Organising stakeholder workshops in research and innovation – between theory and practice

This article addresses the theory and practice of creating responsiveness among actors through deliberative dialogue processes with stakeholders from diverse institutional settings. The EU’s decision to mainstream stakeholder deliberation in research and innovation, as part of its focus on responsible research and innovation (RRI), creates a new potential for experimentation and integration of deliberative processes. The article presents a list of essential considerations for three steps in the workshop process: planning and design, workshop interaction and the gathering of conclusions. Finally, the article illustrates the challenges of applying theory to five European stakeholder workshops co-organised by the authors. The illustration highlights the difficult interaction between theory and practice. The article concludes that while theoretical perspectives can provide general guidance, practical experience is essential when dealing with the trade-offs that are an intrinsic part of organising stakeholder workshops

Demokraattiset innovaatiot ylikansallisessa ja globaalissa hallinnassa

Peer reviewe

Sustainable innovation policy advice using a citizen-expert-citizen approach to ‘aspirations’ mapping

Building upon a general conceptual debate about the nature and production of knowledge, this chapter traces the manner in which different norms, visions and experiences are mobilised when framing future sustainability outcomes, with a view to promoting the effective design of strategic public engagement mechanisms. As demonstrated, whereas citizens tend to emphasise the importance of multi-dimensional and holistic development, in which ecological, social and economic components interact in a complex manner, experts focus on the elaboration of narrower and more specific questions and challenges. The normative tension between perspectives is illustrative of the broader need for more inclusive, sustained and continuous cooperation between science and society at different stages of the policy-making and innovation processes. At the same time, it calls for the careful and proactive forging of public engagement methodologies that allow complementary (or indeed diverging) values, norms, and propositions to be acknowledged and put into context, so as to ensure greater accountability among a larger group of participants and societal stakeholders.Non peer reviewe

Policy priorities for climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials

This chapter takes into consideration two distinct processes utilised in CASI to develop new sets of sustainable research and innovation (R&I) agendas. The first process is based on European sustainable innovators’ objectives, as gathered and analysed from more than 500 SI initiatives mapped in CASIPEDIA and led by the quadruple helix of SI stakeholders. The second draws on citizens’ preferences, as identified in two rounds (citizens-experts-citizens) of participatory workshops carried out in 12 European countries. Some mismatches are identified and the chapter reveals that gaps exist between what is currently taking place in research and innovation, and what citizens wish for. Furthermore, the analysis demonstrates the potential of cross-disciplinary approaches to make cross-comparisons of data from multiple and diverse sources.Non peer reviewe

Organising stakeholder workshops in research and innovation – between theory and practice

This article addresses the theory and practice of creating responsiveness among actors through deliberative dialogue processes with stakeholders from diverse institutional settings. The EU’s decision to mainstream stakeholder deliberation in research and innovation, as part of its focus on responsible research and innovation (RRI), creates a new potential for experimentation and integration of deliberative processes. The article presents a list of essential considerations for three steps in the workshop process: planning and design, workshop interaction and the gathering of conclusions. Finally, the article illustrates the challenges of applying theory to five European stakeholder workshops co-organised by the authors. The illustration highlights the difficult interaction between theory and practice. The article concludes that while theoretical perspectives can provide general guidance, practical experience is essential when dealing with the trade-offs that are an intrinsic part of organising stakeholder workshops

eDemocracy and eParticipation: The Precious First Steps and the Way Forward

The amazing increase in the quantity and speed of information, provided by digital means that were unthinkable just 10 years ago, brings us ever-closer to a digital world. This makes the world perceivably smaller, yet more complex at the same time. Goods and services are delivered in shorter periods, while citizens' expectations towards public services and information, as well as political participation, changes. Whilst traditionally, the interactions of governing bodies with citizens were usually limited to the general acquisition of services, petitions, or referenda, citizens now question top down approaches of governance and demand more inclusion in the processes of modern democracies. New tools open the door for unprecedented interaction with and unprecedented scrutiny of institutions and governments. Citizens can make their voices heard and offer their expertise. They can bridge the often-perceived gap between administration and citizens. Therefore, eDemocracy and eParticipation are not isolated phenomena, but evolutionary steps in, and for, open societies. However, one should be cautious about the risks involved with every new technology and not dismiss those over the potential gains. Cyberattacks like WannaCry in May 2017 show justhow vulnerable software systems can be. Therefore, digital institutions need to be prepared against global cyberattacks. Influxes of false or biased information, both for and by domestic and foreign actors, are shaping opinions and polarising societies. This publication on the digitalisation of politics is intended to provide an overview of how the countries and citizens of the European Union try to reinvent their democracy, and how far along they are in adjusting their institutions and organisations to the needs of the digital era. It compares the realities in countries of Northern, Central and Southeastern Europe, analysed to provide the reader with information about their ICT potential and challenges. We are convinced that the European network of citizens through common learnings and exchange, will connect the best of both the EU and the digital realms. For a more democratic, free, and prosperous Europe

Navigating towards shared responsibility in research and innovation. Approach, process and eesults of the Res-AGorA Project

The Res-AGorA projectRes-AGorA was a three-year, EU FP7 project (2013–2016) which has co-constructed a good-practice framework, the “Responsibility Navigator”, with practitioners and strategic decision makers. This framework facilitates reflective processes involving multiple stakeholders and policy-makers with the generic aim of making European research and innovation more responsible, responsive, and sustainable.This framework was developed based on three years of intensive empirical research comprising an extensive programme of in-depth case-studies, systematic “scientometric” literature analysis, country-level monitoring (RRI-Trends) and five broadbased co-construction stakeholder workshops.The resulting Res-AGorA Responsibility Navigator was conceived as a means to provide orientation without normatively steering research and innovation in a specific direction. Furthermore, Res-AGorA’s “Co-construction Method” is a collaborative methodology designed to systematically support and facilitate the practical use ofthe Responsibility Navigator with stakeholders. The Responsibility Navigator, the Co-construction Method and accompanying materials areready to use by actors who wish to navigate Research and Innovation towards Responsible Research and Innovation.This book provides an overview of the project’s journey, its conceptual underpinnings and main results