The Good Researcher: Responsibility, Discourse, and Environmentally Aware Research
ModulesThe Good Researcher: Responsibility, Discourse, and Environmentally Aware Research
This micromodule outlines how environmental and climate ethical considerations play a role in the different stages of research and innovation projects. By the end of the micromodule, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the rationale for an approach to research ethics that incorporates environmental ethics dimensions.
2. Reflect on what it means to be an environmentally virtuous researcher in one’s own specific field.
3. Relate environmental dimensions of research and innovation to various stages of professional practice and act accordingly.What is this about?
This micromodule outlines how environmental- and climate-ethical considerations play a role in the different stages of research and innovation projects (choice of topic, research design, conduct of research, dissemination and implementation of results, impact of work output on environment and society). It explains how responsibility for environmental implications of R&I can be attributed meaningfully, and what it means for professional conduct. As a key aspect, it introduces a virtue ethics approach to good R&I practice (as the micro-ethical dimension) and a deliberative discourse approach to environmental and societal impact (the macro-ethical dimension).
The micromodule challenges researchers to reflect on what it means to be an environmentally virtuous researcher in one’s own specific field. This is expected to sensitize researchers for their attitude and decision-making in academic and corporate R&I activities, both on the personal professional level and regarding the researcher’s role in tackling the wicked problems of our time. As such, this micromodule serves as an introductory unit for the various other micromodules that go into detail regarding either the professional conduct direction (research integrity) or the methodological aspects of multi-stakeholder discourses (sustainability, risk, ethical impact assessment, etc.) that researchers usually find themselves in.Watch: Environmental Dimensions of and in Research
Watch the following video and reflect on environmental consideration in and form research.
Draw the good researcher!
Take a piece of paper a draw the good researcher. What would characterise a good researcher, scientist, or innovator? What is in their hands, on their mind, in/on their clothes, or their equipment?
