When the going gets tough, the tough get going: towards a new–more critical–engagement with responsible research and innovation in an age of Trump, Brexit, and wider populism

Thomas B. Long*, Vincent Blok

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this article, we explore how responsible research and innovation (RRI) interacts with the current political context. We examine the (1) possible consequences for RRI and related agendas if values associated withpopulist movements become more pervasive, (2) the role that a lack of RRI has potentially played in the development of this political context, and (3) how RRI as a concept, practice, and research agenda should respond. We argue that whilst RRI is threatened, it is now more important than ever. We propose that RRI needs to go beyond being a method for facilitating societal input into research and innovation and for highlighting desired impacts. RRI needs to evolve to provide an effective conduit for criticisms and the input of critical thinking and reflexivity into science and innovation, including in terms of economic policy and politics.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)64-70
JournalJournal of Responsible Innovation
Volume4
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Populism
  • responsible research and innovation

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