The social [and ethical] dimensions of technological innovation processes


Nel dibattito pubblico, nella politica, nelle dinamiche economiche, l’innovazione è ormai riconosciuta come un elemento di centrale importanza per lo sviluppo della società contemporanea.

 

This research area examines the co-production of science, technology and society by focusing on understanding how technological innovations are deeply embedded in social practices, power relations and cultural meanings that influence their design, adoption and impact. By integrating perspectives from science and technology studies (STS), sociology, anthropology, economics and media studies, this area draws on the critical contribution of the social sciences in unpacking the complexity of innovation processes. Overall, the research area explores how socio-technical innovation trajectories are constructed, contested and negotiated, and how they intersect with evolving forms of consumption, especially in the context of the digital society, with a focus on the ethical implications of new technologies in society.

Specific articulations of this research area are:

  •                   Public discourses and innovation trajectories: Analysing how narratives and expectations around emerging technologies shape their development and societal acceptance.  
  •                   Technology use in the digital society: Exploring how digital technologies are transforming everyday practices, social interactions and consumption patterns.
  •                   Ethical and social implications of innovation: Assessing the societal and ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies, with a focus on inclusivity, equity and sustainability.  
  •                   Cultural and organisational dimensions of innovation: Exploring the role of cultural values and organisational structures in the design and implementation of technologies, infrastructures and standards.  
  •                   Local innovation policies and regional dynamics: Examining how regional contexts, particularly in Veneto and North-East Italy, influence and are influenced by global innovation trends.

 

Projects

 

 

Contact person