R&D should not only be ethically acceptable, but also socially desirable.

The role of universities, as part of the research system, cannot be limited to generating knowledge. They must also accommodate society's needs, based on the participation of all societal actors.

Participation is an opportunity for dialogue and exchanges of opinions regarding decisions on what sort of world we want to live in and leave to future generations.

The idea is to jointly forge a shared, responsible future, one in which the results of research and innovation are socially relevant and desirable, and citizens feel involved in decisions on research, as well as in its objectives, direction, forms and outcomes.

 

Examples of projects

  • NERRI, a citizen participation project involving mutual learning instruments related to neuroenhancement 
  • PACITA. Parliaments and Civil Society in Technology Assessment. The PACITA Mobilisation and Mutual Learning Action Plan will distribute capacity and enhance the institutional foundation for knowledge-based policy-making on issues involving science, technology and innovation, mainly based upon the practices in Parliamentary Technology Assessment (PTA). PTA supports the processes of democratic policy-making on issues involving science, technology and innovation, by providing comprehensive insight into knowledge on opportunities and consequences, by facilitating democratic processes of debate and clarification, and by formulating policy options. From 2011-04-01 to 2015-03-31, closed project.
  • SYNENERGENE, a project revolving around open dialogue on R&D in synthetic biology 
  • VOICES: Views, Opinions and Ideas of Citizens in Europe on Science, specifically the problem of waste

 

Further information