The Role of Laypeople in the Governance of Science and Technology
Japhet Bakuwa

Abstract
This paper argues that laypeople or non-experts have a crucial role to play in the governance of science and technology. This counter argues a position that only experts are competent and qualified to govern science and technology. There are three models that are presented in this paper explaining the roles of non-experts in the governance of science and technology. Firstly, they have a role to play as stakeholders; secondly, they do possess some special kind of knowledge that the experts do not have and this could be helpful to the experts; and thirdly, as part of the democratisation of science and technology, there is need for public participation in issues that affect everyone in societies. Denying the involvement of non-experts in the governance of science and technology has adverse effects on the relationship between science and technology on one hand, and society (or public) on the other. After all, science and technology are just a means for the satisfaction of people’s needs and desires.

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