Upcoming workshop as part of the AFINO research school: RRI and CSR at speed
This workshop aims to explore the tensions between trying to pursue RRI or CSR when faced with issues and technologies characterised by high levels of urgency, complexity and uncertainty.
It is Anne Bremer who explains. She is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities at the University of Bergen, and the head of the AFINO research school. Together with Magdalena Wicher from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna, she now invites people to join the second workshop of the research school.
Dates: 3rd and 10th May 2021.
It’s possible to join the workshop in Bergen, otherwise follow online.
Register here: https://skjemaker.app.uib.no/view.php?id=9192384
For more practical information see below.
Here is what Anne Bremer says about the workshop:
Your research, project or practice is on RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), or has an RRI/CSR component, and is concerned with how to address a particular (social, environmental) issue or the emergence of a particular technology in a responsible way. You probably have adopted one definition or framing of RRI or CSR to address this issue / emergent technology: you might focus on responsiveness or anticipation, or put emphasis on public engagement or science education. Alternatively, you might think of RRI or CSR in terms of care, or focus on ensuring the acceptability and societal desirability of the new technology you are looking at.
However, it is not rare that these issues are urgent, and these technologies are developing fast, ushering us into quick actions. For instance, artificial intelligence being increasingly used to support various decision-making processes leads us to come up with ever-changing data safety guidelines; the fast-changing climate prompts us into hurried mitigation strategies; and the Covid-19 pandemic has urged us to rapidly adopt new social and sanitary norms. To complicate the situation, these issues and technologies are also often characterised by uncertainty and complexity.
This workshop aims to explore the tensions between trying to pursue RRI or CSR when faced with issues and technologies characterised by high levels of urgency, complexity and uncertainty. How can we be reflexive when a technology is emerging and developing fast? How can we be inclusive and encourage public engagement when an issue is urgent? Or in other words, what does RRI and CSR look like at speed?
On the 3rd May, we will address these questions through two theoretical perspectives. First, Anne Bremer will approach them through the lens of ‘post-normal science’ (Funtowicz and Ravetz, 1990), which has extensively discussed how to think and act in situations where we face uncertainty, complexity and urgency. She will also reflect on how non-action can be an option in situations of uncertainty, complexity and urgency. Second, Magdalena Wicher will bring on a Bourdieusian perspective to discuss how we navigate our different roles of RRI researchers/practitioners, citizens, activists, when faced by urgency, complexity and uncertainties.
One week after, to allow space for reflection and preparation, participants will present on the 10th May their reflections on key questions relative to complexity, uncertainty and emergency aspects, relative to their own research context.
Preliminary program:
Monday 3rd May
09:30 – 10:00: Introduction to the workshop and round table
10:00 – 11:00: Lecture by Anne Bremer – an introduction to ‘post-normal science’ and how it can help guide decision-making under uncertainty, complexity and emergency; and reflections about non-action. Time for discussion.
11:00 – 12:00: Lecture by Magdalena Wicher: My position(s) within my field of research – using Bourdieu to elicit and reflect on one’s different roles as RRI researchers/practitioners, citizens, activists, when faced by urgency, complexity and uncertainties. Time for discussion.
12:00 – 13:00: Lunch
13:00 – 14:30: Linking the discussions of the day to one’s own research/project/practice. We will together discuss the questions below on which the participants’ presentations will be based.
- What is the definition(s) of RRI I use in my research/project/practice?
- Why am I working on an RRI project / with RRI- or CSR-related research?
- Am I anticipating issues of complexity, uncertainty and emergency in my research/project/practice? How can I navigate this?
- Am I anticipating issues of ‘positioning’ or how to balance different roles in my research/project/practice? How can I navigate this?
Monday 10th May
09:00 – 12:00: Presentations by the participants on one or several of the themes/questions above. What ‘lessons’ can they draw for their own (future) research/project/practice? How do these help them reframe RRI or CSR in their own research/project/practice?
Practical information:
Workshop: RRI and CSR at speed
Dates and time: 3rd and 10th May 2021
Where: online
Open to all: PhD candidates, early career and senior researchers, R&D practitioners; both from AFINO and broader RRI/CSR networks
Organisers and contact person: Anne Bremer (Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities, University of Bergen, anne.bremer@uib.no) and Magdalena Wicher (Institute for Advanced Studies, Vienna)
Optional credits: 1 ECTS.
Assignment: The 1 ECTS is based on preparatory readings, attendance to the workshop and on giving a presentation at the end of the workshop.
Reading list: to be communicated
Anne Blanchard
Anne Blanchard is a researcher at the Centre for the Study of the Sciences and the Humanities at the University of Bergen, where she is working on projects studying how science is employed for complex and uncertain climate and health challenges.
She is also the leader of The AFINO Research School. Read more about Anne at AFINO's webpage.
