Challenges and benefits of collaboration between specialists and “laypersons-neophytes”
Résumé
Is a person with no particular knowledge in a field-i.e. a layperson-neophyte-able to help a specialist in that field to produce new knowledge? Our doctoral research focused on the contribution of laypersons-neophytes in tools of technical democracy (typically consensus conferences). We will present the two experimental devices we implemented to answer our research question: i/ laboratory meetings between one researcher and laypersons-neophytes and ii/ interdisciplinary meetings between several specialists and laypersons-neophytes about a project for a hydrogen-powered school boat intended for a maritime high school. We will insist on the method used to constitute the group of lay volunteers and meeting tools ("common ground") designed to facilitate symmetrical communication between lay-neophytes and specialists.