Developing a framework for responsible innovation*

Abstract

The governance of emerging science and innovation is a major challenge for contemporary democracies. In this paper we present a framework for understanding and supporting efforts aimed at 'responsible innovation'. The framework was developed in part through work with one of the first major research projects in the controversial area of geoengineering, funded by the UK Research Councils. We describe this case study, and how this became a location to articulate and explore four integrated dimensions of responsible innovation: anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion and responsiveness. Although the framework for responsible innovation was designed for use by the UK Research Councils and the scientific communities they support, we argue that it has more general application and relevance.

The politics of anticipation: the IPCC and the negative emissions technologies experience

“…Responsible research and innovation (RRI) has become a popular topic within and beyond STS of late, with scholars engaging in debates over new technologies, such as nanotechnology, emphasizing the need for modes of research and innovation that anticipate and take account, at an early stage, of social, ethical and political challenges and questions; which involve deliberation among and responsiveness to diverse experts and stakeholders; and which are accountable to concerned publics (e.g. [6,54]). We summarize which lessons can be learned from experiments in applying an RRI framework to climate engineering for the future work of the IPCC.…”

Need for a new workplace safety and health (WSH) strategy for the fourth Industrial Revolution

“…In regard to technological innovation, these values are reflected in the notion of “responsible innovation” which is a transparent and iterative process by which social actors and innovators become mutually responsible to each other, building upon common values to ensure ethical acceptability and societal desirability of the innovation process . An example is the creation of “T‐City Friedrichshafen” which was initiated as a public‐private‐partnership (PPP) between Deutsche Telekom AG and the city of Friedrichshafen to use modern technology to transform Friedrichshafen into a “smart city.”…”

Societal and Ethical Issues in Industrial Biotechnology

“…RRI has four dimensions, namely, anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion and responsiveness [42]. We will consider in turn how these might play out a role in industrial biotechnology.…”