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• Date of publication Nov 06, 2018 Category: Book Review

  Ethics and practice in science communication

  by Clare Wilkinson

  It can be argued that ethical considerations in science communication are a significantly overlooked area although these considerations are implicit in many ongoing academic debates within the field, and within the practical implications of work which is being both constructed and shared within the discipline. Priest, Goodwin and Dahlstrom's [2018] edited collection, ‘Ethics and Practice in Science Communication’, is therefore a significant step forwards in allowing for contemporary reflection on the ethical considerations currently influencing the field. In shining a light on some of the ethical questions currently concerning the field of science communication, this enjoyable and detailed selection of chapters draws together a number of key examples and authors, to begin to consider such ethical quandaries, as well as identifying spaces, which are primed for further ethical exploration in the future.

  Volume 17 • Issue 04 • 2018

• Date of publication Oct 03, 2018 Category: Practice Insight

  Engaging with policy practitioners to promote institutionalisation of public participation in science, technology and innovation policy

  by Mitsuru Kudo , Go Yoshizawa , Kei Kano

  This paper is a reflective account of a public participation project the authors conducted in Japan in 2012–2015, as part of the central government's initiative for evidence-based policy-making. The reflection focusses on three key aspects of the project: setting a precedent of involving public participation in policy-making; embedding an official mechanism for public participation in policy-making process; and raising policy practitioners' awareness of public participation. We also discuss why we think engaging with policy practitioners, while problematic in various ways, is and will continue to be important in promoting institutionalised practice of public participation.

  Volume 17 • Issue 04 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  Towards an inclusive European innovation policy

  by Bjørn Bedsted , Lise Bitsch , Lars Klüver , Rasmus Øjvind Nielsen , Marie Louise Margrethe Jørgensen

  With “Horizon Europe”, the European Commission sets out the framework for research and innovation in Europe over the next seven years. The proposal outlines the contours of an innovative science policy that is open and responsive to societal needs, and where societal actors jointly undertake missions to discover sustainable solutions to present-day and future challenges. In our commentary we point to a number of modifications needed to strengthen the cross-cutting implementation of activities for societal engagement and responsible research and innovation.

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  RRI: How to ‘mainstream’ the ‘upstream’ engagement

  by Alexander Gerber

  There are strong arguments for and against having either a dedicated funding scheme for science communication in the next European Framework Programme, or mainstreaming upstream engagement across all disciplines. How could both approaches be combined? The success of either will depend on its operationalisation.

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  More democratic research and innovation

  by Robert Braun , Erich Griessler

  For decades the idea that scientists, policy makers and industry know best in research and innovation has been convincingly challenged. The concept of Responsible Research and Innovation [RRI] combines various strands of critique and takes up the idea that research and innovation need to be democratized and must engage with the public in order to serve the public. The proposed future EU research funding framework programme, Horizon Europe, excludes a specific program line on research in RRI. We propose a number of steps the European Parliament should take to institutionalize RRI in Horizon Europe and beyond.

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  A key moment for European science policy

  by Niels Mejlgaard , Richard Woolley , Carter Bloch , Susanne Buehrer , Erich Griessler , Angela Jaeger , Ralf Lindner , Emil Bargmann Madsen , Frédéric Maier , Ingeborg Meijer , Viola Peter , Jack Stilgoe , Milena Wuketich

  We argue that the commitment to science-society integration and Responsible Research and Innovation in past European framework programmes has already made considerable progress in better aligning research and innovation with European societies. The framework programmes have important socialisation effects and recent research point to positive trends across key areas of Responsible Research and Innovation within academic organisations. What appears to be a step away from the concerted efforts to facilitate European citizens' meaningful contribution to research and innovation in the upcoming Horizon Europe framework programme seems counter-productive and poorly timed.

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  Steering research and innovation through RRI. What horizon for Europe?

  by Angela Simone

  Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is gaining momentum worldwide and is envisaged as a needed tool to properly govern controversial innovative technology (i.e. genome editing, AI). Europe is considered a leader in fostering such approach, notably through its institutionalization. Even so, the future of European Research and Innovation (R&I) seems to be designed without a central role for RRI. After long effort and so much public EU money to support projects to ground RRI principles and practices in key contexts for the flourishing of science and technology in Europe, such as the industrial realm and regional settings, this counter-intuitive decision could undermine the leadership of Europe in prioritizing civil and human rights and needs, values and expectations of its citizens when steering science and technology, that European R&I strongly need to go further.

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Sep 03, 2018 Category: Commentary

  Introduction to “Science, society and citizens: suggestions (and hopes) on how to foster RRI in Horizon Europe”

  by Marzia Mazzonetto , Angela Simone

  At the beginning of May, 2018, the European Commission has presented its proposal for Horizon Europe, the framework programme which defines priorities and budget distribution for the future of European Research and Innovation (2021–2027). The announcement has raised concerns within the community of stakeholders engaged in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI), a democratization process leading to connecting science to the values and interests of European citizens by mean of participatory processes. Through this flash commentary we aim at providing a wide range of arguments, as well as strong examples and concrete suggestions, to the importance of maintaining and strengthening RRI within Horizon Europe, with the hope to inspire amendments to the current proposal.

  Steering research and innovation through RRI. What horizon for Europe?

  by Angela Simone

  Towards an inclusive European innovation policy

  by Bjørn Bedsted, Lise Bitsch, Lars Klüver, Rasmus Øjvind Nielsen and Marie Louise Margrethe Jørgensen

  More democratic research and innovation

  by Robert Braun and Erich Griessler

  A key moment for European science policy

  by Niels Mejlgaard, Richard Woolley, Carter Bloch, Susanne Buehrer, Erich Griessler, Angela Jaeger, Ralf Lindner, Emil Bargmann Madsen, Frédéric Maier, Ingeborg Meijer, Viola Peter, Jack Stilgoe and Milena Wuketich

  RRI: How to ‘mainstream’ the ‘upstream’ engagement

  by Alexander Gerber

  Volume 17 • Issue 03 • 2018

• Date of publication Jun 25, 2018 Category: Article

  Public engagement in science via Web 2.0 technologies. Evaluation criteria validated using the Delphi Method

  by Lourdes López-Pérez , María Dolores Olvera-Lobo

  The characteristics of interaction and dialogue implicit in the Web 2.0 have given rise to a new scenario in the relationship between science and society. The aim of this paper is the development of an evaluation tool scientifically validated by the Delphi method that permits the study of Internet usage and its effectiveness for encouraging public engagement in the scientific process. Thirty four indicators have been identified, structured into 6 interrelated criteria conceived for compiling data that help to explain the role of the Internet in favouring public engagement in science.

  Volume 17 • Issue 02 • 2018

• Date of publication Dec 13, 2017 Category: Commentary

  Supporting excellence in engaged research

  by Richard Holliman

  This paper reviews the purposes, definitions and criteria designed to embed ‘engaged research’ as a strategic priority with universities, and explores some of the challenges of implementation. Surveys of academics have shown various understandings of, and attitudes to, the practices of engaged research, but also impediments to realising the aspirations it expresses. Drawing on the experience as the academic lead for engaged research at the Open University, the author explores questions of professionalisation, for example, through training, support mechanisms and measures of recognition for engaged research. He concludes by arguing that, if done well, engaged research can promote epistemic justice.

  Volume 16 • Issue 05 • 2017