CONSIDER

CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN DESIGNING RESEARCH GOVERNANCE

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Broader stakeholder engagement in technical and scientific research is desirable for a variety of reasons. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) can be optimal actors to realise the promise of participative research governance. Despite much activity to stimulate and implement CSO participation in research, there is no agreement on how to evaluate the success of participation. CONSIDER will undertake conceptually sound and empirically rich research to establish a model of CSO participation in research. This will contrast theoretical views on benefits and limitations with empirical findings on the practice of CSO participation. Based on a grid of analysis, the project will survey all FP7 research projects. It will investigate 30 relevant projects as in-depth case studies. Using the conceptual grid of analysis and empirical data, a model of CSO participation in research will be developed. This model, representing relationships and causal effects of factors influencing CSO participation, will allow for comparative analysis of such factors to determine the role they play in achieving participation objectives. No such model currently exists, which renders it difficult to plan, implement and evaluate CSO participation in research. Stakeholders requiring such a model include researchers, research funders, policy makers and CSOs. CONSIDER will itself employ CSO participation. The project will develop a network of 100 CSO actors to contribute to a richer debate as associate partners in the project. This approach will ensure that the project meets the expected impacts of the call and will have practical relevance to stakeholders. The uniquely qualified and experienced consortium will ensure that the project has the desired impact. Findings will lead to specific guidelines and policy recommendations for relevant stakeholders. CONSIDER will provide a necessary contribution for the further development of research participation by CSOs in the European Research Area.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Civil society organisations (CSOs) can profoundly affect the outcome of research and innovation in technology. Data on exactly how this can be achieved promises to assist successful research policy for the benefit of society.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Technological research and development can either benefit society or act against its best interests. In this context, groups such as environmental or patient organisations and lobbyists can be viewed as optimal actors that can realise the concept of participative research governance. CSO input into research can also widen the knowledge base and increase the legitimacy of research results.

Despite the high level of interest in CSO participation in technical innovation, there has been very little research dedicated as to how these representative groups actually participate in research. The 'Civil society organisations in designing research governance' (http://www.consider-project.eu (CONSIDER)) project aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing sound empirical data on the role of CSOs in research. The information can then be used to develop guidelines for relevant actors in civil groups.

The CONSIDER consortium is now mapping the parameters that influence the success of CSO activity. By doing so, research will be more likely to deliver beneficial outcomes to the public. Areas sensitive to public concern like genetically modified organisms would be less inclined to veer onto a path where their legitimacy is challenged.

During the first part of the project, CONSIDER used a data-driven approach to develop models of CSO operation. Based on grid analysis, all Seventh Framework Programmes (FP7) were screened to identify those involving CSOs. From 14 000 FP7 projects, there were almost 3 000 completed responses. A second survey on just over 400 projects received 162 completed questionnaires.

The main findings revealed a lack of clarity as to the definition of a CSO and diverging perceptions of their role and capacity. Feedback also included the opinion that there were insufficient incentives for CSOs and a view that science relied heavily on top-down expertise. Expansion of social participation in technical development is a crucial component of, to quote a term used in Horizon 2020, responsible research and innovation (RRI). Through this concept, research will be made more socially responsive and sensitive to social requirements. The RRI agenda is being taken up by other funding organisations thereby broadening the horizon where CONSIDER is having impact.