📺 Missed the webinar? Watch the full recording here:
🔗 Below the post, you will find the speakers’ presentations.
On February 13, 2025, ERA Fabric hosted an insightful webinar on Human-Centricity in R&D and Innovation Policies, bringing together experts from research, policy, and urban innovation. The discussion highlighted how placing people at the center of research and innovation can lead to more impactful, ethical, and inclusive solutions.
🔍 Key Takeaways
✅ From Technology-Driven to Human-Centered Innovation
Innovation should not only be driven by technology but by real human needs. Research projects need to integrate co-design models, social impact assessments, and participatory engagement strategies to ensure that solutions are accessible and equitable.
✅ The Role of Social Sciences & Humanities (SSH) in R&I
Social sciences and humanities (SSH) are key to making research more inclusive and impactful. SSH methods help to assess behavioral change, measure social acceptance, and engage diverse communities, ensuring that research benefits society as a whole.
✅ Mobilizing Local Knowledge for Urban Transitions
Cities and communities hold valuable knowledge and insights that must be mobilized to drive urban transformation. The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership presented strategies to connect grassroots organizations, policymakers, and researchers to develop sustainable urban solutions.
✅ Rethinking Evaluation in Research & Innovation
How do we measure the true impact of innovation? Traditional metrics often focus only on economic growth, but new evaluation models should consider societal well-being, sustainability, and ethical factors.
📖 Featured presentations included:
- Johannes Riegler, Management Board Member at DUT Partnership – How local knowledge can drive urban transformation.
- Dr. Chiara Fonio, Head of Social Innovation at ICON – Exploring human-centric frameworks in R&I and their real-world applications.
- Jonathan Deer, European Alliance for Social Sciences and Humanities (EASSH) – Why SSH perspectives are critical in shaping innovation policies.