Turning Straw to Gold: Mobilising Symmetry in Responsible Research and Innovation

This article aims to reflect on the role of Science, Technology and Society (STS) research(ers) in co-constructing Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the Global South. By reporting on RRI research in the Global South, here the Indo-Dutch NWO-MVI project on rice straw burning in Punjab, we make an argument for approaching RRI as a symmetric process of knowledge production mobilised by local actors and researchers alike. For STS researchers to responsibly engage with local innovation systems, their activities need to go beyond knowledge provision and towards facilitating the ownership and circulation of local meanings and means to responsibly innovate. Rather than understanding RRI as a fixed framework to govern innovation practices, this article reflects on RRI as an approach that combines research with intervention. We propose that following the principle of symmetry can turn RRI into a productive tool for the mobilisation of embedded local principles that can organise innovation systems in a responsible way. In particular, symmetry allows the re-location of meanings and practices of innovation as well as the re-negotiation of multiple notions of responsible governance.

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What’s in a name? Perceptions and promotion of responsible research and innovation practices across Europe

Science and Public Policy ◽

10.1093/scipol/scaa018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 360-370 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Malene Vinther Christensen ◽

Mika Nieminen ◽

Marlene Altenhofer ◽

Elise Tancoigne ◽

Niels Mejlgaard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Civil Society ◽

Innovation Systems ◽

Responsible Research And Innovation ◽

Private Companies ◽

Civil Society Organisations ◽

Research And Innovation ◽

Private And Public ◽

Future Policy ◽

Innovation Practices ◽

Responsible Research

Abstract After a decade of efforts to mainstream Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) across Europe, the policy momentum is now uncertain. We explore how 217 organisations perceive responsibility in relation to their work, what mechanisms they apply to promote responsible practices, and what hindrances to promoting RRI they observe. Most organisations are unfamiliar with RRI but employ diverse perceptions of responsibility and mechanisms to promote it nonetheless. Civil society organisations are primarily outward oriented; collaborating with others and hosting science events. Private companies are more internally focussed and more likely to formalise this effort in strategies and internal guidelines. Universities resemble private companies, while private and public funders use funding-specific tools to incentivise responsible practices. Our results suggest that RRI is still poorly institutionalised and that some areas lack attention among actors in the research and innovation systems. Future policy endeavours might benefit from addressing deficits and tapping into existing perceptions of responsibility.

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