Negotiating Responsible Futures: Developing Technology and Innovation with Horizon 2020 Framework Programme
Translated title
Negotiating Responsible Futures
Author
Snæland, Asbjørn Rebsdorf
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-06-04
Pages
72
Abstract
Specialet undersøger, hvordan forestillinger om 'ansvarlige' teknologiske fremtider iscenesættes og forhandles gennem Teknologivurdering (TA) og Ansvarlig Forskning og Innovation (RRI). Videnskab, teknologi og innovation leverer ikke blot redskaber; de former også, hvordan vi lever, hvad vi anser for muligt, og hvordan vi vurderer vores handlinger. TA og RRI er inter- eller transdisciplinære praksisser, der analyserer nye udviklinger og giver beslutningstagere vejledning. Fra deres reaktive begyndelse i midten af det 20. århundrede har de udviklet sig til designorienterede tilgange, der medskaber forestillede veje mod ansvarlige fremtider. Fordi disse metoder bruges til at forme socioteknologiske fremtider, er det vigtigt at forstå, hvordan de selv formes af nutidens socioteknologiske kontekster. Studiet følger, hvordan 'ansvar' defineres og forhandles på flere arenaer: Teknologirådet, projektet Council of Coaches og EU-Kommissionens program Horizon 2020. Disse arenaer deler ambitionen om at udvikle ansvarlige socioteknologiske fremtider, men de er uenige om, hvad ansvarlighed indebærer. Derfor sker der en løbende (gen)justering af aktører og interesser. Specialet beskriver disse processer som iscenesatte og situerede praksisser—en 'ontologisk koreografi'—der mobiliserer omkring bestemte problemstillinger. TA og RRI er ikke passive eller neutrale; de medierer specifikke etiske og ontologiske positioner. Den performative karakter af denne vidensproduktion er tæt knyttet til deltagernes socioteknologiske identiteter og roller. Samlet set udforsker specialet, hvordan TA og RRI fungerer som mæglere, og hvordan dominerende visioner opstår.
This thesis examines how ideas about 'responsible' technological futures are staged and negotiated through Technology Assessment (TA) and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI). Science, technology and innovation do more than provide tools; they shape how we live, what we think is possible, and how we judge our actions. TA and RRI are inter- or transdisciplinary practices that analyse emerging developments and offer guidance to decision-makers. From their reactive beginnings in the mid-20th century, they have evolved into design-oriented approaches that co-produce imagined pathways toward responsible futures. Because these methods are used to shape sociotechnical futures, it is crucial to understand how they are themselves shaped by present sociotechnical contexts. The study follows how 'responsibility' is defined and negotiated across several sites: the Danish Board of Technology, the Council of Coaches project, and the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme. These sites share an ambition to foster responsible sociotechnical futures, yet they differ in what responsibility entails. As a result, actors and interests are continually aligned and realigned. The thesis describes these processes as staged, situated practices—an 'ontological choreography'—that mobilise around particular issues. TA and RRI are not passive or neutral; they mediate specific ethical and ontological positions. The performative character of this knowledge-making is closely tied to the sociotechnical identities and roles of participants. Overall, the thesis explores how TA and RRI act as mediators and how dominant visions take shape.
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