Responsible, Inclusive Innovation and the Nano-Divide

Area of Science:

• Science and Technology Policy
• Ethics in Research
• Innovation Governance

Background:

• Global policymakers aim to replicate successful innovation systems for economic growth.
• Innovation governance frameworks are emerging to integrate stakeholder input into research and development (R&D).
• Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a prominent emerging governance framework in Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate how Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and justice concepts yield similar ethical stances on the 'nano-divide'.
• To explore RRI's potential to drive ethical outcomes in nanotechnology access, surpassing justice-based arguments alone.
• To advocate for integrating Systems of Innovation (SoI) approaches into RRI discussions for evidence-based governance.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis linking RRI and justice theories.
• Examination of RRI's policy objectives, particularly economic competitiveness.
• Proposal for integrating descriptive Systems of Innovation (SoI) approaches with RRI.

Main Results:

• RRI and justice concepts can inform comparable ethical positions regarding the nano-divide.
• RRI's focus on competitiveness may offer a more effective pathway for addressing ethical access to nanotechnology.
• RRI can act as a mediating concept between competitiveness and justice advocates in nanotechnology debates.

Conclusions:

• Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) provides a valuable framework for navigating ethical considerations in nanotechnology.
• Integrating RRI with Systems of Innovation (SoI) approaches can strengthen evidence for achieving responsible and competitive R&I governance.
• RRI has the potential to bridge the gap between economic goals and ethical imperatives in technological development.