Refracting Logics of STS Interventions

• In Event: Reflecting on Reflexivity in Practice: Responsible Innovation, Engagement, and Governance - I

Abstract

In this reflexive paper we draw on our experiences intervening in a funding programme to reflect on the tension between the ideals of democratization and democratization in practice. Whether it is implicit or explicit, much STS stakeholder and public engagement work operates with an ideal of democratization; work under the banner of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) certainly does so.

For the past 18 months, we have been working in collaboration with a consortium of 21 European biotechnology funding organisations to develop and operationalise a 'Framework for Responsible Research and Innovation'. In this work we aimed to use the concept of RRI as a ‘wedge’ to embed reflexive practices across the breadth of the programme, to open-up research agendas to diverse voices and values, and to broaden the distribution of responsibility for RRI.

Reflecting on the challenges of democratisation in practice, we ask how accurately the democratic imperative reflects our motivations for doing the work in the first place. Are there other “logics of intervention” at play in our decisions to engage with public(s) and stakeholders? What are they, how do they structure the work that we do, and how might they be used to rethink STS interventions into policy?

Authors

• Thokozani Kamwendo, University of Edinburgh

• Robert David Jonathan Smith, University of Edinburgh

• Deborah Scott, University of Edinburgh