IS-BILAT-Mobilitet Norge-USA /Canada

The project examines how the social implications of carbon capture and storage (CCS) have been communicated by environmental NGOs (ENGOs). Research in Norway and the U.S. will be used to compare national characteristics of ENGO science communication, with particular reference to the links between social and technical elements in public discourse. The project aims are: i) to fill a research gap on the discursive characteristics of Norwegian environmental actors, ii) to contribute to the theoretical develop ment of Science and Technology Studies (STS) on the links between social change and public communication of technological issues, and iii) to compare issue framing in the U.S. and Norway in order to contribute to ongoing STS research on public engagement with CCS in both countries. A 9 month visit to the Department of Science & Technology Studies at Cornell University will facilitate the U.S. fieldwork and course component of the applicant's PhD. This is one of the leading research communities on public engagement with science, and the applicant's host advisor, Professor Bruce V. Lewenstein, shares the applicant's dual interest in the fields of STS and Communication. The visit is designed to: i) strengthen the overall PhD project quality by having the co nduction of fieldwork, data analysis and finalization of one journal article, supervised by a leading expert on science communication, and by attending two doctoral courses specifically addressing issues relevant for the PhD project, ii) to strengthen con nections between the applicant's home and host institution as an initial basis for potential long term research cooperation, iii) to improve the applicant's ability to teach and supervise master students upon returning to his home institution by attending highly specialized doctoral level courses complementing those offered at his home institution, iv) to present the applicant's research at one international STS conference to be held in the U.S. in November 2011.