Meru University of Science and Technology Research Ethics Review System: A SWOT Analysis

The objectives of this article are as follows: 1) to propose a university research ethics system framework, 2) to provide a brief anatomy of the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) Institutional Research Ethics Review Committee (MIRERC), 3) to perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of MIRERC, and 4) to make recommendations for improving its performance. The 13-member multi-disciplinary MIRERC was established in April 2017 to provide effective ethical oversight of research undertaken by the University’s scholarly community. Strengths of the MUST research ethics review system include a functional MIRERC, a pertinent national law and ethical guidelines, an Innovation and Enterprise Centre that could house a dedicated MIRERC Secretariat, and a supportive University Management Board. The weaknesses include lack of graduate schools to assure scientific rigor of proposals before submission to the MIRERC, lack of research ethics training in most school’s curricula, absence of a dedicated MIRERC Secretariat, undergraduate research proposals being not ethically reviewed, dearth of faculty trained in research ethics, and lack of an operating budget for MIRERC work. The opportunities include existence of about 22 accredited Institutional Research Ethics Review Committees (IRERC) in Kenya, existence of international standards and operational guidance for ethics review, availability of guidelines and codes of best ethical practices in research, existence of a free automated platform called Research for Health Innovation Organizer (RHInnO) Ethics for managing the ethics review process, and availability of external resources for strengthening IRERCs. In order to improve the performance and sustainability of the MUST research ethics system, there is need to include research ethics training in all undergraduate and post-graduate curricula, create a dynamic database of potential research ethics reviewers, allocate a percentage of the annual MUST research budget for MIRERC operations, charge a graduated fee for proposal ethics review, require all students’ and faculties’ internal and external research proposals be cleared by the MIRERC, and use the RHInnO Ethics platform to manage the ethics review process.

Science and Technology Associations and Social Governance of Britain in the Middle and Late 19^(th) Century

Civil science and technology associations have been widely springing up everywhere in Britain, especially the new industrial towns in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Associations held various academic activities, organized and funded scientific research, which played an important role in promoting the progress of science and technology and the development of industrial society. Based on case study on British Association for the Advancement of Science and Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society by academic circles at home and abroad, development situation of British science and technology associations in the middle and late 19^(th) century is summarized, and a series of activities of associations participating in industrial and agricultural development and environmental health reform are systematically sorted out, while the promoting role of science and technology associations in the social development of Britain in the 19^(th) century is explored.

Ethical Principles and Governance Technology Development of AI in China

Ethics and governance are vital to the healthy and sustainable development of artificial intelligence(AI).With the long-term goal of keeping AI beneficial to human society,governments,research organizations,and companies in China have published ethical guidelines and principles for AI,and have launched projects to develop AI governance technologies.This paper presents a survey of these efforts and highlights the preliminary outcomes in China.It also describes the major research challenges in AI governance research and discusses future research directions.

On Innovation of Coordinative Development Mechanism of Science and Technology Park with Surrounding Areas under Promotion of the Government——Case Study on Three Science and Technology Park in Dongguan

Science and Technology Park, which plays a very important role in promoting rapid development of regional economy, has enjoyed various preferential policies in its unique development since China’s reform and opening up, which oppositely shows that the government has overlooked development outside the park and resulted in negative competition between the science and technology park and surrounding areas in resources and industry development, etc. Therefore, it is necessary and urgent to overcome the existing obstacles against coordinative development between the park and surrounding areas, to explore paths where the two can development coordinately and to achieve new breakthrough and innovation in coordinative development in subject, object, platform and mechanism.

Chinese science diplomacy in Arctic climate governance based on a survey and interviews with Chinese scientists

Science diplomacy is attracting increasing attention in the international relations literature.This study investigates how Chinese scientists understand this term and explores China’s dynamic praxis in Arctic climate governance.It conducts a theoretical and practical examination of science diplomacy in terms of three dimensions—science in diplomacy,diplomacy for science,and science for diplomacy—thus achieving a high degree of consistency.A multi-method approach,combining qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and involving the adoption of a literature review,participant interviews,and questionnaires,is adopted.Data were collected from interviews with 16 Chinese scientists involved in Arctic climate governance and from 130 valid questionnaires collected from Chinese natural scientists working in the climate change field.Drawing on qualitative and quantitative findings,the study reveals that the three-dimensional framework of science diplomacy can provide insight into Chinese scientists’understandings of the topic.In contrast to the participants’vague theoretical responses,the outlines of China’s Arctic climate governance can be clearly identified within this framework.The study concludes by underlining the tension between theory and practice in terms of science diplomacy and highlighting the emerging challenges for China in developing its Arctic science diplomacy against the background of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict.Moreover,it is suggested that,to further develop China’s Arctic science diplomacy,it is vital to take account of the deficiencies in China’s science diplomacy.The study’s empirical results contribute to an understanding of the dynamic nature of science diplomacy in the Chinese context.

Sci-tech Progress and Human Rights Development——Review of the 2022·China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights

The 2022·China-Europe Seminar on Human Rights,successfully held in Wuhan and Vienna on May 10,2022,was sponsored by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Austria-China Friendship Association and organized by the Institute for Human Rights Law of Huazhong University of Science and Technology,the National Human Rights Education and Training Base,and Austria-China Law Association.Scholars at home and abroad conducted extensive exchanges on the conceptual guidance and practical experience of actively promoting the balanced development of scientific and technological innovation and human rights protection,and discussed the problems and countermeasures in the practice of human rights protection in in relation to the advances in science and technology.The meeting reached a consensus on respecting and protecting human rights in the era of science and technology having become a new trend and new feature in the development of human rights amidst the collision of different viewpoints and the exchange of multi-party dialogues.It also further advocated that all countries actively carry out international cooperation in the field of science and technology,so that science and technology can make greater contributions to promoting the development of human rights in the world and building a community with a shared future for human beings.

面向智慧教育的技术伦理取向与风险规约

当前,智能技术与教育的全过程融合正推动教育方式发生深刻转变,同时衍生出算法歧视、技术滥用、隐私泄露和教育主体错位等技术伦理风险,如何规避风险以最大化享受智能技术红利成为智慧教育发展的重要议题。为此,文章首先分析技术伦理相关报告文件,刻画智慧教育在智能技术、教育主体、教育数据和教育监管四个向度的技术伦理取向;然后,文章剖析“教-学-管-评-练-研”六大智慧教育典型场景下的差异化技术伦理风险表征,将其产生根源归为技术工具失信、教育实践失范和师生素养不足三个层面;最后,文章从技术升级、风险管理、问责监管、数据流动和素养提升角度给出风险防范与治理建议,助力智慧教育健康可持续发展。

科技治理范式下的人才评价:理论指向与实践进路

当前,以科技管理范式为应然的人才评价体制机制相对滞后于科技治理改革实然,导致人才评价实践中衍生诸多问题,亟需建立符合科技治理需要的人才评价体制机制。但是,由于科技治理的理论内涵尚未厘清,对于人才评价改革实践的指导作用有限。为阐明科技治理时代的人才评价实践进路,本文首先从目标、行动、话语、组织、规范5个维度对科技治理的理论内涵进行解构。在此基础上,明确了科技治理时代的人才评价应将创新生态系统建设作为评价目标、以网络结构重塑评价主客体关系、面向合作重构人才评价标准、以平等对话改良评价方式、在行动中规范人才评价过程。

积极伦理观下算法歧视治理模式的革新

算法技术已借助大数据技术被广泛应用,成为影响人们日常生活的重要角色,其也因技术中立性不断遭受现实挑战而呈现出事实上的歧视性。重新审视算法歧视及其治理路径是发挥算法积极作用、避免算法消极影响的重要前提。传统伦理观念影响下的算法歧视治理模式存在价值观念偏航、治理结构失衡及技术治理落后的问题,影响算法歧视治理实效。社会发展促进了伦理观念的革新,积极伦理观的树立可以为算法技术向善的实现提供理论指引。算法治理结构的优化及反歧视技术水平的提高是纠正算法歧视的重要前提,理念、制度及技术三维措施的综合运用方可在算法领域实现科技向善的伦理目标。

前沿科技的深层次伦理风险及其应对

当前,生命科技和人工智能等前沿科技的伦理风险日益引起国际社会的高度关切,我国的科技伦理治理正在走上制度化发展之路。为了更好地推进我国科技伦理治理工作,我们必须切实把握作为科技伦理治理重点的前沿科技的特征,揭示其所呈现出的一系列深层次伦理风险,从而进一步加强对科技社会系统的结构性特征的理解,探索和重构风险认知的底层逻辑。其一,充分认识新兴科技驱动的科技社会系统的革命性变化,以此理解前沿科技深层次伦理风险的结构性实质。其二,立足前沿科技伦理治理的开放性实践,将科技伦理的风险认知和规范视为相关群体不断更新的集体认知和工作假设。其三,强调前沿科技风险认知的系统性与可塑性,赋予科技和创新更大的可能性空间。由此,我们可以得出树立科学认知的伦理边界、设置合理的伦理法律门槛、形成具有开放性和整体性的治理机制、增进公众科技伦理素养以及遵循相称性原则等面向深层次科技伦理风险的预控和应对之道。

人工智能时代科学博物馆应对策略的再认识

围绕人工智能(AI)技术在科学博物馆教育活动、展陈设计、运营管理和研究收藏等方面带来的全方位变化,详细讨论了这些变化的具体方式与特征,包括个性化学习、数字化展陈和数据驱动的管理,并提出了一系列应对策略,旨在助力科学博物馆有效利用人工智能技术,包括培养跨学科教育团队、创新教育内容与方法、强化用户体验、构建智能化管理系统等。最后,对AI在科学博物馆场景的未来发展趋势进行了前瞻性思考,探讨了科学博物馆在社会教育中的新角色以及伦理和法律问题,对科学博物馆的未来发展进行了展望,认为其将在数字化、智能化的道路上实现可持续发展,为社会教育事业做出更大贡献。

医学伦理学对科技伦理治理的贡献与新作为

《关于加强科技伦理治理的意见》的出台,标志着中国科技伦理治理体系进入新阶段。中国科技伦理的研究与实践是沿着两条进路开展的。一条进路是从一般伦理原理出发,推导出具体科学和实践的规则;另一条进路是从科学研究的问题和科学技术事件和案例出发,逐步形成针对科技过程中某一类特定现象或问题的伦理治理原则与共识。医学伦理学研究也是这样形成医学道德传统和现代生命伦理学传统的。在伦理治理实践中,医学伦理走在科技伦理的前列,形成了科技伦理研究与发展的“先行区”、伦理审查建制化“探索者”和科技伦理治理的“示范区”。伦理治理意见的出台不是医学伦理治理研究的终点,医学伦理学需要有新的作为。一是对医学伦理学理论基础和方法论的再思考,坚持马克思主义理论的指导。二是对两条研究进路的再思考,两条道路平衡发展互相支撑。三是对伦理与法治关系的再思考,不断提高伦理治理法治化水平。

科技助力体育的时代背景、现实困境与路径优化

在科技赋能的时代背景下,科技已成为体育领域优化和升级的重要驱动力。理清科技助力体育领域的外在条件与内生需求,科技推动体育发展变化的动力逻辑、运动场景需要的应用逻辑及体育产业转型的变革逻辑;着重以透过客观事实探究问题本原,剖析体育科技研究与应用困境的主要表现、重要问题和本质原因;在紧抓自身治理与侧重社会协同的内外路径下,结合政策手段提出综合思路对策,以此引导支持科技助力体育,持续推进体育发展。目前,体育科技战略体系在依托现有社会经济基础与分配关系上,无法支撑其克服研发应用的粗放局面,以实现长效稳态运行,这一问题解决对于体育领域各项工作能否有效实现社会化与市场化亦至关重要。在治本上,应加强民生建设,壮大实体经济,完善分配机制,合理制度安排,实现体育与民生联动发展;在治标上,集中体育科研力量于专门分工具体领域,再过渡覆盖到整个体育领域,研发体系重视基础科学研究、完善成果转化和人才绩效的评价机制。

伦理先行:生成式人工智能的治理策略

生成式人工智能的迅猛发展为数字经济发展提供新动力,为社会民生创造新福祉,同时也引发了一系列现实挑战。中国现行立法已为生成式人工智能的发展划定了基本的安全保障底线,但该技术的发展方向和产业发展均处在高度不确定性当中,部分安全风险可能是被制造的焦虑,以国家立法形式进行规制为时尚早。生成式人工智能的治理需要伦理先行,坚持激励相容精神,为人工智能新技术新应用创新留下充分空间,以伦理治理的方式推动技术社区、产业群体、社会组织、社会公众、治理机构共同进行探索磨合,凝聚共识,待实践经验充足、立法时机成熟时,再将共识性规范纳入法律框架之中。

政府支出规模对创新的影响——促进抑或阻碍

自中国经济步入“新常态”以来,创新已然成为中国未来经济可持续发展的重要动力。本文首先在理论层面上分析了政府支出对创新的正向激励效应和负向挤出效应,然后基于2007—2017年中国269个地级市的面板数据,实证检验了中国政府支出规模的创新效应,意在探索有利于促进创新的政府支出规模和结构。实证结果表明,从整体上看,中国当前的政府支出规模对创新具有显著的正向促进作用,并且这一作用主要是由政府支出中的科学技术支出和福利性支出对创新活动的正向激励效应所驱动。与此同时,政府支出规模对创新的影响呈现出明显的地区差异和创新质量差异:在人均科学技术支出和人均福利性支出更多的东部与中部地区,政府支出规模的正向激励效应表现得更为显著;科学技术支出会同时促进高质量和低质量的创新活动,而福利性支出只促进低质量的创新活动。

社会信用治理模型选择:由风险预测制迈向行为积分制

模型是对实践的抽象化表达,内含实践的认知理念和价值判断。不同信用模型内含不同的信用治理理念并会产生不同的社会效果。风险预测制模型用于风险预测和秩序控制,在实际社会信用治理中产生过度收集数据、模型黑箱化、难以有效预测等问题。究其原因,在于技术设计过程未能有效反映治理需求,反而消解了人的主体性地位。社会信用治理需要从行为改变出发,迈向行为导向,转换治理范式。行为积分制模型以行为理论为支撑,通过将社区治理过程中的日常事项转化为积分激励事项,推动社区居民积极参与到社区经济、政治、社会、文化、生态等建设中,以共建推动共同治理,将共治行为转化为积分,进而实现治理成果的共享,提供了民主治理的新范式。在推动信用体系建设过程中,应更多考虑行为积分制模型的应用和推广。

儒家“藏礼于器”思想的伦理审视及当代启示

“藏礼于器”思想是儒家科技伦理思想的核心内容,同时也是我国古代造物制器的基本法则。在“藏礼于器”思想影响下,“器物”成为“礼制”的指示器和强化剂,二者呈现出一种双向互构的关系:一方面,器物是礼制的物化形态,器物的设计与使用要遵循礼制规定,礼制在器物中以物化的形态得以显现,另一方面,器物反作用于礼制,对礼制具有强化作用,发挥着重要的“无言之教”的道德教化功能。“藏礼于器”思想是极具中国文化特色的科技伦理思想资源,对于当代构建科技伦理治理的中国话语体系具有重要参考价值,经过创造性转化与创新性发展,仍然能够对当今科技伦理治理发挥一定的指导作用。

中国企业数字科技伦理发展:演变历程、最新进展与未来进路

数字科技的发展带来数字化与智能化的转变,数据安全、算法歧视、数字鸿沟以及直播乱象等伦理问题也随之出现,推动企业数字科技伦理健康发展成为重要课题。中国企业数字科技伦理的演进历程可以划分为三个阶段:2015年以前,网络与信息安全是科技伦理的早期体现;2015年至2021年,科技伦理被明确提出且将人工智能纳入其中;2022年至今,企业数字科技伦理内容细化与外延拓展。中国企业数字科技伦理所取得的进展主要体现为所关注的议题与时俱进,政府监管制度体系不断完善且监管机构设置不断跟进,企业自律性制度建设不断完善,开始建立科技伦理委员会并对外披露伦理治理情况,社会生态中行业组织、全民数字科技伦理教育和培训等广泛开展以及媒体监督作用不断增强等。然而,中国企业数字科技伦理治理仍存在数字科技伦理意识普遍缺乏、治理实践过于表面、监管制度供给不足、机构设置相对滞后以及教育薄弱等问题。针对以上问题,可以在数字科技伦理多元主体共治的总体思路引领下,从加强企业自律自治、政府强化监管、行业组织引导与支持、优化社会生态等层面来不断加强中国企业数字科技伦理治理,实现数字科技健康发展。

科技软实力说的由来与发展

当下中国进入了一个新的战略时期,讨论科技软实力问题需要站在理论与实践相结合的高度,并进行整体性的深入思考。随着科技软实力逐渐成为21世纪国际科技竞争的核心成分,把科技软实力研究置于战略的高度,已成为当下中国实现世界科技强国梦想的一个着眼点。尽管我国学术界在科技软实力概念的界定上与约瑟夫·奈的软实力概念阐释在历史逻辑上有衔接、所涉范围上有重合,但其已根据中国国情和发展战略的需要,从推进科技治理体系和治理能力现代化的视角,对约瑟夫·奈的软实力理论进行了推陈出新地丰富和拓展,与时俱进实现了概念的本土化。加强科技软实力研究,推动科技软实力建设,已迫在眉睫。

“道进乎技”的科技劳动伦理意蕴

“道进乎技”是道家技术思想的理论特质。道家将“道”的观念、“道”的气质、“道”的神妙渗透到技巧、技能、诀窍之中,发挥“道”的内在调节作用,促使技术操作者在充分发挥技术效能的同时,赋予技术丰富的人文伦理精神。道家科技劳动伦理要求:正确审视科技负作用,实现人与自然协调发展;遏制非自然欲望的劳动,追求科学生存之道;倡导劳动依循自然规律,祈求天人自然合一;实现“道”与“技”的最佳结合点,促使科技劳动成为一种自由而又合规律的劳动。“道进乎技”思想对于丰富现代科技劳动伦理有着重要的现实意义。