Social dimensions: why do they matter for (digital) innovation in agriculture?
Dr Simon Fielke, Digiscape social dimensions project
A ‘5 minutes of science’ presentation by Simon Fielke, Digiscape Postdoctoral Fellow, Institutional change and digital agriculture, in Digiscape’s social dimensions project.
Why do we want innovation?
- Innovation can increase economic benefits of agricultural research – classic return on investment
- More importantly the process allows for discussion of systemic socio-environmental consequences
What is innovation in agricultural innovation systems?
- Innovation is not a product
- The social process is as important to achieving a vision
- This increasingly involves the facilitation of transdisciplinary approaches
What hinders this approach?
- Success is not guaranteed – innovation can be serendipitous
- It is resource intensive (time, energy, interaction, engagement) upfront
What are the benefits?
- Stakeholder networks share ownership
- As a result visions evolve
- Impacts are greater – longer lasting and potentially transformational.
Find out more about Digiscape’s social dimensions project.