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task |
task title, detailed aims and exemplary research questions |
in SGASC relates to: |
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1 |
Towards improved management of societal change
improved tools, methods and techniques supporting decision-making in terms of
- overall socio-economic development
- sectoral, regional and other policies
- new forms and institutional arrangements for decision-making by…communities through dynamic learning processes
- critical linkages…between economic change and social objectives?
- are the conditions under which the cultural, historical and other diversities in Europe can promote economic competitiveness?
- Possible improvements in the social science knowledge base (concepts, indicators, predictions etc) – examine options for its improvement. Possible changes in current policy processes.
Apply to ‘knowledge society’. Organise through comparative research across regions/countries, cultural traditions/policy styles.
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Could SGASC 4.1.1 – theme Changing relations of knowledge and expertise come in here, in combination with aspects of the theme 4.1.4 Governance and institutional change? For example:
the emerging conditions of scientific practice – and especially the responsiveness of scientific institutions to public concerns, pressures and demands;
new interpretations of the relationship between science and public policy – including the operation of the precautionary principle and the burden of proof;
the role of new groups and organisations within ‘extended peer review’;
current ‘social experiments’ in science and democracy – to include consensus conferences, new forms of deliberative and inclusionary democracy, emerging methodologies of public inclusion, public consultation exercises, stakeholder engagement;
- studies of the responsiveness of current governance processes and institutional cultures (including expert advisory bodies, commissions and governmental scientific advisors but also corporate planning and strategic processes) to pressures towards greater accountability, transparency, and the broadening of external scrutiny and engagement.
The focus is more economic in the FP5 programme, however, and the orientation very instrumental.
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2 |
Individual and collective strategies in a changing society
Improve understanding of critical interactions between societal change and collective strategies in behaviour, choices, life-styles, with the aim of improving decision-making processes at various levels.
- Key issues for which there are important interactions between socio-economic environment and quality/style of life;
- Key relationships between changing society-individual interactions and increasing social risks of eg disruptive behaviours, social isolation, etc
Aim to establish a more harmonious relationship between participation in the labour force, sharing of caring and domestic work, quality of life? |
Issues of identity, self-actualisation and individual and collective action are important under our agenda but does this task as detailed give us an opportunity to pursue them? |
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3 |
Employment and Unemployment in Europe
Improve understanding of how employment can be generated in Europe…& how unemployment…reduced.
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No link. |
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4 |
Towards social cohesion in Europe
Improve understanding of the main causes and consequences of inequalities, their conditions and mechanisms of (re) production in Europe and to identify…responses to promote cohesion in Europe.
- Relations between economic performance and social cohesion
- Links between changing economic environment, macroeconomic policies and social objectives
- Impact of international competitiveness, deregulation, changes in labour markets on welfare systems, unemployment and inequalities.
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Again a link in principle:
SGASC 4.1.2 – theme science, citizenship and public engagement
- Research into the relationship between scientific citizenship and social exclusion (including that between social identity and perceived powerlessness). This would encompass issues of differential access to technical decision-making and public participation achieved by ethnic minority groups, people with a disability, the educationally disadvantages, older people and women.
but a different focus |
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5 |
New perspectives for learning
Research support for the promotion of education and cultural resources [through] partnerships between schools, family, work and local communities
- To bridge learning to work experience
- To combat social exclusion
- What may be the key features of teaching/learning at the ‘school of tomorrow’?
- Which new sets of additional competancies, values and attitudes are necessary in the knowledge society of tomorrow: ‘learning to learn’, social and communication skills, cultural and democratic values?
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Relates in principle to
SGASC 4.1.3 theme re-modelling science communication, especially
- new initiatives in science education and science communication – especially those designed to encourage a two-way relationship between public and scientific knowledges
but in practice link to task goals is weak |
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6 |
Governance, citizenship and the dynamics of European integration
identifying the key problems and opportunities of further integration into a wider Europe, taking into account the political dimension of the EU.
- Legitimacy and accountability
- Citizens’ participation in decision-making and the formation of citizen identities
- Institutional adaptability and innovation
- formation of a European public space
- what forms of institutional adaption and innovation could address both the ‘democratic deficit’ issue and the need for effective, efficient and equitable policy-making?
- Is legitimacy based mainly on direct participation or can representative and deliberative processes make a contribution?
- How do citizens relate to representative institutions at all levels, including the supranational?
In responding to this task, the development of comparative perspectives in relation to the current and prospective EU countries, as well as the analysis of the EU as a distinct entity, are encouraged. |
In principle closest link, particularly with themes 4.1.2 Science, citizenship and public engagement and 4.1.4 Governance and institutional change:
- the changing character of ‘scientific citizenship’ within contemporary society – including the relationship between current citizen concerns and more traditional forms of democratic citizenship;
- research into the relationship between scientific citizenship and social exclusion (including that between social identity and perceived powerlessness). This would encompass issues of the differential access to technical decision-making and public participation achieved by ethnic minority groups, people with a disability, the educationally disadvantaged, older people and women;
- empirical investigation into processes of trust, confidence and ethical approval as judged by various social and institutional groups. Such investigation would include questions of the social and discursive construction of ‘ethics’ and ‘trust’ within particular contexts;
- the study of diverse participatory forms including consumer decisions and boycotts, ‘sub-politics’ (Beck) and direct citizen actions.
- current ‘social experiments’ in science and democracy – to include consensus conferences, new forms of deliberative and inclusionary democracy, emerging methodologies of public inclusion, public consultation exercises, stakeholder
engagement;
studies of the responsiveness of current governance processes and institutional cultures (including expert advisory bodies, commissions and governmental scientific advisors but also corporate planning and strategic processes) to pressures towards greater accountability, transparency, and the broadening of external scrutiny and engagement;
- constitutional questions of the relationship between direct participatory processes and public consultations, and more established forms of representative and parliamentary democracy;
- the construction and framing of ‘public opinion’ by institutional actors (including government, industry and campaigning groups). This will also include the relationship between social scientific evidence (for example, in the form of public opinion polls and market research exercises) and the policy process;
- the relationship between UK governance and global pressures (for example, international regulatory systems, industrial R&D networks, cross-national environmentalist alliances). This will include the relationship between industry, public groups and government in shaping the process and outcome of scientific innovation.
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7 |
The challenge of EU enlargement |
No link |