Participatory Settings of Innovation: Challenges for the Co-Production of Knowledge

Participatory settings and democratic structures in knowledge production are a hot topic in science studies and science policy. Recent developments show that participation is an important factor to increase public and political legitimacy, especially when complex problems are characterized by a large societal impact and technological uncertainty. Still, the question remains open: how do different forms of participation in knowledge production influence and possibly change innovation processes? In this sense, participation can be regarded as an open concept that itself is co-produced.

This expert workshop will critically explore the challenges and chances of participatory settings in innovation processes. Further, the workshop will address the integration of different types of knowledge and epistemic regimes, the role of emotions, narratives and imaginaries as stabilizing concepts in the innovation process, and the influence of financial resources on these processes.