Stakeholder Roleplay

Features:

Duration: Days

Difficulty: Advanced

People: 6-25 people

Intro:

The stakeholder roleplay is based on the concept of Theatrical Technology Assessment (TTA) and is a designed roleplay in which participants slip into the role of one stakeholder by means of instruction and improvisation. This enables participants to explore complex dynamics around emerging technologies from different stakeholder perspectives and to translate these experiences into strategies how to anticipate and steer innovation. The TTA cases are designed for education, but can also be played with professionals.

Steps:

Preparation:
- Select one of the cases and designate roles to the participants (minimum of 5 players and 1 person as moderator). Ideally, more people are present who can serve as an audience to interact with during the warming up and reflection moments. Introductory material and print outs for the participants are available below.
- The moderator is responsible for the introduction of the roleplay, the warming up exercise, leading the stakeholder discussion in the roleplay, and guiding the reflection. The moderator should be familiar with the material provided with the case. It is also possible to share the moderator tasks among two people, one focusing on the organizational tasks (introducing roleplay, guiding reflection) and another person on the theatrical part (warming up, leading the roleplay discussion).
- The players receive a technology and role description at the beginning of the TTA session to become familiar with their role and the setting of the play. If possible, the material can be handed out prior to the session to allow more time for preparation. Players should hand back the descriptions to the moderator before the actual playing begins.
Roleplay:
- The roleplay is designed for a lecture unit of 105 minutes. If more time is available, the preparation, warming up and discussion time can be extended.

3. Reflection:

In the last reflection round it is important to articulate what you learned from the roleplay, in terms of relevant theories, models, and goals of the context in which the TTA is embedded.

Tip! If you want to learn more about the concept of Theatrical Technology Assessment you can have a look here: Visscher, 2023, Experiencing complex stakeholder dynamics around emerging technologies: a role-play simulation, European Journal of Engineering Education, DOI: 10.1080/03043797.2023.2196940.

Example – Screening Society:

Technology in the roleplay: A lab-on-a-chip device is developed which enables highly sensitive and selective detection of cancer biomarkers. The hand-held device promises the early detection of prostate cancer at home.
Context of the stakeholder meeting: The ministry wants to initiate a public prostate cancer screening program based on self-tests which people can take at home. The stakeholders need to decide on the desirability and conditions of such a screening program, taking into account the practical implementation, shifting roles and responsibilities and financial issues.
Stakeholders: (1) CEO technology company, (2) ministry of health, (3) general practitioner, (4) Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), (5) patient organization.
Stakeholder perspectives:

Main questions and tensions:
- Implementation: how can we implement such a home screening test? Which role do doctors play in this program?
- Reliability and safety: How can we ensure that the tests are reliable and safe, especially if they are taken by lay-persons?
- Wellbeing: how do patients respond to the results of the test? Can you leave them alone with the result?
- Finances: who bears the costs of the screening program?
- Accessibility: will the test be accessible to everyone? What about people who can’t / won’t take the test by themselves?

Example – Quantum revolution

Technology in the roleplay: Advances in the field of quantum technology have led to first demonstrations of quantum computers. Although their actual implementation is expected only years ahead, the threats are already present: the decryption of currently stored data by a quantum computer can be an issue in the future.
Context of the stakeholder meeting: Based on recent developments in the field of quantum technology, the government is under pressure to push the development of quantum computers and/or focus on the quantum-safe encryption of communication. Money is made available to invest in this research field, and decisions must be taken on the goal and prerequisites of this investment.
Stakeholders: (1) professor quantum optics, (2) head of the national program Quantum Delta NL (QDNL), (3) an NGO for privacy and internet freedom, (4) Dutch secret service, (5) global technology company.
Stakeholder perspectives:

Main questions and tensions:
Research approach: going for open source developments involving non-professionals and international partners vs. a confidential national approach to limit compromises on national safety. Which groups have access and partake in quantum research?
Research focus: rather focus on encryption vs. invest in fundamental research to develop a quantum computer (time-pressure)?
Paradox of security: steal now, decrypt later leads to a high pressure to invest in safe encryption.
Technological optimism: is it likely for quantum technologies to deliver on its promise? What are the desired applications?

Example – Internet of plans

Technology in the roleplay: In a large research project, nanosensors are developed which can be attached to plants to monitor temperature, plant vitality, water and nutrition levels to help farmers optimize the use of fertilizers and water.
Context of the stakeholder meeting: The researchers plan their first field trial with the sensors in an fruit orchard. Because the sensors will be attached to the stem of the fruit trees, the ecological safety of the device is important, and the system needs to comply to food safety standards and local regulations. Additionally, feasibility of the implementation must be considered.
Stakeholders: (1) Leader research project, (2) representative of municipality, (3) local farmer, (4) Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), (5) director of a research institute focusing on Global Sustainability.
Stakeholder perspectives:

Main questions and tensions:
Scope of the issue: mismatch between the technical focus of researcher and the implementational requirements & importance of safety raised by others.
Question of responsibility: who takes the responsibility for possible consequences?
Equity discussion: who has access to this technology, who can afford it?
Unknown unknowns: how should we deal with uncertainties regarding the technology and its implementation?
Regulatory issues: current regulations do not apply to the intended use of this technology, is there a way that regulatory bodies and innovators work together (pacing problem, regulatory preparedness)? What if the technology is applied in countries with a different regulatory framework?
Global perspective: what is the impact if this technology is used on a large scale?

Downloads:

The following documents are included in the case materials: zip file with (1) full document including moderator material, technology and role description, (2) separate word documents of technology description, role descriptions, observer role and cheat sheet.