Translating “Responsible Innovation” in Australia

• In Event: Global Perspectives on Responsible Innovation: Widening the Gaze II

Abstract

Unlike European countries “Responsible Innovation (RI)” is very much a nascent concept in Australia. Therefore, examining RI in the Australian context creates both expectations and scepticism about the value it might bring to Australia’s innovation agenda. Such a mixed response is not surprising as many Australian science and research institutions are under increasing pressure from government and other stakeholders to improve their performance and overall effectiveness.
This paper explores the concept of RI emerging from 35 interviews conducted with a range of actors across Australia’s research and innovation landscape. As part of an EU Horizon 2020 project, the research focused on the term “Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)”. While exploring the meaning and interpretation of RRI, different notions of ‘responsibility’ emerged. Such differences appear to be predominantly influenced by the organisation type – whether they are a research funder or research deliverer and whether part of the private sector or public good research. Across the interviews there was agreement about the need to establish an accepted definition of the term “responsible” and the context it is used. The discussion touched on questions such as: To whom are we responsible? How are we responsible? Who is responsible? And what is the role of science within this context? No single answer to these questions was arrived at. It was agreed, however, that how we choose to answer these questions will largely influence the likely response to RI in Australia. The implications for local innovation policy and global RI will be discussed.

Authors

• Peta Ashworth, The University Of Queensland

• Semso Sehic, University of Queensland