ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on what can make science the matter of scandal, including the role of media, and examines the way two technologies—fracking and nuclear power—are matters of controversy or scandal. It deals with the social implications of these problems while pointing to areas of research that could provide further insight into scandals and science. The chapter discusses how several specific issues—nuclear power and fracking—have been scandalous and why this is the case. One of the factors that has made nuclear energy as an industry susceptible to scandal or crisis is the fact that incidents have always included some element of human error—or some action, if taken that could have prevented the incidents or disasters. In particular, those interested in scientific controversies and political scandals could mutually benefit from each other’s scholarship, though they have often been seen as independent.
