Which research in converging technologies should taxpayers fund? Exploring societal aspects

Contributions of social sciences and humanities to the debate on converging technologies at the nanoscale are mostly seen as conservative and pessimistic about the potential of science and technology to bring anything good to society. In this paper, it is argued that our global society cannot do without the contributions of nano-scientists and engineers to ensure the long-term sustainable development to the benefit of humanity. However, the community of traditional stakeholders in research policy (researchers, research policy-makers and industry) should take further steps outside its ‘ivory tower’ or ‘old boys’ ‘network’ and focus on a research agenda set by all stakeholders in public. The argument will be developed in a case study of converging technologies used in combating infectious diseases, comparing the priorities in current research programmes in Europe to the priorities identified by the World Health Organization.