230015 FPR FPR Research Practice 1: Responsible Research and Innovation (2015S)

Past and present conflicts around research and technology have been increasing in the last decades, which resulted in deliberations in regard to bio- information-, nuclear-, and reproductive-technologies. These conflicts also lead to a call for a new approach towards research and innovation. Research and innovation should be conducted responsibly; they should not only tackle major societal challenges, such as climate change, demographic change, and global food shortage, but also comply with ethical principles.
The policy concept of "Responsible Research and Innovation" (RRI), is of increased importance on the EU level as well as within Austria. Definitions and possible ways of implementation are however still unclear. First comparative studies show differences in the interpretation of RRI among EU-Member Sates in regard to its dimensions and instruments.
The research seminar is one of a series of resent research projects to clarify the meaning and operationalization of RRI and is also aiming at the reflection of one’s own responsibility in research and innovation. Students are invited to work out respective research projects in the framework of RRI. These could relate to the following questions: What is the role of RRI in Austria? What is the perception of Responsible Research of different stakeholders, such as researchers, politicians, interest groups, civil society, and university administrations? Who holds and accepts responsibility for what? How does this responsibility manifest itself in practice? What is the role of RRI in different fields of technology? What implications does RRI have on one’s own selection of research topics and one’s own research? Can the concept of RRI be implemented in today’s research context? Which given institutional and cultural framework has to be respected in the possible implementation of RRI in different Austrian institutions (funding organisations, research institutions, administration and politics)? Which instruments exist or could be elaborated for the promotion of RRI in Austria? Which practices and experiences can be observed?
The following is foreseen for the spring term:
-Introduction into the topic of RRI in different fields of technology.
-Selection of research topic.
-Elaboration of research plans / designs. Practical support in the respective conceptual work: Literature research, selection of the research question, theories, research design, project management.
-Peer evaluation of the project proposal.
First steps of project implementation.