Public Seminar by Szczepan Lemańczyk

Szczepan Lemańczyk is a PhD-student at the Institute for Science and Society, University of Nottingham, UK. He is currently a Universitas-21 Research Visitor, School of English, Media Studies and Art History. You are invited to attend his public seminar: “Debates on nanotechnology in Swedish, Polish and Iranian press – a cross-national comparison”

Research into media coverage of nanotechnology has flourished in recent years. However, most research was focused on Western countries, especially North America and the United Kingdom. Only few researchers investigated media in non-English speaking countries, such as Germany, Norway, Italy or the Netherlands. Finally, only very little research has been carried out into the discussion of potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology in Northern and Central European countries, and no research at all deals with media coverage in developing countries. This presentation discusses the results of the study of media nano-debate in Sweden, Poland and Iran. The three countries chosen for this study represent different perspectives on modern science reflected through the lenses of different cultures, religions, languages, economies and political systems. Qualitative content analysis of the articles published between 2004 and 2009 in Swedish, Polish and Iranian newspapers has been conducted in order to find out the cross-national differences in the debates on nanotechnology. The presentation discusses themes, tone and frames used in the articles, actors active in the debates, as well as the way these debates have been changing during the studied time period.

Where: Meeting room 208, Joyce Ackroyd Building 37

Date: Thursday 9 August 2012

Time: 2 - 3pm

Flyer can be downloaded here