Nano Café, January 2008
- 5th Nano Café, October 2007
- NanoPub with Andrew Maynard, May 2007
- 4th Nano Café, March 2007
- 3rd Nano Café, January 2007
- 2nd Nano Café, October 2006
- 1st Nano Café, July 2006
- Second Science Café, January 2006
- First Science Café, October 2005
- Madison's Consensus Conference on Nanotechnology, April 2005

Nano Table, July 2008:

• Topic: Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food
• Date: Sunday - July 20, 2008
• Location: Northside Farmers Market, Madison

  More details here

Sixth Nano Café, January 2008:

• Topic: Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food
• Date: Sunday - January 20, 2008
• Location: Northside Farmers Market, Madison

  More details here

Fifth Nano Café, October 2007:

• Speakers:
  - Robert Hamers, Chemist and Associate Director of the Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center (NSEC)
  - Joel Pedersen, Environmental engineer in the NSEC

• Topic: Nanotechnology and the Environment
• Date: Tuesday - October 23, 2007
• Location: Warner Park Center, Madison
• Images: Pictures - Slideshow

  More details here

NanoPub with Andrew Maynard, May 2007:

• Guest: Dr. Andrew Maynard, chief scientist at the Woodrow Wilson Center's Project on Emerging Nanotechnology, in Washington DC.

• Topic: Nanotechnology research and development, potential benefits and risks of nanotechnology applications, current and future regulations for the industries, and public engagement in nanotechnology
• Date: Monday - May 21, 2007
• Location: the Brocach Pub, Madison

  More details here

Fourth Nano Café, March 2007:

• Speakers:
  -Sean Palecek, UW Madison - Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center
  - Simon Silver & Le T Phung, UIC – Department of Microbiology & Immunology

• Topic: The widespread use of nano-antimicrobials and public health
• Date: Thursday - March 22, 2007
• Location: the Memorial Union, on UW-Madison campus, 800 Langdon St. in Tripp Commons.

  More details here

Third Nano Café, January 2007:

• Speaker: Dr. Maria Powell, NSEC - UW Madison

• Topic: Presentation of the Nano Products on the market
• Date: Monday - January 22, 2007
• Location: the South Madison Branch Library, 2222 S. Park Street

More details here

Second Nano Café, October 2006:

• Speaker: Dr. Maria Powell, NSEC - UW Madison

• Topic: Overview of the societal issues raised by applications of nanotechnology
• Date: Thursday - October 26, 2006
• Location: the Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave

More details here

First Nano Café, July 2006:

• Speaker: La Follette School of Public Affairs associate professor Clark Miller
• Topic: Overview of the societal issues raised by applications of nanotechnology
• Date: Tuesday - July 18, 2006
• Location: Fair Trade Coffee, 418 State Street, Madison

More details here

Second Science Café, January 2006

• Speaker: Climatologist Stephen Vavrus, associate scientist at the UW-Madison Center for Climatic Research
• Topic: Climate change
• Date: Sunday - January 29, 2006
• Press article: Climate One Of Top Issues, Scientist Says: The Capital Times - January 30, 2006
• Location: Roman Candle Pizza, 1054 Williamson Street, Madison
• Documents: Poster of the event

First Science Café, October 2005

• Speaker: Chemist Sam Gellman, professor at the UW-Madison Department of Chemistry

• Topic: Beta-Proteins
• Date: Sunday - October 23, 2005
• Press article: A Free And Easy Way To Learn Science and Sound Smart. Scientists To Share Knowledge At New Cafe Chats: the Wisconsin State Journal – October 22, 2005
• Location: Roman Candle Pizza, 1054 Williamson Street, Madison

Madison's Consensus Conference on Nanotechnology: April 2005

For three Sundays in April a group of thirteen Madison area citizens from a variety of backgrounds gathered to participate in an innovative democratic process for obtaining lay perspectives on the future development of nanotechnologies.

Modeled on a deliberative process pioneered in Denmark in the 1980s, Madison’s first consensus conference aimed to allow area citizens to consider the promises and perils of the many possible future nanotechnologies before they reach the market.

Citizen panelists received a packet of background reading and then met to discuss the readings and develop a list of questions about the technology.
At their second meeting, participants gathered with a group of seven specialists from a range of fields, including engineering, toxicology, policy analysis, communications, and bioethics.
These specialists addressed the citizens’questions in a public forum.
On the basis of their reading and two discussion sessions, citizen panelists drafted recommendations.



• Press articles:

  - Technology Report Pioneers Citizen Participation, Group Calls for Oversight of Nanotechnology: The Daily Cardinal - April 29, 2005

  - Nano-sized, Huge Impact On Society: The Capital Times - April 29, 2005

  - Nanotechnology Recommendations: The Capital Times - April 29, 2005

  - Teaching People About Nanotechnology: The Wisconsin State Journal – August 30, 2005