15.06.2022
How can mission-oriented research and innovation be designed and implemented in a sustainable way? And how can these efforts be coordinated between different actors, across policy fields and levels? These and other questions were the focus of the first international conference of the Leibniz Research Network Knowledge for Sustainable Development, in which ZALF is also involved.
Systemic innovations are urgently needed to address global sustainability challenges such as the climate crisis. The approach of mission-oriented research and innovation (R&I) promises to address this need: It aims to achieve ambitious and inspiring societal goals through a broad portfolio of inter- and transdisciplinary activities within a given time and resource frame.
Nevertheless, the design and implementation of mission-oriented R&I also raises new questions. In particular with regard to their normativity, possible conflicting goals, appropriate forms of governance, the accountability of actors, and with a view to social learning, it remains to be clarified how "missions" can be designed in a sustainable way.
On May 5 and 6, experts from academia, policy, and civil society discussed these and other questions together in order to critically explore the opportunities, challenges, and limitations of mission-oriented R&I. The conference took place in a hybrid format, combining live lectures at the Leibniz Headquarters in Berlin with a variety of interactive online formats on selected topics and issues. A wide range of application fields and research perspectives were considered - from urban development to the hydrogen economy and bioeconomy to ocean development or historical "missions."
ZALF was represented by Prof. Katharina Helming, who contributed to two sessions. The topics were "Mission-oriented Research in Agriculture and Bioeconomy" and "How can criteria for socially responsible research facilitate mission-oriented research?”.
Further information:
About the Leibniz Research Network Knowledge for Sustainable Development
Five institutions of the Leibniz Association have joined forces to form the Leibniz Research Network Knowledge for Sustainable Development. In doing so, they are pooling their expertise to give sustainability sciences greater influence and effectiveness. Every two years, the network organizes an international conference. The aim is to facilitate a dialogue between actors from science, politics and practice in an international and transdisciplinary environment to discuss future orientations for science and politics. The conference on May 5 and 6 marked the start of the conference series.
