Call for Papers

EU-SPRI 2025 CONFERENCE CALL FOR ABSTRACTS AND PAPERS

Submission Deadline: 31 January 2025 (Overview Topics)

The 2025 Eu-SPRI Annual Conference will be hosted by the Social Research Center at TU Dortmund University in Dortmund, Germany, in collaboration with other groups within the university. The main conference will take place on 11 to 13 June 2025, with a preceding Early Career Event on 10 June.

Under the conference theme ‘Shaping Societal Futures with STI Policies’ the organising committee is now welcoming academic researchers from a broad range of disciplines, as well as STI policymakers, to submit proposals for paper and poster presentations. Submissions related to other topics around science, technology, and innovation policy (broadly defined) are also welcome.

Papers and posters for the conference will be prepared in a two-step process, with abstract submissions invited in the first step, and papers or posters invited in the second step.

Before finalising and uploading your submission on the conference platform, please read the following guidelines carefully.

CALL FOR PAPERS – GENERAL GUIDELINES

Click here to upload your Abstract

Authors are invited to submit an abstract by 31 January 2025 to one of the thematic conference tracks or to the open track, which will then be peer-reviewed. If the abstract is accepted, authors are required to submit their final paper/extended abstract or poster by 18 May 2025.

Abstract submission process
All submissions will be managed using the conference platform. Author(s) must insert a 600-1200 word abstract that contains specific information (as detailed below) into the submission form on the conference platform. During that submission, authors will be able to add information related to their submission, including all author(s) details, selection of the presenting and corresponding author, the preferred format of their presentation, and the selected track that best relates to their submission.

Presentation format
We ask authors to select a presentation mode from two formats:
• paper presentations
• poster presentations.

The organisers will make every effort to accommodate your preferred format on the programme, however, please note that final confirmation of the format of your presentation is subject to capacity and there is a chance that you will be asked to present in a different format.

Presenting author
Please note that authors are expected to present no more than one submission at the conference, although an author may complete more than one submission as co-author.

Multiple submissions
If you wish to submit several abstracts, each submission will need to be completed separately.

Abstract review
Abstracts will be evaluated through a review process by members of the conference’s organising committee as well as the track and session coordinators. The conference organising committee expects that authors will be notified of acceptance/rejection by 28 February 2025. Please kindly note that the decisions of the conference organising committee are final.

Final submission
Inclusion in the programme of your final paper/extended abstract or poster is subject to:

uploading a final submission by 18 May 2025, 23:59 CEST, and
at least one author registering for the conference by 13 April 2025, 23:59 CEST.

OUR CONFERENCE PAPER SUBMISSION SYSTEM
Abstract submissions are now open! To submit your abstract, please create a free account and submit your abstract by following the abstract submission link.

We will be regularly updating the Eu-SPRI 2025 conference platform with further information, so please stay tuned.

When submitting your abstract via the conference platform, you will be prompted to select or add information that relates to your submission. Please ensure you complete each step in order for your submission to be concluded.

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Abstracts should be submitted via the abstract submission link in the input box provided.
Authors should prepare abstracts of no longer than 600 – 1200 words (including references)
Author(s) will be asked to provide the following information in the online form:
1. Title of submission
2. Title of your preferred special session or track (or if none – choose open track)
3. List of co-authors
Abstracts should include the following aspects:
1. Keywords
2. Clear research question
3. Conceptual literature
4. Methods (if applicable)
5. (Expected) results
6. Conclusions
7. Policy implications (optional)

Please note that no author information should appear within the abstract for review.

Abstract format
All authors are asked to express a preference regarding the presentation format from these presentation formats:
• Paper presentation
• Fully designed poster presentation (for a poster session)

All authors will be asked to submit an abstract of 500 to 800 words for this first stage, irrespective of the presentation format selected.

Conference topic
Authors are invited to submit their abstract to one of the conference tracks (you find them under ‘Topics’ on the conference platform).

You may select from two suggested Topic groups:

• Tracks of sessions organised by scholars in the field (Topic Group A: thematic tracks), or
• Open Track (Group B) option.

Under the ‘Open Track’, we invite submissions from a wider thematic sphere that do not fall under any of the Topics suggested by the thematic tracks listed above A. The organisers will create ad-hoc thematic tracks for accepted submissions in the Open Track.

Keywords
When submitting your abstract, you will be required to add up to 3 keywords that best describe your submission. Please use a semi-colon (;) to delimit your selected keywords and/or short phrases.

Topic Overview

Topic 01
Circular Economy as a desirable Societal Future? Navigating Sustainability, Resilience, and Innovation

Author: Antonio Gennaro Isopp, Marlon Philipp, Kay Kohaupt-Cepera, Johannes Weyer

Keywords: Circular Economy, Impact Assessment, Polycrisis, Production and consumption practices, Social or technical innovation

Topic 02
Transformative Innovation Policies and Social Innovation: Taking stock and moving forward

Author: Alejandra Boni Aristizabal, Cédric Gossart, Álvaro Baldor Martinez; Sergio Belda Miquel

Keywords: Transformative Innovation Policies; Social Innovation; Sustainability transformation; Ecosystems; Digital social innovation; Resilience; Social practices; Systemic changes

Topic 03
Industry 5.0: A Concept for Looking at Industry 4.0 from Societal Perspective

Author: Antonius Schröder, Ralf Kopp, Clara Rieke Behrend

Keywords: Industry 5.0, Circular Economy, Sustainability, Resilience, Human-Centricity

Topic 04
The role of social innovation in shaping societal futures

Author: Rick Hölsgens, Jürgen Howaldt, Karina Maldonado-Mariscal, Bonno Pel, Doris Schartinger, Klaus Schuch, Matthias Weber, Marthe Zirngiebl

Keywords: Critical perspective¸ Comprehensive innovation policy; Grand Societal Challenges, Impact Assessment, Social Innovation, Societal Transformation

Topic 05
Governing and designing emerging energy technologies in a multi-crises world: towards responsible and just futures

Author: Efi Nakopoulou, Kornelia Konrad, Stathis Arapostathis

Keywords: governance of emerging energy technologies, responsible technology design, just futures, multi-crises, multi-regime dynamics/interactions.

Topic 06
Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies for sustainability transition in the cultural and creative sectors

Author: Monica Edwards-Schachter, Chuan Li, Shefali Virkar, Charalampos Alexopoulos

Keywords: Citizen participation in public policies and innovation processes, Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries, Socio-technical transitions and systemic change, Emerging technologies and governance

Topic 07
The Role of Universities in Shaping Societal Futures

Author: Anna-Lena Rose, Liudvika Leišytė

Keywords: Contributions of universities to increase resilience, Societal engagement of universities, Transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary societal problem solving practices, Social Innovation, Social impact

Topic 08
As Open as Possible, as Closed as Necessary – Negotiating the Relationship between Open Science and Research Security in European Science and Technology Policy

Author: Andrew James, Kieron Flanagan, Tommy Shih

Keywords: Balance the open dissemination of knowledge with the protection of critical research assets, International dimensions of both openness and security in science policy, Nature of academic freedom, Regulatory frameworks

Topic 09
Creating societal benefit through research-policy engagement

Author: Bastian Rake, Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Luisa Veras de Sandes-Guimaraes, Daryna Dvornichenko, Magnus Gulbrandsen, Johannes König, Oscar Llopis, Peter McNamara, Susanna Menis, Olga Ryazanova

Keywords: Collaboration between academic researchers and policymakers, Co-creation of knowledge, Impact assessment, Societal impact through engagement, STI policies and other policies

Topic 10
Fostering European Preparedness Through Place-Based Innovation. The Territorial Dimension of the Dual-Use and Defence Industry

Author: Carmen Sillero, Davide Magagna

Keywords: Place-Based Innovation; Niinisto Report; Preparedness

Topic 11
Integrating AI in Science and Innovation Policy: Opportunities and Risks

Author: Arash Hajikhani, David Howoldt, Philip Shapira, Liangping Ding, Cornelia Lawson, Torben Schubert, Andreas Hummler, Carsten Schwäbe, Bernd Beckert, Benedetto Lepori, Catherine Beaudry, Davide Pulizzotto, Daniele Rotolo, Milad Abbasiharofteh

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, global perspective, ethics

Topic 12
Governing the Use of AI in Scientific Research

Author: Laurens Hessels, Anne van Doore, Kieron Flanagan

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, risks, scientific integrity

Topic 13
‘Counter-Hegemonic’ Policy-Frameworks for Innovation

Author: Tiago Brandão, Rick Hölsgens

Keywords: Common Innovation, Convivial Innovation, Grassroots Innovation, Social Innovation, Frugal Innovation

Topic 14
Advancing Accessibility: Interdisciplinary Pathways and Multiple Perspectives

Author: Jennifer Eckhardt, Katrin Bauer, Christoph Kaletka

Keywords: Accessibility, Social Innovation, Inclusion

Topic 15
Societal Futures Without Renewable Technologies? Rejecting or Exiting from Transitions to Renewables

Author: Ewert Aukes, Peter Stegmaier

Keywords: Renewable Technologies, Rejection, Discontinuation, Sustainability

Topic 16
Living Labs as a Bridge Between Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policies and Actual Social and Environmental Impact

Author: Fatima Canseco-Lopez, Marta Martorell i Camps, Dimitri Schuurman

Keywords: STI policies; Living Labs; Co-creation; Open Innovation; User Innovation; Responsible Innovation; Innovation Ecosystems

Topic 17
How Can We Change Organisations Through Innovations?

Author: Peter Biegelbauer, Gudrun Haindlmaier, Petra Wagner, Stephanie Daimer, Ralf Lindner, Stefan Philipp, Jannika Mattes, Mika Nieminen, Santtu Lehtinen

Keywords: Institutional Change, Entrepreneurship, Organisational Innovation

Topic 18
Goal- oriented transformative change (GOTC) processes, defined as system- transforming processes, aimed at addressing current or expected future societal challenges

Author: Attila Havas, Matthias Weber, Masafumi Nishi

Keywords: Goal-Oriented Transformative Change, System Transforming Processes, STI Policy, Innovation Systems Thinking, Foresight

Topic 19
From (in)dependence towards resilience: tensions and synergies between open strategic autonomy and transformative research and innovation policies

Author: Esther Baar, Chris Eveleens, Jasper Deuten, Matthijs Janssen, Wouter Boon, Paula Kivimaa, Jakob Edler

Keywords:Strategic Autonomy, Challenge-Driven Research and Innovation, International Research Collaboration, Academic Freedom, Power, Participation

Topic 20
Wicked problems, just solutions: Deliberating place-based approaches for system transformations

Author: Stuti Haldar, Philipp Späth

Keywords: Agency Paradox, Development Policy, Place-Based Approaches

Topic 21
Shaping Post-Growth Futures with STI Policies?

Author: Riina Bhatia, Nina Rilla, Mika Nieminen, Matti Pihlajamaa

Keywords: Post-Growth, Innovation Policy, Sustainability, New Value Creation

Topic 22
Tackling transition voids in the triple transition

Author: Amber Geurts, Gijs van Houwelingen, Irene Jonkers, Katharina Cepa, Rachel Kuijlenburg, Fieke Jansen, Shanita Rambharos

Keywords: Triple Transition, Transition Voids, IT Sector

Topic 23
Academic policy support of social innovation for sustainable transitions

Author: Malin Lindberg, Lucas Haskell, Maria Wolmesjö, Per-Anders Hillgren

Keywords: Higher Education Institutions, Social Innovation, Engaged University Model, Sustainable Transitions

Topic 24
Effectiveness and limitations of public procurement in achieving the intersecting policy goals of a changing Europe

Author: Anne Rainville, Matthijs Janssen, Bastian Krieger, Elvira Uyarra, Pelle Berkhout

Keywords: Public Procurement, Democracy, Resilience, Sustainability, Open Strategic Autonomy

Topic 25
Shaping Societal Futures and Transformative Change with Standardisation

Author: Paul Moritz Wiegmann, Knut Blind, Jaime Bonnin Roca, Jussi Heikkilä, Kai Jakobs

Keywords: standardisation, transformative change, societal futures

Topic 26
Critical Approaches and Alternative Policy Models for Innovation

Author: Carolina Bagattolli, Gabriela Bortz

Keywords: STI policies, x-innovation, policy agendas

Topic 27
Stimulating acceleration and avoiding deceleration of transformation: Concepts, challenges, empirical evidence and best practices

Author: Florian Wittmann, Annegret Stephan, Ralf Lindner, Jakob Edler, Alejandro Nuñez-Jimenez, Jonathan Köhler, Aline Scherrer, Carsten Schwäbe, Henning Döscher

Keywords: Acceleration of transformation, transformative innovation policy, transformation

Topic 28
Coping with multiple accountability commitments within transdisciplinary research, policy and funding

Author: Sophie van der Does, Anne-Sophie Schaltegger

Keywords: transdisciplinary research, interdisciplinarity, applied research

Topic 29
From theory to practice: Crafting effective and mission-oriented innovation policies

Author: Eugenia Castrillón

Keywords: mission-orientation, policy mixes, best practices

Topic 30
Resilient missions for resilient societies

Author: Stephanie Daimer, Florian Roth, Carsten Schwaebe, Andreas Hummler

Keywords: Societal resilience, mission-orientation, Europe

Topic 31
Between Industrial policy and mission-oriented innovation policy: Navigating transformative change between competing policy ambitions

Author: Barbara Hedeler, Lasse Bundgaard, Matthias Weber, Carolina Resende Haddad, Wolfgang Polt, Elvira Uyarra

Keywords: mission-orientation, transformation, transformative policies, policy mixes

Topic 32
Bio-sociotechnical Systems: integrating sociotechnical and biological systems in policy

Author: André de Campos, Janaina Pamplona da Costa, Renan Leonel

Keywords: STI policies, bio-sociotechnical systems, systemic change

Topic 33
Behavioural dynamics and system innovation

Author: Carlos Montalvo, Jordi Molas-Gallart, Jürgen Howaldt, Caroline Resende-Haddad

Keywords: innovation policy, transformative change, behavioural additionality, systemic interactions, value driven policy

Topic Overview

OPEN TRACK