Notes from an embedded humanist in a chemical innovation consortium

Over the past two decades, calls for transdisciplinary research have grown significantly, particularly within technologically driven innovation projects. A central response to this demand has been the inclusion of social scientists and humanities scholars (SSH) from the earliest stages of development; an approach commonly referred to as the "embedded humanist." Grounded in the recognition of non-technological neutrality, the approach tasks SSH with steering technological innovation toward responsible and socially desirable outcomes. Yet results remain mixed, with success often contingent on the individual dynamics of each project.

This contribution aims to open a conversation on the role and possibilities of the embedded humanist today. The presentation draws on the direct experience of being an (early career) embedded humanist within a chemical innovation consortium. The contribution is directed at early-career researchers addressing two interrelated topics: questioning and intervention. 

The first is examined through the value of "naïve" questioning, that is, the capacity to ask what others take for granted. This is inspired by the figure of the Greek theoros, the envoy who travels abroad to return with new insight. Through this metaphor, "naïve" questioning seeks to make tacit assumptions within the innovation trajectory explicit to relevant stakeholders. 
Naïve questioning is the entry point to the second, and more active step: thinking about what intervention can look like from an SSH perspective. I argue for the value of intervening at the level of the research community. This is where collaboration, coordination, and the enactment of visions mostly take place. 

Put together, these reflections aim to contribute to the evolving understanding of what it means for SSH scholars to work in proximity to places of power, such as technical universities and technological innovations trajectories, in times of crisis.

Part of panel The limits and opportunities of collaboration: finding our role as SSH researchers in transdisciplinary consortia - part 1