A Methodological Framework for Examining Sociotechnical Imaginaries during the implementation of emerging technologies

Abstract

[EN] In the social sciences, there is a growing interest in how people imagine and interpret the impact of technology, captured by the term "Sociotechnical Imaginaries." This concept highlight society's collective tech expectations can influence policies, investments, and mobilizing resources. The study proposes a methodological approach to analyse these imaginaries based on a digital, mixed and sequential design with different phases: it starts by reviewing European documents on new technologies to identify regulatory models among countries. Then, it involves discussions with experts across sectors to understand their views on technology and its societal implications. The final goal is to create an Opinion Dictionary via hybrid Opinion Mining, providing a tool for innovation researchers to map out narratives central to technological futures. This methodology aims to uncover the narratives driving society's technological expectations and their transformation processes, offering valuable insights for policymakers and analysts.