2013 | Jack Stilgoe, Richard Owen, Phil Macnaghten
The paper presents a framework for responsible innovation, developed through work with a geoengineering research project funded by UK Research Councils. The framework integrates four dimensions: anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, and responsiveness. These dimensions address the need for proactive, reflective, inclusive, and responsive approaches to science and innovation. Anticipation involves foreseeing potential impacts and uncertainties, reflexivity involves self-critique and reflection on values and assumptions, inclusion involves engaging diverse stakeholders, and responsiveness involves adapting to changing circumstances and values. The framework is not limited to the UK context but has broader relevance for governance of emerging technologies. The paper argues that responsible innovation requires a shift from risk-based governance to a more holistic approach that considers the social, ethical, and political dimensions of innovation. The framework is applied to the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) project, which aimed to investigate the feasibility of climate engineering through stratospheric particle injection. The case study highlights the challenges of integrating the four dimensions in practice, including tensions between different aspects of responsible innovation. The paper concludes that responsible innovation requires institutional commitment to an integrated framework that considers the complex interplay between science, technology, and society.The paper presents a framework for responsible innovation, developed through work with a geoengineering research project funded by UK Research Councils. The framework integrates four dimensions: anticipation, reflexivity, inclusion, and responsiveness. These dimensions address the need for proactive, reflective, inclusive, and responsive approaches to science and innovation. Anticipation involves foreseeing potential impacts and uncertainties, reflexivity involves self-critique and reflection on values and assumptions, inclusion involves engaging diverse stakeholders, and responsiveness involves adapting to changing circumstances and values. The framework is not limited to the UK context but has broader relevance for governance of emerging technologies. The paper argues that responsible innovation requires a shift from risk-based governance to a more holistic approach that considers the social, ethical, and political dimensions of innovation. The framework is applied to the Stratospheric Particle Injection for Climate Engineering (SPICE) project, which aimed to investigate the feasibility of climate engineering through stratospheric particle injection. The case study highlights the challenges of integrating the four dimensions in practice, including tensions between different aspects of responsible innovation. The paper concludes that responsible innovation requires institutional commitment to an integrated framework that considers the complex interplay between science, technology, and society.