Median

The Innovation Union: A perfect means to confused ends?

2011-11-14T10:54:57Z

A commentary on the EU research and innovation strategy, recently published in Environmental Science & Policy

by Sybille van den Hove, Jacqueline McGlade, Pierre Mottet and Michael Depledge

Abstract: In this commentary we argue that innovation is a means, not an end in itself. Innovation is only desirable to the extent that it improves human health and well-being and contributes to environmental, social, and economic sustainability. If innovation is merely focussed on bringing more products to markets and delivering economic growth in the short term, as is currently the trend in the European Union and many OECD countries, it is unclear how it differs from the dominant pre-crisis approach which, notwithstanding its positive effects on living standards, led to unsustainable resource use, crippling biodiversity loss, and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. As the future European research, development and innovation policies are being defined, we should not miss an historic opportunity to concentrate on improving human health, wellbeing and quality of life, and to embark on a more ecologically, socially and economically sustainable path. Given the scale and irreversibility of our damaging effects on the environment and on the well-being of current and future generations, we call for these aspects to be urgently represented in European innovation discourses, policies, and actions. Re-balancing market focussed innovation and socially meaningful and responsible innovation (i.e. innovation with a human purpose) can be achieved by building on a broader concept of innovation which not only includes technological innovation, but also non-technological, social, institutional, organisational and behavioural innovation. We then discuss the importance of curiosity-driven research and of environment and health research as drivers of socially meaningful innovation in all its forms.

Please contact us for a copy of the paper.

Reference: van den Hove, S., McGlade, J., Mottet, P., Depledge, M.H. (2012) The Innovation Union: A perfect means to confused ends? Environmental Science and Policy, 12:1, 73-80.

Biodiversity, Transformation and Socially Meaningful Innovation

2011-11-04T10:33:27Z

On September 23, 2011, Sybille van den Hove gave a presentation on "Biodiversity, Transformation and Socially Meaningful Innovation" during the 26th Sustainability Executive Roundtable: 'Business and Biodiversity: the Next Sustainability Challenge', organised by the Social Innovation Centre of INSEAD, Fontainebleau, France.


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Policy demands for value evidence on deep-sea environments

2011-11-04T09:56:53Z

In this report produced by the HERMIONE project, the authors (Rob Tinch, Sybille van den Hove, and Claire W. Armstrong) consider valuation evidence in the context of the governance of deep seas, in particular focusing on the policy demand for different sorts of value evidence, and the opportunities and barriers for greater use of value evidence to contribute to the sustainable management of deep-sea systems.


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HERMIONE

2011-11-04T07:32:13Z

The HERMIONE (Hotspot Ecosystem Research and Man's Impact on European Seas) project is a Collaborative Project funded under the European Commission's 7th Framework programme for research. It is designed to make a major advance in our knowledge of the functioning of deep-sea ecosystems and their contribution to the production of goods and services. This will be achieved through a highly interdisciplinary approach (including biologists, ecologists, microbiologists, biogeochemists, sedimentologists, physical oceanographers, modelers and socio-economists) that will integrate biodiversity, specific adaptions and biological capacity in the context of a wide range of highly vulnerable deep-sea habitats. Gaining this understanding is crucial, because these ecosystems are now being affected by climate change and impacted by man through fishing, resource extraction, seabed installations and pollution. To design and implement effective governance strategies and management plans we must understand the extent, natural dynamics and interconnection of ocean ecosystems and integrate socio-economic research with natural science.

HERMIONE study sites include the Arctic, North Atlantic and Mediterranean and cover a range of ecosystems including cold-water corals, canyons, cold and hot seeps, seamounts and open slopes and deep basins. The project will make strong connections between deep-sea science and user needs. HERMIONE will enhance the education and public perception of the deep-ocean issues through some of the major European aquaria. A major aim of the project is to create a platform for discussion between a range of stakeholders, and contribute to EU environmental policies.

HERMIONE started work on 1 April 2009 and will continue for the next 3 years. Our consortium comprises 38 partners across Europe, and includes leading experts in the fields of marine research and environmental socio-economics.

Median is a partner in HERMIONE. Sybille van den Hove is leading Work Package 6 'Socio-economics, governance and science-policy interfaces'. Rob Tinch and Emily Dolan are also involved in the project.

EU innovation must benefit society

2011-11-04T05:56:41Z

Correspondence in Nature, 9 June 2011.

Authors: S. van den Hove, J. McGlade, M. Depledge


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Estelle Balian

2011-06-29T08:47:25Z

Estelle Balian owns a BA. in Genetics and Molecular Biology and a MSc. in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. She has professional and academic expertise in Freshwater ecology and river management. Over the past 6 years she has developed competences in science communication, event planning and international research networking activities. She is now involved in projects related to Science-Policy Interfaces on Biodiversity and ecosystem services, and is especially interested in participatory (...) - Research Associates

Executive Session: Dreaming & Visioning

Marc Le Menestrel — 2011-06-05T09:38:00Z

- Values, Ethics & Business Decision-Making

Executive Session: Values, Ethics and Decisions

Marc Le Menestrel — 2011-06-05T09:37:42Z

- Values, Ethics & Business Decision-Making

Nightmares, Dreams and Business Decisions : Teaching Values for Leadership Development

Marc Le Menestrel — 2011-06-05T09:37:13Z

- Values, Ethics & Business Decision-Making

Interface Investigations

2010-12-01T10:07:00Z

This article, from International Innovation, presents the SPIRAL project. It includes and interview of the two coordinators of SPIRAL, Allan Watt from CEH and Sybille van den Hove.


SPIRAL in International Innovation: Download the article