Responsible Governance of Research and Innovation in Universities

Ata Heshmati, Ali Maleki

Abstract

Responsible research and innovation (RRI) is an emerging literature pursuing to develop a new model for governing science and technology in a responsible way. One of the most important aims of RRI is to transform the governance model of universities in order to be more accountable to the external motives. Examining the history of the universities in Iran, this paper suggests an overview on the evolution of governance models in Iranian higher education institutions. This paper analyzes the existent models of governance and management of scientific communities. The first question this paper faced with is about the origins of RRI. To deal with this, the history of RRI in both innovation literature and policy documents was comprehensively discussed. The relationship between RRI and the problem of governance was examined. These models might be a combination of hierarchical, bureaucratic, market-based, and network models. In addition, the particular kind of responsibility assigned to science and scientists in each model were examined and our new model of governance that we argue could meet the RRI criteria better and more efficient was proposed. This historical case study might help policymakers to consider contextual conditions of Iran's society in the forthcoming policy making.

Keywords: Responsible Research and Innovation, Governance of University, New Public Management, Higher Education.

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