We are delighted to relaunch openta.net!

We have completely redesigned the portal, expanded its content and language. Here is an overview of the most important new features:

When you look at the main page, the first thing you notice is that openTA now has a more modern and tidier look. For the new layout, we have opted for 10 different categories. You can show or hide these depending on your interests.

What is Technology Assessment?

This is a question that may sound familiar. Together with ITAS in Karlsruhe, we have summarised the key points in a short and understandable way. These include characteristics, an explanatory video and recommendations of further literature.

This section provides an ideal introduction to Technology Assessment for anyone who wants to learn about it in general. It is also intended for TA researchers who require basics for lectures or courses.

News & Blog

The new version of openTA also offers interested readers blog articles and exciting news from the field of Technology Assessment. The openTA news service provides daily updates from relevant institutions. These include, for example, ITA Vienna, Fraunhofer ISI, Difu and the Wuppertal Institute.

The section is intended for anyone who wants to stay up to date or would like to publish and discuss their own (blog) posts.

Jobs

Here, interested users will find exciting and relevant job advertisements from the TA cosmos. This section is not only aimed at job seekers, but also at those looking to recruit new employeess. Would you like to publish an job offer? Then simply send it to us.

Calendar

As usual, the calendar provides an overview of events related to Technology Assessment. These range from conferences and workshops to courses. We also welcome event announcements.

The section is ideal for browsing or searching for specific conferences or calls.

Publications

Users can find information here about publications relating to Technology Assessment (TA) and new releases. An important source for this is the German National Library. A new feature is the ?More? section. Here you will find a selection of journals that are relevant to TA-work. The collection can serve as a starting point for literature review or as inspiration for where to place a new paper idea. We are happy to receive journal suggestions to expand the list.

Community

A network relies on the exchange of diverse perspectives. This section lists the various personal and institutional NTA-members and invites participation. It also includes ?Other Networks? that are closely related to Technology Assessment and illustrate its diversity. We welcome information about exciting activities and initiatives at any time.

Methods

This new section provides a selection of methods that can be used in Technology Assessment (TA). It also contains approaches that facilitate TA work in general. These range from participatory modelling, Delphi methods and sustainability assessment to AI tools. We welcome exciting suggestions for expanding the collection.

Data & Trends

Databases and repositories are becoming increasingly important for Technology Assessment. Against this backdrop, we have created a new section that brings together databases from various fields such as society, digitalisation, the environment and mobility. This collection is intended to encourage exploration and to support scientific work. It ranges from low-threshold offerings such as Our World in Data to specialist databases from international organisations and AI applications.

In Focus

One of the attractions of of Technology Assessment (TA) lies in the diversity of topics covered. In this new section we present selected highlights from TA institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The formats are aimed in particular at politicians and the interested public. However, TA researchers can also use this section as an easy introduction to new topics.

Education

Finally, with newly developed study programmes and the possibility of doing a PhD, Technology Assessment is also part of education. Various offerings are presented here. We welcome exciting suggestions for educational formats and programmes to expand the collection.