Journals Information
Sociology and Anthropology Vol. 3(9), pp. 447 - 454
DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030904
Reprint (PDF) (241Kb)
The Grand Challenges: A Potential Boost for a Responsible Research and Innovation
Giovanni Colombo *
Research Center, Istituto Superiore Mario Boella (ISMB), Italy
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.
KEYWORDS
Responsible Research and Innovation, Innovation Policy, Anticipatory Approach, Grand Challenges, Interdisciplinary Approach, Education Models
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Giovanni Colombo , "The Grand Challenges: A Potential Boost for a Responsible Research and Innovation," Sociology and Anthropology, Vol. 3, No. 9, pp. 447 - 454, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030904.
(b). APA Format:
Giovanni Colombo (2015). The Grand Challenges: A Potential Boost for a Responsible Research and Innovation. Sociology and Anthropology, 3(9), 447 - 454. DOI: 10.13189/sa.2015.030904.