Science for Society? Socially Responsible Research in the Western World

This course will analyse ideas about the responsibility of science toward society. It will provide a critical examination of how scientists, policy makers and citizens, make science accountable towards society and try to increase its social relevance. First, the course will examine calls for the development of responsible research practices; then, it will address the changing meanings of socially relevant science; lastly it will question how stakeholders? involvement in science may improve the quality and relevance of science.

The course will draw on contemporary sociological research on science and technology. It is open to any student who wishes to understand the economic, political and social dynamics that shape how scientific knowledge is produced and used in the Western world. We will talk about several areas of science that raise critical societal issues, such as biomedical and health sciences, climate science, environmental science, and data science.

Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA awards credits based on the ECTS system. Contact hours listed under a course description may vary due to the combination of lecture-based and independent work required for each course. CEA CAPA's recommended credits are based on the ECTS credits assigned by Sciences Po Grenoble - UGA (2 ECTS credits equals 1 U.S. credit therefore, 5 ECTS credits is equivalent to 2.5 U.S. credits).