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Toward a Socially Desirable EU Research and Innovation Agenda on Urban Waste: A Transnational EU Citizen Consultation

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  • Durwin Lynch

    (Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Frank Kupper

    (Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Jacqueline Broerse

    (Athena Institute for Research on Innovation and Communication in Health and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Growing waste production has become a global sustainability challenge that is in need of innovative solutions. It has been argued that greater public engagement in science and technology policy could stimulate new directions for innovation and provide orientation for the development of more acceptable, sustainable, and desirable innovations that address societal needs. In 2013, the European Commission (EC) piloted a EU-wide study to engage citizens in setting the research and innovation (R&I) agenda on urban waste. This yielded the question: ‘To what extent are the proposed ideas considered innovative, feasible, and meaningful for the EC R&I agenda?’ This article addresses the outcomes of 100 focus group discussions held in 27 European Union (EU) countries in which 992 citizens were consulted. Citizens discussed a number of (self-experienced) barriers and concerns regarding waste management, and proposed and prioritized over 350 ideas to realize a (near) zero-waste society. Although citizens found it complex to propose innovative and feasible ideas, their priorities were consistent with current EU research policy areas of importance (e.g., reduce packaging, stimulate recycling), and in addition, citizens proposed various new ways to strengthen current waste management (e.g., innovations to enhance convenience in household waste management). We argue that citizen involvement in EC R&I agenda-setting across the EU is feasible, and leads to meaningful input. However, in making sense of this input, it is essential to take contextual differences into account. Various recommendations are given for future agenda-setting activities at the EU level.

Suggested Citation

  • Durwin Lynch & Frank Kupper & Jacqueline Broerse, 2018. "Toward a Socially Desirable EU Research and Innovation Agenda on Urban Waste: A Transnational EU Citizen Consultation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1641-:d:147929
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anneloes Roelofsen & Jacqueline Broerse & Tjard de Cock Buning & Joske Bunders, 2010. "Engaging with future technologies: how potential future users frame ecogenomics," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 37(3), pages 167-179, April.
    2. Marianne Benard & Tjard de Cock-Buning, 2014. "Moving from monodisciplinarity towards transdisciplinarity: Insights into the barriers and facilitators that scientists faced," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 41(6), pages 720-733.
    3. Magda Pieczka & Oliver Escobar, 2012. "Dialogue and science: Innovation in policy-making and the discourse of public engagement in the UK," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 40(1), pages 113-126, September.
    4. Laurie Boussaguet & Renaud Dehousse, 2009. "Too big to fly? A review of the first EU citizens' conferences," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 36(10), pages 777-789, December.
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