The Grand Challenges: A Potential Boost for a Responsible Research and Innovation

Giovanni Colombo

doi:10.13189/sa.2015.030904

Abstract

The need to adopt an ethical attitude in Research and Innovation (R&I) is growing with the increasing power of scientific and technological developments and the huge impact they can create on society and environment. However, the effects of research and innovation are difficult to predict and this makes quite hard to inspire a priori the action of researchers and innovators towards credible objectives of social benefit. The paper puts forward some new arguments about the feasibility of a responsible research and innovation approach applied to the grand challenges, namely the strategic issues of universal relevance like food and water safety, sustainable mobility, global warming. It is shown how grand challenges can foster a responsible attitude in R&I due to their specific nature and the level of social involvement they demand. Key enablers of the responsible approach are the integration of social disciplines since the design of the R&I Projects and the association of renewed education models to the R&I initiatives conceived according to responsibility criteria. Two examples, taken from the innovation topics arising respectively in sustainable energy and heating sectors support the abstract considerations.

Highlights

According to common sense, responsibility is the spirit that should inform the action of any rational person towards his neighbour
A profound dilemma is emerging about Research and Innovation (R&I) initiatives: they may at the same time guarantee the wellbeing of our society and threaten the sustainability of the planet, the life conditions on earth
In the last decade the Union is devoting a considerable attention to the issue of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) [2] and the responsibility criterion is deeply embedded in the Horizon 2020 Programme, where smartness, cohesion and sustainability values are viewed as essential components of the economic and social development

Summary

Introduction

Responsibility is the spirit that should inform the action of any rational person towards his neighbour. In the last decade the Union is devoting a considerable attention to the issue of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) [2] and the responsibility criterion is deeply embedded in the Horizon 2020 Programme, where smartness, cohesion and sustainability values are viewed as essential components of the economic and social development. Along this line, responsibility in R&I should adopt and pursue values like: social engagement, creative learning, accountability in the choices.

Methodological Aspects

Responsible Research and Innovation in Grand Challenges

Applications and Examples

Findings

Discussion and Concluding