Policy: Research, Innovation, and Technology Policy in Times of Geopolitical Competition

Report on the challenges faced by Europe’s established model of open science and technology.

The latest publication from the Expert Group on the Economic and Societal Impact of Research and Innovation (ESIR) examines how Europe’s established model of openness is being challenged.

Research, Innovation, and Technology Policy in Times of Geopolitical Competition calls for an open strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty to navigate an era of disruption, geopolitical tensions, climate challenges and technological revolution.

ESIR calls for a balanced approach of de-risking and responsible risk taking, which takes the different rationales for openness into account. Such a responsible risk taking is in the self-interest of Europe to tackle global challenges, to remain economically competitive, and to be able forge new geopolitical cooperation.

In order to keep the risk taking responsible, a systemic approach is needed to evaluate the risks, which links the different approaches to evaluate technological, economic and raw material dependency with the different rationales for openness and the different levels of risk.

In order to prepare, protect and transform Europe, this also requires new priorities for European science, research and technology policy, to ensure that Europe continues to reap the benefits of technology for sustainable competitiveness in the era of global technological and economic competition.