Showing papers by "Arie Rip published in 2013"

Responsible Innovation: Multi‐Level Dynamics and Soft Intervention Practices

Abstract: This chapter discusses initiatives in the field of “Responsible Innovation” (RI) at different levels and some of their dynamics. Then it focuses on two types of intervention-oriented activities that concretely support and stimulate aspirations for RI/Responsible Research and Innovation” (RRI): socio-technical integration research (STIR) and constructive technology assessment (CTA). Finally, it discusses tensions in the concept and practices of RI/RRI, particularly in the light of its prospects for effectiveness and institutionalization

Umbrella Terms as Mediators in the Governance of emerging Science and Technology

Abstract: Umbrella terms like ‘nanotechnology’ and ‘sustainability research’ have emerged as part of the new regime of Strategic Science. As mediators between science and society they have a dual role. Their overall promise allows resources to be mobilised for new fields which can then be productive in their own right. At the same time, however, they also put pressure on these fields to take relevance considerations into account. The process of emergence and stabilisation of umbrella terms is outlined and traced in detail in the cases of nanotechnology and sustainability research. What we see is interesting de facto governance of science, as well as new forms of involvement of STS scholars.

Constructive Technology Assessment and the Methodology of Insertion

Abstract: Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) started out (in the Netherlands in the late 1980s) as an attempt to broaden technology developments by including more aspects and more actors, and has been further positioned as a way to overcome the institutionalised division of labour between promotion and control of technology. For newly emerging technologies like nanotechnology, which live on promises, CTA has to address uncertain futures. It does so by analysing dynamics and emerging irreversibilities in a technology domain, identifying “endogenous futures” and creating socio-technical scenarios exploring what could happen. Such scenarios are a platform for interaction between stakeholders in strategy-articulation workshops. Organizing such workshops by CTA agents constitutes a soft intervention in ongoing developments, and contributes to make ongoing co-evolution of science, technology and society more reflexive. The CTA analyst inserts herself in ongoing developments in the domain that is being addressed, to identify what is at stake. This is not just data collection, but already interaction, as a knowledgeable visitor. Such a role has to be earned, for example by offering useful (but also critical) insights based on circulation in the domain and social-science analysis. This constitutes a methodology of inquiry-in-interaction, which increases reflexivity of the developments. It is an essential part of the CTA enterprise

Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and ELSA: The TA Program in the Dutch Nano-R&D Program NanoNed

Abstract: The Technology Assessment (TA) Program established in 2003 as part of the Dutch R&D consortium NanoNed is interesting for what it did, but also as an indication that there are changes in how new science and technology are pursued: the nanotechnologists felt it necessary to spend part of their funding on social aspects of nanotechnology. We retrace the history of the TA program, and present the innovative work that was done on Constructive TA of emerging nanotechnology developments and on aspects of embedding of nanotechnology in society. One achievement is the provision of tools and approaches to help make the co-evolution of technology and society more reflexive. We briefly look forward by outlining its successor program, TA NanoNextNL, in place since 2011

Neue Governance der Wissenschaft: Reorganisation - externe Anforderungen - Medialisierung

Abstract: Im Wissenschaftssystem finden tiefgreifende Umbruchprozesse statt, die insbesondere in einer weitreichenden Reorganisation der Hochschulen, wachsenden Erwartungen an Sichtbarkeit und Nutzlichkeit sowie einer intensivierten Medialisierung der Wissenschaft zum Ausdruck kommen. In 13 Beitragen, die auf umfangreichen empirischen Forschungen beruhen, behandelt das Buch Ursachen, Erscheinungsformen und Folgen dieses Transformationsprozesses. Es skizziert damit die Konturen einer neuen »Governance of Science« und liefert zugleich anschauliche Erklarungsmuster und griffige Handlungsansatze fur Wissenschaftsmanagement und -politik.

Umbrella terms as a conduit in the governance of emerging science and technology

Abstract: Umbrella terms like ‘nanotechnology’ and ‘sustainability research’ have emerged as part of the new regime of Strategic Science. As mediators between science and society they have a dual role. Their overall promise allows resources to be mobilised for new fields which can then be productive in their own right. At the same time, however, they also put pressure on these fields to take relevance considerations into account. The process of emergence and stabilisation of umbrella terms is outlined and traced in detail in the cases of nanotechnology and sustainability research. What we see is interesting de facto governance of science, as well as new forms of involvement of STS scholars.

Scenarios to explore the futures of the emerging technology of organic and large area electronics

Abstract: Emerging technologies pose challenges for futures research because of their uncertainties combined with promises Actors are anticipating and acting strategically Sociotechnical scenarios building on endogenous futures support and enlighten actors Such scenarios contribute to “strategic intelligence” about the technologies and their embedding in society Organic and large area electronics promise to substitute silicon-based technologies, but firms and potential users are reluctant to invest Ways to break through this “waiting game” are the starting point for scenarios that were developed as in an input in strategy articulation workshops with different stakeholders and third parties The scenarios are offered as they were an input in the workshops and are annotated to show the robustness of their construction Recent developments confirm the diagnosis of the dynamics of the domain

Economic and societal dimensions of nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery.

Abstract: Introduction: There is an increasing interest in nanotechnology-enabled drug delivery systems which are expected to have significant impacts for health care. The economic and societal aspects are uncertain, even ambiguous, at this stage of development, and often not addressed, or only as part of the promises about present options. Areas covered: In our review we will report on assessments of actors regarding economic and societal aspects and, occasionally, of expected impacts. Topics discussed include: present and future markets of nano-enabled drug delivery, industry dynamics, regulation, cost-effectiveness, and broader ethical issues. We also include a brief discussion of anticipatory activities of actors who are concerned about these aspects. Expert opinion: Performance of nano-enabled drug delivery, a necessary step to have future impacts at all, needs to be improved further, and in interaction with demands of users along the product value chain and with further stakeholder such as regulatory agencies and health insurers. When supported by analysis of societal embedding of new products and scenarios, this allows relevant societal and economic aspects to be taken into account at an early stage. A key issue in realizing impacts will be liability, and roles and responsibilities of technology developers and stakeholders more generally.

Pervasive Normativity and Emerging Technologies

Abstract: Normativity is everywhere. It is taken up in ethics, but also in law and political theory, and more implicitly in economics and sociology. And there is the de facto normativity of master narratives and imaginaries, like the modernist narrative of progress—in particular progress through science. There is also, underlying many normative issues, the fundamental challenge (die argerliche Tatsache) of social order, as a value in its own right, and thus to be conserved, and/or as a constraint that needs to be opened up. This essential ambivalence of social order feeds into the discourse about innovation, which can be embraced as wonderful, or criticised as deviant and possibly dangerous (cf. Godin 2010). Issues thrown up by emerging technologies partake in this fundamental challenge, and are thus broader (and deeper) than questions of risk and other immediate effects on society. This is the first level of pervasiveness of normativity. One implication is that the achievements of ethics, ‘the rich and diverse work of the past 2,500 years of moral philosophy’ (Baggini and Fosl 2007: p. xvi), while considerable and to be built upon, cover only part of the articulations of normativity, in spite of the claim of ethicists that normativity is their special domain. I will discuss other articulations of normativity as in law, governance and sociology, and also consider ‘sites’ where pervasive normativity is visible. My own experience with constructive technology assessment (CTA) will be one such ‘site’