The Initiative for Science, Society, and Policy (ISSP) aims to help make science and technology integral components of societal planning and public discourse.
Effective participation in democratic government requires scientific literacy of all stakeholders, including governmental legislators, regulators, while the sciences also need to reflect on their role in society through an engagement in the civic processes. ISSP will integrate broad engagement with deep scientific expertise. Through specific projects, the Initiative aims to catalyze progressive and sustainable social change, by constructively engaging stakeholders, powerbrokers, and other key members of society, including the general public.
The Initiative currently has two active projects, one on regional sustainability, and another on living technology. Both projects have the following goals:
- build scientific and technological expertise
- promote responsible and informed discussion of ethical and social issues
- work with stakeholders and decision makers on specific policy recommendations
- promote socially responsible and sustainable business opportunities
The Initiative was originally created through the vision and support of the University of Southern Denmark and it is expected to grow into a consortium of universities and research institutions across Denmark and beyond. An international network of scientists and other professionals collaborate on Initiative projects, and constitute ISSP’s External Faculty. The External Faculty works together on projects by collaborating remotely and periodically meeting in Denmark.