Skip to main content
  • Book
  • © 2017

Nanotechnology and Scientific Communication

Ways of Talking about Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Society (2004-2008)

  • Examines a diversity of voices within the nanoscience community, from interviews with prominent scientists to observations in the field
  • Presents nuanced perspectives of scientists on emerging science, ethics, and society
  • Identifies elements of a distinctive way of speaking about science and technology

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check for access.

Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-vii
  2. Introduction and Overview

    • Deborah R. Bassett
    Pages 1-22
  3. Ways of Speaking about Social Relations

    • Deborah R. Bassett
    Pages 55-75
  4. Strategic Conduct in a Code of Science

    • Deborah R. Bassett
    Pages 77-113
  5. Evidence for Multiple Speech Codes

    • Deborah R. Bassett
    Pages 115-130
  6. Conclusions

    • Deborah R. Bassett
    Pages 131-140
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 141-155

About this book

This study examines findings from a 4-year-long ethnography of communication among a research university’s community of scientists and engineers working in nanoscience and nanotechnology. It includes analysis of 20 in-depth interviews with scientists and engineers from 18 different disciplines self-identified as working in nanoscale science and engineering. Using multiple methods of inquiry, including fieldwork, interviews, and textual analysis, elements of a shared speech code are presented, each of which indicate culturally distinctive understandings of psychology, sociology and rhetoric. In particular, the interview data addresses questions such as “What kind of person is a scientist?” “What is the role of science in society?” and “What is the role of communication in science?” This book will appeal to readers interested in science and society, scientific communication, and ethnography of communication.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Department of Communication, University of West Florida, Pensacola, USA

    Deborah R. Bassett

About the author

Deborah R. Bassett is Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Communication at the University of West Florida, USA where she conducts research and teaches courses in communication and culture. She holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Washington, USA.


Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Nanotechnology and Scientific Communication

  • Book Subtitle: Ways of Talking about Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Society (2004-2008)

  • Authors: Deborah R. Bassett

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95201-4

  • Publisher: Palgrave Pivot New York

  • eBook Packages: Social Sciences, Social Sciences (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-349-95200-7Published: 31 May 2017

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-349-95201-4Published: 29 May 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: VII, 155

  • Topics: Sociology, general, Nanotechnology and Microengineering, Engineering Ethics, Computers and Society

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access