ToNoWaste: Developing a holistic assessment for food waste prevention.
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Mahshid Sotoudeh is a TA researcher with a background in chemical and process engineering. She is associate professor in the field of "technology assessment and sustainability".
Born in 1963 in Tehran, she studied polymer and chemical engineering in Tehran and Vienna, graduating with honours in 1991 with a study on the modelling of mass transfer in a bioreactor for waste air treatment. Her PhD thesis on the computer aided modelling and analysis of material flow in the environment was completed in 1994. In 2010 she concluded her "habilitation" procedure at the Technical University of Graz and received the venia legendi in "technology assessment and sustainability."
From 1991 to 1994, Mahshid was research and teaching assistant at the Vienna University of Technology, working on sustainable development and interdisciplinary modelling in environmental engineering. She moved to the Chemistry and Environment Research Institute in 1994 and continued her work on the modelling of material flows in natural and industrial systems. In 1998 she started work at the ITA in the field of technology and sustainability.
She has become increasingly interested in interdisciplinary research for the analysis of complex issues at the interface between technology, environment and society. Her first research topics included clean technologies, innovation in the chemical industry and the adoption of environmental technologies, integrated environmental technologies in the cement industry and refineries, renewable resources and bioplastics. After a number of projects on the TA of innovative environmental technologies, in recent years she has become involved in a broader approach towards sustainability at national and international level. These issues include technical education for sustainable development, aging society, sustainable urban regions, Parliamentary TA, participatory methods and foresight.
Among others she is a member of the editorial board of the Journal for Technology Assessment in Theory and Practice (TATuP).
Among her numerous publications, the book Technical education for sustainability, An analysis of needs in the 21st century and her contributions to TA in teaching are particularly noteworthy.
Expectations play a distinctive role in shaping emerging technologies and producing hype cycles when a technology is adopted or fails on the market. To harness expectations, facilitate and provoke forward-looking discussions, and identify policy alternatives, futures studies are required. Here, expert anticipation of possible or probable future developments becomes extremely arbitrary beyond short-term prediction, and the results of futures studies are often controversial, divergent, or even contradictory; thus they are contested. Nevertheless, such socio-technical imaginaries may prescribe a future that seems attainable to those involved in the visioneering process, and other futures may thus become less likely and shaping them could become more difficult. This implies a need to broaden the debate on socio-technological development, creating spaces where policy, science, and society can become mutually responsive to each other. Laypeople’s experiential and value-based knowledge is highly relevant for complementing expertise to inform socially robust decision-making in science and technology. This paper presents the evolution of a transdisciplinary, forward-looking co-creation process — a demand-side approach developed to strengthen needs-driven research and innovation governance by cross-linking knowledge of laypeople, experts, and stakeholders. Three case studies serve as examples. We argue that this approach can be considered a method for adding social robustness to visioneering and to responsible socio-technical change.
Traditionally, expert-based forward looking has been applied to anticipate future challenges, solutions and strategic decisions, but limitations to this approach have become obvious – especially when considering long term perspectives – e.g. failing to include a comprehensive array of opinions. Aiming at producing sustainable strategies for responsible socio-technical change, research funding can benefit from combining forward looking and public participation to elicit socially robust knowledge from consulting with multi-actors, including citizens. In this paper, we give insights into the EU project CIMULACT – Citizen and Multi-Actor Consultation on Horizon 2020. In CIMULACT, more than 4500 citizens, stakeholders and experts from 30 European countries engaged online and offline to co-create research topics. These are supposed to serve as input for the next round of calls in Horizon 2020, national research agendas as well as the ninth framework programme in the making. We investigate key results of this transdisciplinary process focussing on the topic “democratic education” with regard to two levels: What issues concerning the topic were raised? Can we find a common European imaginary for “democratic education”? Our analysis shows that the results contribute to defining and describing challenges for the currently prevailing imaginary of democratic education in Europe.
Looking back on the many prophets who tried to predict the future as if it were predetermined, at first sight any forward-looking activity is reminiscent of making predictions with a crystal ball. In contrast to fortune tellers, today’s exercises do not predict, but try to show different paths that an open future could take. A key motivation to undertake forward-looking activities is broadening the information basis for decision-makers to help them actively shape the future in a desired way. Experts, laypeople, or stakeholders may have different sets of values and priorities with regard to pending decisions on any issue related to the future. Therefore, considering and incorporating their views can, in the best case scenario, lead to more robust decisions and strategies. However, transferring this plurality into a form that decision-makers can consider is a challenge in terms of both design and facilitation of participatory processes. In this paper, we will introduce and critically assess a new qualitative method for forward-looking activities, namely CIVISTI (Citizen Visions on Science, Technology and Innovation; www.civisti.org), which was developed during an EU project of the same name. Focussing strongly on participation, with clear roles for citizens and experts, the method combines expert, stakeholder and lay knowledge to elaborate recommendations for decision-making in issues related to today’s and tomorrow’s science, technology and innovation. Consisting of three steps, the process starts with citizens’ visions of a future 30–40 years from now. Experts then translate these visions into practical recommendations which the same citizens then validate and prioritise to produce a final product. The following paper will highlight the added value as well as limits of the CIVISTI method and will illustrate potential for the improvement of future processes.
This paper discusses participatory methods as a tool with which to overcome some underlying barriers to the development of innovative environmental technologies. These methods may not only promote a better comprehension of society’s needs and an improved understanding of user requirements, but also generate discussions and co-operation between relevant groups (industrial scientists, members of the scientific community, company managers, politicians, assessors, investors, etc.). Participatory approaches with transparent and clearly defined goals, a well-organised process and the integration of relevant policy fields can contribute to successful communication between actors in the interest of the development of innovative environmental technologies.
People aged 65 years and older are the fastest growing section of the population in many countries. Great hopes are projected on technology to support solutions for many of the challenges arising from this trend, thus making our lives more independent, more efficient and safer with a higher quality of life. But, as research and innovation ventures are often closely linked to the market, their focus may lead to biased planning in research and development as well as in policymaking with severe social and economic consequences. Thus the main research question concerned desirable settings of ageing in the future from different perspectives. The participatory foresight study CIVISTI-AAL cross-linked knowledge of lay persons, experts and stakeholders to include a wide variety of perspectives and values into productive long-term planning of research and development. Results include citizens’ visions for autonomous living in 2050, implicitly and explicitly containing basic needs towards technological, social and organizational development as well as recommendations for implementation. Conclusions suggest that personalized health and living environments play an important part in the lay persons’ view of aging in the future, but only if technologies support social and organizational innovations and yet do not neglect the importance of social affiliation and inclusion.
Active and Assisted Living (AAL) bezieht sich auf den Einsatz von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien in den Bereichen Gesundheit, Mobilität, Kommunikation, Arbeit und Pflege mit besonderer Beachtung der Bedürfnisse älterer Menschen. Dabei zielt AAL darauf ab, Dienstleistungen und Technologien zur Verfügung zu stellen, die das Wohlbefinden, die Autonomie und die Sicherheit älterer Menschen, sowie deren Gesundheit und soziale Integration, erhalten und verbessern.
„Responsible Research and Innovation“ (RRI) ist zu einem wichtigen Schlagwort der EU-Forschungspolitik geworden. Das Ziel: Technische Innovationen sollen sich an ethischen und gesellschaftlichen Erfordernissen orientieren und nicht allein durch kommerzielle Interessen bestimmt sein. RRI verlangt daher nach einer frühzeitigen Einbindung der Technikfolgenabschätzung (TA) in Innovationsprozesse. Doch was kann die TA in diesem Rahmen leisten? Und wie tragfähig ist das Konzept von RRI überhaupt?
Die in diesem Band versammelten Beiträge zeigen, welche Rolle das Konzept RRI im europäischen Kontext spielt, welche Bezüge es zwischen RRI und TA gibt und wo die Grenzen von RRI liegen. Damit wendet sich dieser Band an Entscheidungsträger in Politik und Industrie, die je unterschiedliche Phasen des Innovationsprozesses begleiten. Schließlich ist das Buch auch für die interessierte Öffentlichkeit von Interesse, denn deren Rolle wird in der RRI besonders hervorgehoben, um gesellschaftlich wünschenswerte Innovationen zu realisieren.
The study aims to identify important actor groups and the relevant topics according to their perceptions. Thereby a focus was put on the identification of topics which define the social and organisational context of innovative technical solutions for autonomous living of older adults. In the context of the study also potential pitfalls that should be prevented in the course of the programme were identified.
-> Krisen wie die COVID-19-Pandemie stellen Wissenschaft und Politik vor neue Herausforderungen. -> Wissenschaftliche Politikberatung informiert Verwaltung und Politik, ihre Güte und Effizienz hängt von unterschiedlichen Kriterien ab. -> Um Effizienz zu steigern und Vertrauen zu schaffen, muss wissenschaftliche Politikberatung transparent gestaltet sein. -> Gleichzeitig wird Vertrauen während chronischer Krisen gestärkt, wenn vielfältige Perspektiven berücksichtigt werden. -> Um adäquate Beratung zu ermöglichen, ist eine Ausstattung mit ausreichenden Ressourcen unerlässlich.
-> Our current food system provides relative food security at the expense of the environment and health. It does not meet the challenges of climate change. -> Regional (direct) marketing of predominantly plant-based (organic) products can significantly promote the transition to a climate-friendly food system. -> Possible alternative futures for the promotion of regional diets show options for action and the political and social scope for action.
-> Unser derzeitiges Lebensmittelsystem bietet relative Ernährungssicherheit auf Kosten von Umwelt und Gesundheit. Es wird den Herausforderungen des Klimawandels nicht gerecht. -> Regionale (Direkt-) Vermarktung überwiegend pflanzlicher (Bio-) Produkte kann den Übergang zu einem klimagerechten Lebensmittelsystem wesentlich fördern. -> Mögliche alternative Zukünfte zur Förderung regionaler Ernährungsweisen zeigen Handlungsoptionen und den politischen und gesellschaftlichen Gestaltungsspielraum
-> Traffic congestion costs the EU over €80 billion annually.
-> All major European cities face the challenge of reducing congestion, pollution and accidents in the years to come.
-> Currently, there is no single consistent mobility pricing scheme in Austria. Various approaches for different transport modes co-exist.
-> Mobility behaviour can be governed sustainably by optimising pricing patterns for all modes of transport and directing them towards common goals.
Authors: Tanja Sinozic, Stefanie Peer, Mahshid Sotoudeh, Niklas Gudowsky
-> Staus kosten die EU jährlich über 80 Milliarden Euro.
-> Alle großen europäischen Städte stehen aktuell vor der Herausforderung, Staus, Umweltverschmutzung und Unfälle zu reduzieren.
-> Derzeit gibt es in Österreich kein einheitliches Mobilitätspreissystem, sondern parallele Ansätze für verschiedene Verkehrsträger.
-> Mobilitätsverhalten kann nachhaltig gesteuert werden, indem die Preise für alle Verkehrsträger optimiert und auf gemeinsame Ziele ausgerichtet werden.
AutorInnen: Tanja Sinozic, Stefanie Peer, Mahshid Sotoudeh, Niklas Gudowsky
-> Long term food security has economic, environmental and social aspects and is essential for healthy nutrition and public health.
-> Scientific knowledge and actual dietary habits are very often not in line and nutrition related diseases are increasing in the population.
-> Sustainable food production is getting more attention, yet overall there are plenty of options for the Austrian food system to become more sustainable considering a long-term perspective and a global view.
-> Langfristige Ernährungs- und Lebensmittelsicherheit hat ökonomische, Umwelt- und soziale Aspekte und ist für gesunde Ernährung und öffentliche Gesundheit unerlässlich.
-> Zwischen Stand der Wissenschaft und tatsächlichen Ernährungsgewohnheiten herrscht oft eine hohe Diskrepanz. Ernährungsbedingte Krankheiten nehmen stetig zu.
-> Es gibt zahlreiche Ansatzpunkte, um das österreichische Lebensmittelsystem unter Berücksichtigung einer langfristigen und globalen Perspektive nachhaltiger zu machen.
-> More than 1000 citizens in eleven European countries discussed consumption policy within a standardised setting.
-> Citizens demand environmentally friendly, socially responsible and economically affordable products and services.
-> Their main opinion: policy-makers should take ambitious steps to foster sustainable and environmentally friendly consumption in Europe.
-> Über 1000 BürgerInnen aus elf europäischen Ländern diskutieren über Konsumpolitik im Rahmen eines standardisierten Beteiligungsverfahrens.
-> Die BürgerInnen fordern umweltfreundliche, sozialverträgliche und leistbare Produkte und Dienstleistungen.
-> Die Politik sollte aus Sicht der BürgerInnen ambitionierte Ziele verfolgen, um umweltbewussten und sozialverträglichen Konsum in Europa zu fördern.
-> What should the city of the future look like? How do we want to live in 2050? What will we eat? Citizens, experts and stakeholders answer these kinds of questions with the aid of CIVISTI, a new participatory method.
-> Laypersons’ and experts’ knowledge and creativity are cross-linked to include a variety of views whilst shedding light on questions relevant to the future.
-> Results broaden the basis for robust decisions and support long-term planning.
-> Wie soll die Stadt der Zukunft aussehen? Wie wollen wir 2050 leben? Was werden wir essen? BürgerInnen und Fachleute beantworten diese Fragen mit Hilfe von CIVISTI, einer neuen Beteiligungsmethode.
-> Das Wissen und die Kreativität von Laien und Fachleuten werden verknüpft, um zukunftsrelevante Fragen aus unterschiedlichen Perspektiven zu beleuchten.
-> Die Ergebnisse schaffen die Basis für robuste Entscheidungen und unterstützen eine langfristige Planung.
Tel.: (+43-1-) 51581-6590
Fax: (+43-1-) 51581-6570
Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna
msotoud(at)oeaw.ac.at
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