Public perceptions of responsible innovation: Validation of a scale measuring societal perceptions of responsible innovation in science and technology

Abstract

Today, boundaries between innovation, science, and technology have loosened, with innovation often driving technology built upon scientific discovery. This combination has brought us the internet, electric vehicles, and space exploration. But it has not all been good. The economization of innovation has contributed to social inequity, progressed autonomous weaponry, and put the ecological health of our planet at risk. For these reasons, the question of a responsible delivery of innovation has gathered momentum. The essence of Responsible Innovation lies in the pursuit of a moral and functional reciprocity between science and society. This pursuit has led to the establishment of principles and frameworks, however, there remains a need to measure Responsible Innovation in real-world settings, particularly through the eyes of society. This paper presents the psychometric validation of a new scale measuring Public Perceptions of Responsible Innovation. Tested with two samples (Wave 1: N = 4080; Wave 2: N = 2127), results demonstrate the scale's validity, including evidence of a four-factor model aligned with the concepts of anticipation, inclusion, reflexivity, and responsiveness. Further evidence of predictive validity suggests that the scale is fit for purpose as a measure capturing the essence of Responsible Innovation — science for and with society . • Responsible Innovation (RI) is motivated by the need to align science and technology with the values of society. • To date there is no validated quantitative measure of public perceptions of Responsible Innovation. • We present the development of a quantitative scale to measure Public Perceptions of Responsible Innovation (PPRI). • A psychometric evaluation demonstrates the PPRI scale’s reliability and validity. • The PPRI scale provides a tool to measure RI in the eyes of the people whom RI serves — the public.