01 - Intro - STRI

Home Readings

Elzen and Wieczorek, 2005 on general transitions: Elzen, Boelie & Wieczorek, Anna J. (2005). Transitions towards sustainability through system innovation. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 72(6 SPEC. ISS.), 651-661.
Geels, 2002 on MLP: Geels, F.W. 2002. Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case study. Research Policy 31(8/9): 1257–74
Kemp et al, 1998 on SNM: Kemp, R., J. Schot, and R. Hoogma. 1998. Regime shifts to sustainability through processes of niche formation: the approach of strategic niche management. Technology Analysis and Strategic Management 10, (2): 175–96.
Loorbach et al, 2017, Sustainability Transitions Research: Transforming Science and Practice for Societal Change, Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Vol. 42:599-626.
bo van de Poel and Lambèr Royakkers (2011). Ethics, Technology, and Engineering: An Introduction, First Edition. Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Lecture

Uncertainty of emergent technologies

Technology

[[Technology]]

technology

Technology is knowledge/methods embedded in the objects we use.

Is technology enough to solve problems?

We need technology
We also need behavioural change
- Society is giving meaning to technology

Every technology implementation brings with it [[#Dilemmas]]

Dilemmas

Every [[#Technology]] implementation brings with it dilemmas.

For example, we are collecting huge quantities of data. What if the data is leaked?

There are risks associated with implementing new technologies, which raises the question: what are the implications of using new technologies?

Technological innovation

Technological innovation can be transformative, beneficial and changing the world. But it is also full of risks, controversies, ethical dilemmas and higly uncertain.

Societal challenges

societal challenges

Societal challenges are problems that is experienced by a bigger part of society.

The common denominator is that they are:

complex: a lot of interrelations between actors and elements
nonlinear:
uncertain:
value-laden:
- Not every one perceive these challenges as challenges
locally conceived, globally manifested

Therefore, there is a necessity to talk to people, to be in a dialogue. If we consult people about their problems, there is a chance that we can come up with a better solution.

Up to now, we've been saying that innovation is needed for economic growth. Now we realise that we did it at the cost of our environment.

What is the goal of innovation? Do we solely innovate for economic growth? Also for sustainability?

SOCIO-TECHNICAL EXPERIMENTATION:
Testing the proposal in a village, with real people. Testing things out in real life.

[[Collingridge Dilemma]]

collingridge dilemma

When a new technology is introduced (Technology Ideation), it is easy to control but very hard to know or predict its future implications.

As the technology becomes more establish (technology diffusion), its effects become more and more clear but it is also much harder to control it.

Collingridge dilemma graph.png

Sustainability Transitions

System Innovation

Sustainability transition

System change is often called a transition.

sustainability transitions

Sustainability transition is the process of going from the status quo (Incumbent regime) to a new regime where we can keep functioning

Broad context (landscape) --> these are the big trends/developments/shocks (war, price change on oil...): they often provide opportunities, making space for new alternatives that can allow for a new regime.

In the incumbent regime:

Power play
Conflicts and contestations

How do we involve users?

Not always the best solutions wins. What wins is the solution that has the most votes.

There are always winners and losers

Strategic Niche Management

How do we support niches?

Shielding
Nurturing
- Feed the niche. Make sure that a lot of people like it and use it
Empowering
- How do you navigate your way in a system that works in a completely different way