Tracing Technology Assessment Internationally—TA Activities in 12 Countries Across the Globe

AbstractThis chapter aims to describe and highlight current and relevant developments of technology assessment (TA) across several countries and attempts to cluster these according to main areas of activity or modes of institutionalization. By tracing current TA or “TA-like” activities in selected countries across the globe, it highlights several developments, initiatives, or methods, which are interesting and relevant for a global perspective on TA. The focus of this chapter is mainly on non-European countries, which are part of the globalTA network. This provides a unique impression of TA-like activities in Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Czechia, India, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Slovakia, Russia, and the USA. This provides an overview of the heterogeneity of socio-political systems, modes of institutionalization of TA, and TA practices in the different countries observed. Yet at the same time, a TA core is visible, addressing potentials and risks of emerging technologies, ways of doing responsible research and innovation, issues of trust and acceptance by the public and different stakeholders, science and technology governance, and the like.