Examining the inclusion of ethics and social issues in bioscience research: concepts of ‘reflection’ in science

Research and technology development is increasingly accompanied by a form of participatory technology assessment. These processes often encourage scientists to demonstrate reflection on the wider social and ethical implications of their research, and encourage engagement with stakeholders and the wider public. A notable body of academic research has resulted in the development of new ‘tools’ and proposals for when these should be used (e.g. upstream engagement, participatory methods, etc). However, there still appears to be conflicting views on what tools should be used, when they should be used and by whom, as well discussions of what is and should be the value or ‘impact’ of these processes. There are a number of reasons why there appears to be disagreement over these issues but one notable contributing factor may be that it is often unclear what actually constitutes ethical and social reflection in practice. In addition, little appears to be known about the views of a significant set of practitioners, the scientists, who are being asked to ‘reflect’. In addition research funders are requiring further processes to be embedded, such as the impact agenda. In light of these issues it is important to get a better understanding of these activities. This paper will (1) initially review some of the history and drivers for these processes, using the UK as a case study; and then (2) go on to examine important elements of the reflection and engagement ‘toolbox’; before finally (3) setting out a series of questions that need to be further examined using bioenergy as a case study.