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Paulien Herder on the NWO-MVI Platform
In the section 'Uitgesproken', from the NWO magazine Hypothesis, experts respond to a new development of NWO. In November 2016, Paulien Herder (Professor of Engineering Systems Design in Energy & Industry at Delft University of Technology) responded to the announcement of a new knowledge platform on socially responsible innovation (the NWO-MVI Platform) - intended for science, business and social organisations.
'Socially Responsible Innovation (MVI) is highly relevant. It is one of the core subjects of the faculty I work with, and as a system engineer I am used to taking various values into my research. But especially in the development of new technologies and their integration into the digital economy, such as smart grids (smart electricity networks) or self-propelled cars, new - often ethical - aspects emerge that need attention in the design. Many MVI representatives are already involved in our ongoing MVI projects. If such a platform becomes a central point of all knowledge in this area, and communicates clearly to researchers and users inland and abroad, it can be a useful tool.'
Responsible innovation requires pro-actively assessing and carefully evaluating all relevant values. Controversies arise from value conflicts between stakeholders. This project develops a method to link formal assessment tools - such as cost-benefit analysis - to informal assessment as found in societal debates. In this way all relevant values can be taken into account.