Adaptive Governance for Responsible Innovation

This chapter introduces the components and characteristics of the governance framework. It focuses on the notions of responsibility and accountability and how innovation at the earliest stages of research, and by scientists themselves, can be more open and reflective. Then it turns to consider the types of regulatory tools that might bring more formal accountability to the governance of innovative technologies and their products, focusing on the points within the innovation and product network at which regulatory intervention might be appropriate and effective. It also suggests that there is a necessary dependence on soft law and co-operative approaches to embed notions of responsibility in the early stages of research and innovation. This leads us to consider the fundamental principles of an effective governance framework and to reflect on progress in, and requirements for, development of the essential tools to ensure anticipation, reflection, deliberation, and responsiveness.