Norm-critical innovation as a way forward for responsible innovation? Evidence from a Swedish innovation policy program

Summary, in English

In 2014, the Swedish innovation agency Vinnova set up the program ‘Gender and Diversity for Innovation’, which has its roots in norm-critical innovation. In line with rationales for responsible innovation, a central aim of the program is to identify and challenge discriminatory norms to develop more inclusive and equal innovation processes. This article presents the findings of an in-depth analysis of 34 projects funded under the program. It explores how norm-critical innovation has been practiced and performed in various empirical settings and whether norm-critical innovation practices could be a way forward for the implementation of responsible innovation. Using a qualitative research design, we identify the most common activities and outputs in the projects and carve out the core characteristics of norm-critical innovation practice. Furthermore, the paper explores the value and limitation of norm-critical approaches for fostering responsible innovation and addressing societal challenges more broadly.

• Author: Lea Fuenfschilling; Linda Paxling; Eugenia Perez Vico
• Department/s: CIRCLE
• Publishing year: 2022
• Language: English
• Pages: 371-397
• Publication/Series: Journal of Responsible Innovation
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 3
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2022.2112817
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Topic: Other Social Sciences
• Keywords: innovation policy; Norm-critical innovation; responsible innovation; responsible research and innovation
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 2329-9460