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Assessing the Impact of Technology Assessment, Responsible Research and Innovation and Sustainability Research: Towards a Common Methodological Approach

Author

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  • Miltos Ladikas

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, G-76135 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • Julia Hahn

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, G-76135 Karlsruhe, Germany)

  • Lei Huang

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, G-76135 Karlsruhe, Germany
    Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development, Beijing 100038, China)

Abstract

The missions of Technology Assessment (TA), Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) and Sustainability Research (SR) are similar in their relationship to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI). Although adopting different terminology, the three research fields show great conceptual and methodological overlaps, as all three react to societal demands and policy needs via common tools. The impact of TA, RRI and SR is linked directly, but its assessment requires new thinking in terms of common conceptual and methodological approaches. The paper provides an overview of the current discussion on societal impact assessment and identifies areas of particular interest for the three fields. It describes the current discussions on impact assessment and impact indicators in each field and undertakes a bibliometric analysis that shows clear inter-relationships in terms of thematic focus and a common emphasis on impact in all three fields. Following this analysis, the paper argues for a common impact assessment methodology for TA, RRI and SR, under the notion of resonance and based on the concepts of anticipation, reflection and inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Miltos Ladikas & Julia Hahn & Lei Huang, 2022. "Assessing the Impact of Technology Assessment, Responsible Research and Innovation and Sustainability Research: Towards a Common Methodological Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2014-:d:746467
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    References listed on IDEAS

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