Nanotechnologies: The Catalyst for Responsible Innovation

Abstract

The notion of “responsible research and innovation” (RRI) and its cognates emerged in response to significant challenges related to the development of nanotechnologies. In this chapter, we trace the rise of RRI from the preresponsible development days through to the emergence of Responsible Innovation in the 2000s and subsequent evolution to RRI in the late 2000s. We home in on a number of key RRI initiatives that have been initiated in response to nanotechnologies and identify key funding programs that have underpinned such work and have contributed to the overall development and uptake of RRI. We address current framings and applications of RRI in other emerging technology areas. Finally, we explore the future of RRI within and beyond the European Union and emphasise the need to evaluate RRI as a policy tool, given significant public sector involvement in the framework.