This Unit is a collaboration between the University of Tasmania and Dr Justine Lacey, Research Director of CSIRO’s Responsible Innovation Future Science Platform, and her team.
CSIRO’s Responsible Innovation research program examines “the interface between science, technology innovation and the associated ethical, social and legal consequences of new and disruptive science and technologies. CSIRO’s Future Science Platforms aim to develop the early stage science that underpins disruptive innovation and has the potential to reinvent and create new industries for Australia”.
Please see CSIRO Responsible Innovation Future Science Program.
Introduction
Emerging science and technology is creating complex issues for societies and their decision makers. Novel and disruptive innovations and technologies present significant policy, regulatory and ethical challenges, which if left unresolved, could constrain the potential for future science to deliver benefits to society. Researchers need to be able to distinguish between 'responsible research' (upstream standard operating procedures and ethics) and 'responsible innovation' (RI) which extends the research to include downstream stakeholders (produce consumers, retailers and those who provide product support).
This unit provides learners with resources to operationalise the Responsible Innovation (RI) concept into their own disciplines through developing their own views and stance on what it means to practice innovation responsibly. It equips learners with a basic knowledge of RI and specific implementation tools using a range of case studies and scenarios that explore the complexity of issues across the sciences in for example, agri-technology, marine science, molecular biology and science futures. Participants will be introduced to the various elements generally considered to be encompassed by RI including values and assumptions; rationale and motivations for RI; inclusive deliberation; evaluation of ideas and accounting for the intangible. By exploring contested issues in RI across different environmental, policy and societal contexts, the unit aims to help students develop their own personal insights on how to become a more deliberative RI 'practitioner'.
Summary
| Unit name | Responsible and Sustainable Innovation |
| Unit code | KLA101 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | Sciences and Engineering Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture |
| Discipline | Agriculture and Food Systems |
| Coordinator | Doctor Kamal Singh |
| Available as an elective? | Yes |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania and Third Party(ies): |
| Level | Introductory |
Sustainable Development Goals
The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.
Availability
Specific information on 2027 unit availability will be available in August
Learning Outcomes
- Describe behaviours that underpin Responsible Innovation (RI) to support changes in industrial technologies and science.
- Explain values, motivations and assumptions in the design and/or use of industrial technologies and science futures
- Outline Responsible Innovation tools to support change in industrial technologies and science futures
- Describe the principles underpinning your approach to Responsible Innovation
Fee Information
2027 fee information will be available in August.
Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Weekly workshops both on-line and face-to-face. Asynchronous delivery of recorded lectures, activities, readings and other resources. |
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| Assessment | Journal of Useful Ideas (15%)|PosterChecklist - Responsible Innovation Tool (20%)|Group Sense-making through Provocation and Reflective Practice (30%)|Case Study and Essay: Industrial Technologies or science futures and Social Licence to Operate(SLO) (35%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes. |
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The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.