Responsibility, Representation and Participation: Bureaucratic Steering of Biofuel Research. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shahare, Mahendra; Thayyil, Naveen
• Other Names: Pandey Poonam guest-editor.; Valkenburg Govert guest-editor.; Mamidipudi Annapurna guest-editor.; Bijker Wiebe guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Science, technology & society. Volume 25:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 325
• Page End: 340
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: RRI -- biofuel research -- synthetic biology -- public participation -- India; Technology -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Science -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 509
• DOI: 10.1177/0971721820903003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0971-7218

Abstract

This article seeks to trace the implicit notion of responsibility in the bureaucratic steering of biofuel research in India—as a useful entry point to think further on framework of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in India. It concentrates on a specific aspect within the RRI framework in particular—public engagement and concerns for greater participation. By engaging with R&D in biofuel technologies in India, the techno-bureaucratic steering of its trajectories and the emphasis on public engagement within RRI frames, this article seeks to bring focus on how S&T governance in India could in principle be made more responsive to societal needs by motivating positive developments in line with public needs.